Besides its traditional festivals, Barcelona hosts major international events in music, culture, technology and sport every year. Dates vary from year to year: always check official websites.
Music
- Primavera Sound (late May-early June): one of Europe's most important indie, rock, pop and electronic music festivals, at the seaside Parc del Fòrum.
- Sónar (June): the festival of electronic music and digital art, with day and night sections and the Sónar+D congress on creativity and technology.
- Cruïlla (July): an eclectic festival at the Parc del Fòrum, from rock to reggae.
- Barcelona Jazz Festival (autumn), one of the oldest in Europe.
- The seasons at the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Liceu opera house, and in summer concerts in gardens and courtyards, such as the Poble Espanyol festival.
Theatre and culture
- The Grec Festival (July): theatre, dance, music and circus all over the city, with the atmospheric open-air Teatre Grec on Montjuïc.
- Sant Jordi (23 April), the festival of books and roses.
- Nit dels Museus (May): a night of free entry to museums.
- The Sitges Festival (October), half an hour away, devoted to fantasy film (see the Sitges festival).
Technology and trade fairs
Mobile World Congress (late February or early March), the world's largest mobile and technology event, brings over a hundred thousand visitors to Fira Gran Via; hotels are extremely expensive during those days. Other big events include Smart City Expo, the ISE audiovisual show and the Motor Show.
Sport
- The Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, and MotoGP.
- The Barcelona Marathon (March) and the Cursa dels Bombers.
- FC Barcelona matches at the Spotify Camp Nou and Espanyol games.
- In 2024 the city hosted the America's Cup sailing race.
See also our Barcelona guide and accommodation tips.