If there's a country that knows its way around a festival or two, it's Spain.
Thanks to its mix of sprawling landscapes, buzzing cities, rich traditions - and, of course, its population of major music fans - the place is heaving with festivals. The only issue is figuring out which ones you're going to try out this year.
From the major festivals that define Spain's cultural calendar to the famous fiestas that fill the streets with carnival parades, we've rounded up the best moments in the Spanish festival calendar for 2024 to keep you in-the-know as we step into festival season.
Whether you're drawn to the rhythmic beats of the best music festivals in Spain or the traditional charm of its city-wide celebrations, we've got you covered.
What months are festivals in Spain?
Festivals in Spain are held throughout the year, but the peak season is from June to September, capitalizing on the warm summer weather.
How many music festivals are there in Spain?
Spain hosts hundreds of music festivals each year, ranging from large international events to smaller, local festivals celebrating various music genres. In 2021, the number of festivals held in Spain reached 874, and that number is closer to 900 for 2023.
What is Spain's biggest festival?
Spain's biggest festival, in terms of cultural significance and nationwide participation, is arguably the Carnival, especially celebrated in places like Tenerife and Cádiz. These festivities are marked by vibrant parades, intricate costumes, and lively music, attracting visitors from around the globe.
But if you're seeking music festivals, take a look at our Spain Music Festival calendar below.
Why are Spanish festivals important?
Spanish festivals are important for celebrating the country's rich cultural heritage, bringing communities together, supporting the arts, and contributing significantly to the local economy through tourism.
Spain Festivals and Carnival Celebrations
Spain offers a mosaic of famous festivals that stretch from the vibrant carnival celebrations of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the unique wine battle of the Haro Wine Festival in northern Spain. The Semana Santa (Holy Week), observed across the country from mid-March to Easter, is among the most profound religious festivals, drawing visitors into solemn processions and spiritual reflection for the whole of holy week.
One of the best-known Spanish festivals is the La Tomatina, an annual event held on the last Wednesday of August in Buñol, where festival-goers engage in the world's largest tomato fight. Similarly, the Feria de Abril (April Fair) in Seville transforms the city into a spectacle of traditional costumes, flamenco dancing, and horse-drawn carriages, celebrating Andalusian culture at its finest.
In San Sebastian, the San Sebastian Film Festival and the Semana Grande offer a blend of international cinema and local festivities, including traditional music and street parades. Jerez de la Frontera honors its city's patron saint during the Feria del Caballo, a week-long celebration featuring majestic horse parades and flamenco performances.
The Cordoba Patios Festival and Noche de San Juan showcase Spain's culture through the lens of community and tradition. The former invites visitors into private courtyards for a floral feast, while the latter marks the start of summer with beach bonfires and festivities.
San Isidro in Madrid and the Benicassim Festival highlight the diversity of Spanish festivals, from honoring the patron saint with folk music and theatre performances to celebrating modern music trends. The Fallas Festival in Valencia, with its giant paper mache figures, and the wine festival traditions of the Basque Country, further underscore the rich tapestry of Spanish culture.
Whether it's the religious festival of Semana Santa, the annual event of La Tomatina, or the cultural celebrations at the San Sebastian Film Festival, festivals in Spain are a testament to its vibrant culture and traditions. From the street parties of San Fermín in Pamplona to the solemnity of Holy Week, each festival offers a window into the soul of Spain, uniting Spanish families and festival goers in celebration of traditional festivals, popular festivals, and everything in between.
Best festivals in Spain for music fans
Fancy a music festival? Check out our recommendations below.
Blackworks Madrid 2024
March 22 – 23, IFEMA, Madrid, Spain
Blackworks Madrid is a beacon for the underground scene, pulling in a discerning crowd with its edgy lineup that spans techno to experimental.
The 2024 edition will be the festival's biggest yet, occupying two pavilions in the large IFEMA compound, and with a programme featuring 6EJOU, 9X9, Cera Khin, Charlie Sparks, I Hate Models, Nur Jaber, and a special b2b by SNTS and Paula Temple.
Mallorca Live Festival 2024
June 13 – 15, Mallorca, Calvià, Spain
Held at the Old Aquapark in Magalluf and set against the backdrop of sun-drenched beaches, Mallorca Live Festival is a real escape into musical bliss.
