Image courtesy of Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.
Made plans for summer? If you’re staying in the city, you won’t be alone. It should come as no surprise to most that Barcelona is fast transforming into the go-to destination for festival lovers, given Catalunya’s covetable combination of culture, great weather and an increasingly diverse concert circuit. Add the fact that it’s far more affordable than many of its European counterparts, and you have the makings of a musical mecca. So if you’re looking to expand your horizons while staying put this season, here’s a summary of all the summer music events taking place near you, from big-name gatherings to boutique takeovers.
Festival Jardins de Pedralbes
June 1-July 24, 2021, Jardins del Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona
Set in the beautiful gardens of a former royal residence, Festival Jardins de Pedralbes brings together international artists from a wide range of genres for a relaxed, family-friendly series of concerts. The event began nine years ago to celebrate the history and beauty of the gardens and to offer an escape from city life—even if just for an evening. There are more than 40 live shows throughout June and July, with highlights including Alan Parsons Live Project, Myles Sanko, Diego el Cigala and Miguel Ríos & The Black Betty Trio. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available exclusively through the festival website.
Image courtesy of La Pedrera.
Nits de Jazz at La Pedrera
June 4-July 30, 2021, La Pedrera, Barcelona
While not exactly a music festival, the Nits de Jazz roof-top concerts on Antoni Gaudí’s famous La Pedrera offer live jazz every Friday night in June and July. Take in the beautiful view under Barcelona's night sky as you sip on a glass of cava and allow the evening to wash over you. Tickets include a visit to Espai Gaudí, located in the iconic attic of Casa Milà, which takes you on a visual tour around the work of the amazing architect. The tour is followed by a drink on the roof terrace, an emblematic and evocative setting that invites you to experience the architecture, the night, the city and the music. Tickets and program information available on La Pedrera website.
Image courtesy of Casa Batlló.
Casa Batlló Magic Nights
June 29-August 26, 2021, Casa Batlló, Barcelona
Another roof-top concert venue worth mentioning in another of Antoni Gaudí’s iconic buildings is the Casa Batlló Magic Nights program. Offering live performances nearly every night in July and August, you can enjoy a drink in a unique open-air setting while listening to some of Barcelona's favorite jazz, soul, blues, flamenco and rumba ensembles. Entry includes the concert, your own table, a glass of cava and access to the “10D Experience” offering a unique way to experience this architectural wonder through new technological installations and intelligent devices. Schedule and tickets available online for purchase on the Casa Batlló website.
Image courtesy of Bachcelona Festival.
BACHcelona Festival
July 1-8, 2021, various locations in Barcelona
Launched in 2013 in homage to the great composer Johan Jebastian Bach, the BACHcelona Festival strives to bring Bach out of the somewhat stuffy setting of the concert hall and breathe some life into the rigid and dusty image we have of his work. The 18th-century German musician was a master of composition and improvisation, and this annual festival is dedicated to shining a light on his brilliance through an array of activities and concerts. The festival takes place in some of the most beautiful historical venues in Barcelona, including La Pedrera, Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi and Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available on the festival website.
Image courtesy of Festival Cruïlla.
Festival Cruïlla
July 8-10, 2021, Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona
Originating in Mataró in 2008 as a cycle of concerts, Cruïlla enjoyed immediate success, and in 2010 moved to Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum as a three-day festival. Although not as well-known as its bigger Barcelona counterparts, Cruïlla (meaning "crossroads'' in Catalan) has rapidly grown into a broad-spectrum festival, with a diverse program of global artists and local talent alike. This year’s headline performers include Natos y Waor, Two Door Cinema Club, Amalal, Izal, Leiva and many more. In addition to music, the festival offers food trucks serving up cuisine from around the world and artisan craft stalls. There is also plenty on offer for families—in previous years family friendly activities included circus acts, ball pits and model-making workshops. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available on the festival website.
Image courtesy of Nits del Fòrum.
Nits del Fòrum
July 16 to September 17, 2021, Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona
The always vibrant amphitheater of the Parc del Fòrum will once again be the open-air stage for live concerts and DJ sessions. The organizers of Primavera Sound have put together another Nits del Fòrum festival with an eclectic lineup featuring artists from flamenco to trap to big band. So far, featured artists this year include Rigoberta Bandini, La Prohibida, Bad Gyal and Ara Malikian. This mini festival running from July 16 to September 17 will combine gastronomy and live music concerts with a DJ session to close the night. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Check out the festival website for the lineup of acts and events.
Image courtesy of Share Festival.
Share Festival
July 17 to October 30, 2021, Palau Sant Jordi and Estadi Olímpic, Barcelona
Featuring urban and pop music with a number of Catalan artists in the line up, Share Festival is indeed a big party. But Share Festival isn’t just about music and having a good time. Its motto is: "the best path to happiness is sharing." With that in mind, the festival collaborates with a number of NGOs to provide festival goers the opportunity to learn about and actively participate in projects that address important issues such as climate change, human rights, gender equality and extreme poverty. Tickets can be bought on the festival website and must be purchased in advance.
Image courtesy of Mas i Mas Festival.
Mas i Mas Festival
July 29 to August 31, 2021, various locations in Barcelona
Most people accept that the options for cultural activities wane significantly in the heat and many can happily replace it with a nice, leisurely stroll to the nearest beach and indulge in a heat-induced coma for a month. But the Mas i Mas group bargained on there being a substantial portion of the population who didn’t appreciate the drought in things to do, and they’ve been answering those people’s wishes since 2003. For nearly every day in August the Mas i Mas Festival has something scheduled. Catering for a wide-range in musical tastes, Mas i Mas manages to provide for fans of jazz, techno, flamenco, classical, techno and groove. Details and tickets available on the festival website.
Image courtesy of DGTL Festival.
DGTL Festival
September 3-4, 2021, Parc del Forum, Barcelona
After incredible success in Amsterdam, the Dutch festival brand brought its industrial concept to Barcelona for the first time in 2015. Combining electronic music, outlandish stage production and innovative art installations, the futuristic festival was set up to fill a void in Barcelona’s summer festival calendar. But the festival is about so much more than just music, with a range of conceptual art performances and installations as part of its DGTL art program.
Another element that sets the DGTL Festival apart is its commitment to sustainability; DGTL strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Reusable hard plastic cups, renewable energy sources and the DGTL Trash Collective encourage festival-goers to recycle plastic waste. At the DGTL revolution market, you’ll find a variety of sustainable products including organic cotton T-shirts, reclaimed wooden picture frames, and pots made from bound earth and moss. Taking it a step further, the food on offer is sourced locally, 100 percent organic and meat-free, providing tasty veggie versions of classic street food dishes. Program details to be announced soon on the festival website.
Image courtesy of BAM Festival.
BAM Festival
September (Dates to be announced)
For over 20 years, the Barcelona Acció Musical (BAM Festival) has hosted an eclectic mix of world, indie, electronic, pop, rock and every genre of music in between. Each year, this iconic event coincides with La Mercè, Barcelona’s citywide festival, which sees the city come alive with music and performances throughout the weekend. Held at various open-air locations across the city such as Plaça dels Àngels, Plaça Reial and the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm, the festival will feature live music from local and international talent. Dates and program line up to be announced soon on the festival website.