Music Festivals in Barcelona in 2022

Barcelona, the most visited city in Spain, isn't exactly a place that lacks things to do. Whether it's enjoying the unique architecture, sampling incredible food, delving into Catalan culture or spending some time on the city's best beaches, you could spend a lifetime here and never run out of things to do.

But if you want to experience the city's festival scene, the best music festivals in Barcelona are an exceptional way to spend some time in the city. You'll get to see everything from international artists to emerging talent to electronic vibes, and mixing it up with visitors and locals at a music festival brings a whole new dimension to a trip to Barcelona.

To make things easier on yourself, don't forget to drop off your bags at a suitcase storage in Barcelona. Traveling through the city to visit the best music festivals in the area isn't too difficult, thanks to Barcelona's excellent public transport system, which you can read more about here. Music lovers are guaranteed a great time at Barcelona's many festivals, so don't miss the chance to visit some of these great parties.

Primavera Sound

Held on the beach of Sant Adrià de Besòs, Primavera Sound is one of the best music festivals in Barcelona for those who want to enjoy good music with an excellent view. The lineup features both international and local talent, giving you a chance to explore new artists as well as enjoy favorites. With six stages and more than 200 performers, there's something for everyone at Primavera Sound.

Primavera Sound has grown to become a worldwide festival, with events held in Porto, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, and other cities throughout the world. This year, the Barcelona event will be headlined by Massive Attack, Pavement, Beck, The National, Gorillaz, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Tyler, The Creator. These huge international acts play the main stage from June 2 through to June 4.

As if that wasn't enough, the festival then returns for a second weekend from June 9 to June 11. Dua Lipa, Interpol, The Strokes, Lorde, and Megan Thee Stallion join the roster for the second weekend, making this truly a festival that has something for everyone. Additionally, Primavera Sound hosts another event from June 2 to June 12, Primavera a la Ciutat, which features smaller and more intimate sets by lesser-known artists.

In short, it's one of the biggest music festivals not just in Barcelona, but in Europe. Tickets are split depending on which weekend you want to visit, and you can expect to pay around €245 per weekend.

Barcelona International Jazz Festival

The Barcelona International Jazz Festival is one of the city's most popular music festivals and is certainly the longest. The Jazz Festival features events that take place throughout the year, running until October.

The festival features a wide range of jazz artists from all over the world, including both established names and up-and-coming talent. You can check out big names like The Roommates and the Harlem Gospel Choir along with independent artists from across Spain and around the world, making this a vital event for music lovers in the city.

With over 100 concerts taking place across various venues in the city, the Barcelona International Jazz Festival is a great opportunity to experience some of the best jazz music in the world. And with many concerts taking place in intimate venues, you're guaranteed an up-close and personal experience with the artists.

Tickets start at €15 for a single concert, but the price will depend on the artist and the venue, so keep an eye on the Jazz Festival website so that you're informed about what's going on.

Sónar Festival

The Sónar Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art is a cutting-edge music festival that takes place in Barcelona every June. The festival showcases a mix of established and emerging electronic talent, with over 400 artists performing across its various stages over three days.

Whether you're a fan of techno, house, dubstep, or anything in between, you'll find something to suit your taste at the Sónar Festival. And with its excellent location in the city center, it's easy to get to and from the festival each day.

This year, Sónar takes place from the 16th to 18 June. As well as a truly stunning line-up featuring dozens of DJs and electronic music pioneers, the festival also holds exhibitions, talks, and other events that celebrate creativity and technology as well as music. It's a festival that is guaranteed to get you thinking and get you inspired.

The festival is divided into Day and Night sections, but a €200 subscription gives you access to everything, and it's worth spending the money to explore all there is to do at this unique music festival.

Grec Festival

The Grec Festival is one of Barcelona's most popular summer festivals and takes place over three weeks in July. The festival features a wide range of cultural events, including theater, dance, music, and circus performances.

With over 200 events taking place across various venues in the city, the Grec Festival is a great opportunity to experience some of the best culture that Barcelona has to offer. And with many events taking place outdoors, you can enjoy the festival in the city's beautiful summer weather.

The festival takes its name from the Teatre Grec in Montjuic where it was first held, but the festival has outgrown its traditional venue to occupy additional locations throughout the city.