The lineup boasts legendary acts like Pet Shop Boys, Blondie, and Underworld, along with Spanish indie band Love of Lesbian and Mallorcan rapper Rels B, Lori Meyers, Jeff Rosenstock, The K's and many, many more besides.
Aquasella 2024
August 14 – 18, Cangas de Onis, Arriondas, Spain
With its bucolic setting, the festival is a pilgrimage site for electronic music aficionados.
Aquasella thrives on the energy of techno and house music. While the 2024 lineup hasn't been announced yet, the 2023 edition was packed with international and renowned artists like Nina Kraviz, Planetary Assault Systems (Luke Slater's live project), Óscar Mulero, Ben Sims, Richie Hawtin, Sama’Abdulhadi, Fatima Hajji, Mochakk and more.
Riverland 2024
August 23 – 25, Casino de Asturias, Gijón, Spain
Riverland Festival, with its idyllic riverside setting, offers a unique blend of music genres, from indie rock to folk. The festival's ability to marry top-tier musical acts with the natural beauty and cultural richness of Asturias has garnered positive attention. Critics have praised the festival for its immersive experience that goes beyond the music.
The lineup, featuring Kaydy Cain, Rojuu, La Zowi, Lía Kali, and Soto Asa, highlights the festival's commitment to showcasing a mix of emerging and established talent. With its picturesque setting near the Picos de Europa and the Sella River, Riverland transcends the typical music festival, offering attendees a deep dive into music, nature, and regional culture.
BBK Live 2024
July 11–13, Kobetamendi Park, Bilbao, España
Perched atop the scenic hills of Bilbao, BBK Live features a stellar lineup including The Prodigy, Massive Attack, and Underworld, with emerging talents like JPEGMAFIA and Noname.
Celebrated for its eclectic mix and scenic locale, it seamlessly fuses diverse musical genres with the enchanting landscape of the Basque Country, offering a distinct festival experience.
Its panoramic views are as breathtaking as its lineup, making it a must-visit for both music lovers and adventure seekers.
Cala Mijas 2024
August 29 – 31, Cala de Mijas, La Cala de Mijas, Spain
With its commitment to showcasing both global stars and emerging talents, Cala Mijas remains a standout event in Spain's festival calendar.
The festival is celebrated for its eclectic mix of acts and the engaging atmosphere it offers, and takes place in the Costa Del Sol. This year's festival lineup includes Arcade Fire, Foals, IDLES, Moderat, and Siouxsie among others.
This year also marks a continuation of its inclusive day programming, introducing free gigs for locals and festival-goers, ensuring the festival's ethos of music accessibility and community engagement is maintained.
A Summer Story 2024
June 21 – 22, Ciudad del Rock de Arganda, Madrid, Spain
Praised for its top-tier lineup and unforgettable ambiance, A Summer Story has quickly become a staple for electronic music enthusiasts, blending top-tier DJs with rising stars.
It can be found just outside of Madrid, and the 2024 edition welcomes Morten, Juicy M, Oguz, Wade, DJ Nano, and more, as part of its musical programe offering 12 hours of music each day.
O Son Do Camiño 2024
May 30 – Jun 1, Monte Do Gozo, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
O Son Do Camiño captures the essence of Galicia with its diverse lineup and stunning locale near Santiago de Compostela.
Offering a mix of rock, indie, and electronic under the Galician sky, the festival has already confirmed a banging lineup, with Green Day, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and J Balvin leading the charge.
Resurrection Fest 2024
Jun 26 – 29, Avenida Ramón Canosa, Viveiro, Spain
In the coastal town of Viveiro, Resurrection Fest stands as a bastion of metal, punk, and hardcore. This festival is a sanctuary for those who thrive on high-decibel experiences and mosh pits.
Expect an intense atmosphere and world-class acts. This year's explosive lineup includes heavyweights like Alice Cooper, Avenged Sevenfold, and Bring Me The Horizon, promising a blend of metal, hardcore, and punk that the festival is renowned for.
Paral.lel Festival 2024
August 9 – 12, Port del Comte, La Coma, Spain
Tucked away in the serene landscapes of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees, Paral.lel Festival is an intimate gathering focusing on minimal, experimental, and techno sounds, and the epitome of the phrase 'quality over quantity'.
