From fireworks to street parties: a guide to summer events in Catalonia in 2022
All the know-how on when, where, and how you can visit some of the territories most fascinating events
With the Covid-19 pandemic seeming to relent in the last few months, owing to high vaccination rates, some of Catalonia’s biggest and most important cultural festivals are making a strong comeback, as they are finally able to operate unbridled by the epidemiological situation.
With this in mind, we have rustled up a festival guide for Catalonia this summer fit for any interest.
Festes majors
Festes majors are traditional local street festivals celebrated every year in every town of Catalonia – and some neighborhoods of big cities –, usually coinciding with the celebration of its patron saint.
Most of them take place in summer, not only featuring correfoc parades (where a group of individuals will dress as devils and light up fireworks), castellers (or human towers), but also free concerts in squares or by the sea in coastal towns.
Mataró Les Santes (Festa Major)
What: comedy shows, live music, fireworks, correfocs and parades "gegants" (meaning gigants).
Where: Mataró, near Barcelona
When: July 25-29
Tickets: €1 and can be bought from the tickets website
Llagostera (Festa Major)
What: flower and plant exhibitions outside the town’s church
Where: Llagostera, northern Catalonia
When: June 3-7
Tickets: none required
Valls (Festa Major)
What: human towers, family activities, concerts
Where: Valls, southern Catalonia
When: June 18-26
Tickets: none required
Fires of Blanes (Festa Major)
What: firework competition with five nights of displays, launched from the Sa Palomera rock in the town’s bay
Where: Blanes, on the Costa Brava
When: July 22-26
Tickets: none required
Festa Major de Gràcia
What: Barcelona’s most festive and welcoming street festival returns with street parties, concerts, competitions and workshops
Where: Gràcia neighborhood, Barcelona
When: August 15-21
Tickets: None required for most events, although some may require pre-registration for free
La Mercè Festival (Festa Major)
What: activities are organized to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady Mercy, including correfocs, human towers, projection shows, theatre performances and dances, with Rome being this year’s guest city.
Where: Barcelona
When: September 23 to 26
Tickets: None required
Sant Joan bonfires
What: to celebrate the summer solstice, fireworks and bonfires are lit all over the place, with other symbolic elements and customs, such as midnight bathing, herbs, songs, dances, cures and other ritual magic.
Where: All over Catalonia, with particularly large celebrations taking place in Barcelona, Girona, and Tarragona
When: June 23, on the eve of St. John’s day
Tickets: none required
Falles del Pirineu
What: in various towns in the Pyrenees area, a symbolic fire is brought down from the mountains and into the village, serving to purify the fields and forests
Where: Vall de Boí, in the Pyrenees
When: June 18 - July 23
Tickets: none required, although may be charged for parking. More information available on the website
Tarragona International Fireworks Competition
What: firework displays every night for five nights, launched from the Punta del Miracle peninsula, with a budget of €110,000
Where: Tarragona, southern Catalonia
When: July 6-9
Tickets: none required
Crime Novel Festival
What: round tables and live music to celebrate the crime novel genre in the Catalan language, with a prize up for grabs at the end
Where: Creixell, southern Catalonia
When: July 15-16
Tickets: none required
Llívia Magic Festival
What: fourth edition of magic festival, with four separate renowned magicians - Eduard Juanola, Melanie Màgia, Sergi Armentano and Les Dues Cares
Where: Llívia, in the Pyrenees
When: Every Saturday in July, from 6pm
Tickets: none required
Igualada Jazz Festival
What: Two weeks of jazz concerts aimed at promoting young talent in the genre, including a jazz picnic
Where: Igualada, central Catalonia
When: June 9-19
Tickets: prices vary depending on event, and can be bought from festival website
ViJazz de Vilafranca
What: the region’s infamous wine industry joins forces with the world of jazz, with concerts in the main town square, featuring performances from the likes of Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, Billy Cobham and Linley Marthe
Where: Vilafranca del Penedès
When: July 1-3
Tickets: none required
Cinema lliure a la platja
What: highly acclaimed independent films shown projected onto big screens on beaches all across Catalonia
Where: Palamós, Tossa de Mar, Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat, Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú and also in the inland
When: June 29 - August 11
Tickets: none required
Vic Oriental Cinema Festival
What: this Asian Summer Film Festival aims to present Asian culture through popular cinema produced in the countries of the continent
The Festival has several categories, such as a competitive section, retrospectives, children's screenings and themed nights.
Where: Vic, central Catalonia
When: July 19-24
Tickets: €40 for access to all paid-for sessions, and are available for purchase from event’s website
Barcelona Matsuri Japanese Festival
What: demonstrations of typical Japanese dances, live traditional music and Japanese painting; sale of articles and crafts from Japan; workshops for children; typical Japanese food stalls, and other activities
Where: Barcelona
When: June 4-5
Tickets: none required
Festival Grec de Barcelona
What: named after the Greek Theatre, the Grec festival is an annual cultural festival of dance, theatre and music festival with a select programme in various venues in the city
Where: Barcelona
When: June 29 - August 12
Tickets: prices vary depending on event, and ara available for purchase on festival website
Pride BCN
What: the annual LGBT pride festival and parade featuring conferences, street parties and concerts, including one from ‘Barbie Girl’ artist AQUA . This year focuses on the lesbian community under the hashtag #Bollomami
Where: Avinguda Maria Cristina, Barcelona
When: June 13-26
Tickets: none required
Rosalía concert
What: live performances from singer-songwriter hailing from the Catalan town of Sant Cugat del Vallès
Where: Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona
When: July 23 and 24
Tickets: from €106, available for purchase on the venue website
Stay Homas, Oques Grasses, Els Catarres in concert
What: three Catalan pop groups come together for a live performances
Where: Tarraco Arena, Tarragona
When: August 5
Tickets: from €38, available for purchase on Tarraco arena website
Summer music festivals
Aside from these concerts, summer in Catalonia this year features a huge range of amazing music festivals, such as Primavera Sound, Sónar and Cap Roig, with acts such as Dua Lipa, Gorillaz, Megan Thee Stallion and Sting all performing. Check out our complete guide for more information.
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