Summer is the busiest season in Barcelona, and music festivals make June through August all the more sweet. At The Gates Hotel Diagonal Barcelona, we’ve made a list of the best upcoming music festivals this summer you don’t want to miss.

Primavera Sound

This internationally-acclaimed festival is known throughout Europe for its top-notch performers and big crowds. Past acts include Wu-Tang Clan, Pixies and New Order. This year’s lineup has everyone buzzing: headliners Björk, Arctic Monkeys and The National are bound to make this seaside festival nothing short of memorable. Supporting acts include Lorde and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, with Belle and Sebastian set to kick-off the festival May 30. Primavera Sound venue is Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona, just 4 km from The Gates Hotel. Event runs May 30-June 2. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time on the Primavera Sound website.

Sónar

The “international congress” of music, creativity and technology is possibly one of the most respected electronic and advanced music festivals in all of Europe, with three days dedicated to creativity, technology and progress. The event is split up into day and night access, with Sonar Day set in the city centre, and Sonar Night held in the outskirts of Barcelona in Fira Gran Via. Founded in 1994 to a humble audience, the fest has grown dramatically, now hosting approximately 123,000 attendees. Test your musical limits at this one-of-a-kind festival, only in Barcelona. Event runs June 13-16. Get your tickets ahead of time directly from the event website.

CruÏlla Barcelona

This summer fest by the sea is a mix of music styles and culture, encompassing three days of 40 concerts set on five different stages. This year’s lineup includes David Byrne, Kygo, The Roots, LP and Jack White. This year’s Cruïlla festival runs July 12-14 at Parc del Fòrum. Last year’s fest sold out, so make sure to reserve your tickets in advance.

Grec Festival de Barcelona

“El Grec” isn’t just about music — it also celebrates theatre, dance and circus for the entire month of July across Barcelona. Many events are free and widely inclusive. If you’re visiting Barcelona in July, this is the perfect way to see all the great venues around the city. Center stage is the Teatre Grec, an ancient Greek-style theatre built in an old quarry within the Montjuic Mountain in 1929. It’s a must-see complex and dramatic setting for performance arts. Check out this year’s program ahead of time to correspond with your visit.

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