Barcelona Beach Festival

The Barcelona Beach Festival is one of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the city and happens in early July. The festival takes place on a purpose-built stage on Platja del Forum and features a mix of international and local DJs playing everything from techno and house to drum & bass.

Past headliners have included the likes of Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, and David Guetta, and with a huge dance floor and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Barcelona Beach Festival is not to be missed.

This year, the festival features legendary DJ Armin Van Buuren, Don Diablo, and Marshmello as headline acts, along with a great roster of up-and-coming talent both from Spain and from around the world.

A single ticket costs €84, and there are also VIP packages available for €200 which give you premium access to the best part of the front of the stage along with exclusive bathrooms.

If you're looking for a festival that's a little bit different, the Barcelona Beach Festival is definitely worth checking out. With a great mix of international and local talent, stunning views, and a huge dance floor, it's one of the best music festivals in Barcelona.

Cruilla Barcelona

Cruilla Barcelona is a three-day music festival that takes place in early July. The festival features a wide range of international and local artists, performing across its various stages.

This year, the festival runs from July 6-9 and features acts like Jack White and Duran Duran as headliners. It's also a great festival to attend if you want to see local Spanish acts and major performers in the world music genre. This eclectic festival offers a little something for everyone, so it's definitely one worth checking out while you're in Barcelona.

Vida Festival

Held in the stunning coastal town of Vilanova i la Geltrú, Vida Festival is a four-day music festival that takes place in early July. The festival features a wide range of international and local artists, performing across its various stages.

With its excellent location on the Mediterranean Sea, Vida Festival is the perfect place to enjoy some of the best music of the summer, while also taking in the stunning natural beauty of Catalonia.

Past headliners have included the likes of Lana Del Rey, The Libertines, and Blur, making it one of the must-see events on Barcelona's summer calendar. The festival sets itself apart by choosing a more natural setting in the woods outside Barcelona, and the tall trees not only provide great shade from the summer sun but also create a unique atmosphere for this festival. Featuring acts like Belle and Sebastian and Cat Power, this festival also goes out of its way to encourage homegrown local talent, so you'll find plenty of Spanish and Catalan acts in the lineup. Offering a more laid-back but still fun vibe compared to many of the other music festivals in the city, Vida is a family-friendly party that is well worth attending.

Rock Fest Barcelona

Rock Fest Barcelona is a three-day rock music festival that takes place in late July. The festival features a wide range of rock artists, both international and local, performing across its many stages.

With over 100,000 fans in attendance each year, Rock Fest Barcelona is one of the biggest rock music festivals in Europe. And with its excellent location just outside the city center, it's easy to get to and from the festival each day.

The 2022 edition of Rock Fest Barcelona is scheduled for 30 June until 2 July. This is the place to go for fans of metal, thrash, and both classic and hard rock. Headliners for this year include Manowar, The Dropkick Murphys, Megadeth, and KISS, and you can guarantee the atmosphere will be electric. Along with these huge acts, you'll get to experience some of the most exciting emerging acts in today's rock scene from around the world.

Planning to stay some more days in Barcelona?

Leaving aside the wealth of great music festivals there are in the city, Barcelona has plenty to offer no matter what time you choose to visit. If you have a long weekend in the city, check out our guide for the best way to spend three days in Barcelona.

This Catalan city is known for its great museums where you can learn more about the unique history of this fiercely independent region of Spain. It's also famous as the home of one of the world's best-supported soccer teams, FC Barcelona, and if you get a chance to attend a game while you're in the city, you should definitely take the opportunity to experience a cultural event like no other.

There's also the incredible architecture of Barcelona, much of it created by one of the city's most famous sons, Antoni Gaudi. The still-unfinished Cathedral of Sagrada Familia is an absolute must-visit while you're in the city, along with some of this legendary architect's other whimsical creations.

And if partying it up at the city's music festivals isn't enough for you, you'll be glad to know there are some truly unmissable things to do at night in Barcelona. Here, people stay out late no matter what time of year, and there doesn't need to be a music festival in town to justify a party.

Ultimately, whatever brings you to Barcelona, you're virtually guaranteed to have a good time. With great weather, beautiful scenery, incredible food, and no end of things to do, it's almost impossible not to fall at least a little in love with the city. So grab your tickets, pack your bags, and prepare to spend an unforgettable summer enjoying everything Barcelona has to offer.