Barcelona hosts an incredible variety of events throughout the year, from major festivals and concerts to sporting events and exhibitions. Here are my top picks for the best things to see and do.
Festivals
Guitar BCN Festival A long-running music festival featuring guitar concerts spanning genres from flamenco and jazz to rock and acoustic. Many performances take place in iconic venues across the city. January 17th to mid-September.
Grec Festival de Barcelona International theatre, dance, circus and music festival featuring performances across venues throughout Barcelona, centered around the Teatre Grec on Montjuïc. Starts June 29th and runs through July.
Barcelona Pride One of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ festivals, featuring a vibrant parade, live concerts, cultural events, parties, and community activities across the city. June 26th to July 18th.
Cruïlla Festival One of Barcelona’s biggest summer music festivals, bringing together international and Spanish artists across rock, pop, indie, electronic music, comedy, and art at Parc del Fòrum. July 8th to 11th.
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Exhibitions
Steve McCurry Henan Province, China, 2004 70x100cm ©Steve McCurry All rights reserved
ICONS at Palau Martorell. The most comprehensive retrospective of Steve McCurry ever presented in Barcelona, featuring more than 150 iconic photographs including the legendary “Afghan Girl.” Starts 15 May 2026.
The Last Days of Pompeii at IDEAL Centre d’Arts Digitals. A large-scale immersive exhibition recreating ancient Pompeii through projections, virtual reality, and interactive storytelling. Running through summer 2026.
The Sand House at MEAM. A major solo exhibition by Guillermo Lorca spanning a decade of the artist’s work. 28 May to 27 September 2026.
Prisoners of Love: Until the Sun of Freedom at MACBA. A contemporary multimedia exhibition by Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme exploring memory, resistance, and displacement through film, sound, and installation art. Running until 28 September 2026.
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Concerts
Feid at Palau Sant Jordi. One of the biggest stars in Latin music today brings his highly anticipated Falxo Tour to Barcelona. July 18th.
Chayanne at Palau Sant Jordi. The Latin pop icon brings his Bailemos Otra Vez Tour to Barcelona after overwhelming demand led to additional dates being added. July 22nd.
Morrissey at Poble Espanyol. The former Smiths frontman celebrates his legendary career with a set spanning beloved classics and solo favorites. July 25th.
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Sports Events
Tour de France Grand Départ Events Cycling celebrations, exhibitions, fan zones and promotional events across Barcelona ahead of the 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ. Late June–early July.
Open Water Swimming Series at Platja de la Nova Mar Bella. A series of open-water races for amateur and competitive swimmers. Throughout the summer.
Barcelona International Dragon Boat Festival at Canal Olímpic de Catalunya. Teams from across Europe compete in exciting dragon boat races. July.
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Conferences
International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development and Smart Cities Covers smart mobility, urban planning, digital infrastructure, and sustainable cities. July 7.
One Future Conference A four-day international conference bringing together young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. July 16–19.
European Blockchain Convention 12 A two-day conference bringing together blockchain leaders, investors, financial institutions, startups, and digital asset innovators to explore the latest developments in Web3, cryptocurrencies, tokenization, and institutional adoption. September 16–17.