It’s where the avant-garde of electronic music finds a home among the mountains.
The Paral·lel Festival 2023 lineup includes a variety of artists known for their innovative sound and exploratory music styles, such as Anthony Linell, Kia, and the collaborative project Voices from the Lake by Donato Dozzy and Neel. This selection underscores the festival's commitment to presenting a curated and distinctive musical experience. For more details on the lineup, you can visit their official website.
Own Spirit 2024
September 4 – 9, Own Spirit Festival, Baldellou, Spain
Own Spirit delves deep into psychedelic culture, offering more than just music with its focus on sustainability, workshops, and wellness.
Taking place by a lake, it’s an enclave for transformation and the exploration of electronic and psytrance realms. At the main stage, get stuck into a programme of local and global artists playing psytrance, full-on, progressive trance, goa, dark and forest. Dance to techno, darkprog, downtempo, psydub and ambient music over at the Temple of Frequencies stage, or head across to the Holistic Zone for workshops, talks, art and live performances.
Días De Campo 2024
May 16 – 19, Montanejos, Valencia, Spain
Nature-lovers, unite for Días De Campo - AKA your cordial invitation to unwind in the rural surrounds of Montanejos.
This boutique festival offers a reprieve from the hustle, inviting attendees to connect with music, nature, and community. It's a multi-genre affair: expect a fair amount of indie and electronic music on the menu, along with hip-hop, rap, latin, and even a side-serving of metal and punk-rock.
Sónar Festival 2024
Barcelona's Sónar is a confluence of music, creativity, and technology. Renowned for its avant-garde lineup, the festival is a global benchmark in electronic and experimental music, pushing boundaries and fostering innovation in the heart of Catalonia.
FIB Benicassim Festival 2024
July 18 – 20, Recinto de festivales de Benicàssim, Benicàssim, Spain
FIB is an epic summer gathering on the coast of Castellón, where indie, rock, and electronic music fans unite under the Mediterranean sun.
Known for its beachside dance parties and world-class lineups, it’s a festival that defines the summer for thousands of fans. It offers a real mix of artists, mostly within the realms of rock, pop and indie.
Some of the top artists on the 2024 bill include Black Eyed Peas, The Libertines, and Royal Blood. Yungblud, Milky Chance, Andrés Calamaro and Ella Eyre.
Primavera Sound Barcelona 2024
Wed, May 29, 7:00 PM, Parc del Fòrum Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Primavera is Barcelona's eclectic music bash. From indie darlings to hip-hop giants, the festival is a mosaic of contemporary music culture, set against the urban landscape of Parc del Fòrum.
The 2024 edition features headliners like Lana Del Rey, Sza, Pulp, and Vampire Weekend, along with Mitski, The National, Charli XCX, Justice, and PJ Harvey.
SanSan Festival 2024
28–30 Mar, Recinto de festivales de Benicàssim, Benicàssim, Spain
SanSan Festival 2024, set in the picturesque locale of Benicàssim, Spain, from March 28th to 30th, promises a vibrant kickoff to the festival season.
With a lineup that bridges the gap between iconic indie anthems and the heart of Spanish pop-rock, this year's return promises something banging, with including Two Door Cinema Club, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Vetusta Morla, Amaral, and La Casa Azul all gracing the stage.
Mad Cool Festival 2024
Wed, Jul 10, 11:59 PM, Madrid, Spain
Mad Cool does what it says on the tin. Whatever you consider cool, you'll find a serving of it on this lineup, which spans most genres, bringing in local and global artists across the musical spectrum, with a hefty dose of DJ talent, too. Whether you're into your indie (think Alvvays, Soccer Mommy), your old school (Avril Lavigne and The Kooks, anyone?), your icons (Pearl Jam...), or just want to bliss out to the likes of Nia Archives and Janelle Monáe, you're sorted. And, with DJs like Adiel, Jayda G and the He.She.They crew swinging by, you're spoiled for choice as day turns to night, too. The event, spanning July 10-13, promises a blend of rock, pop, and electronic music, with acts like Janelle Monáe, Greta Van Fleet, and Avril Lavigne adding to the eclectic mix. With a roster that includes both iconic bands and breakthrough artists, it's the ultimate musical melting pot under the Spanish sun
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