UPDATED April 2019
There are some awesome summer music festivals in Spain. Each year the line-up’s seem to get bigger and better and it’s more and more popular to head overseas to enjoy a music festival.
You don’t have to worry about packing your wellies when you go to a festival in Spain! What better setting could there be to enjoy good music and relaxed festival vibes then in the Spanish sunshine.
This list covers some of the best and biggest summer music festivals in Spain. I will give you an overview of what each event offers, when and where the festival is being held and links to find out more about ticket availability and prices.
6 of Spain’s best summer music festivals
These are the big music festivals in Spain, offering the best line-up, facilities and festival experience:
- Primavera Sound
- Sónar
- Download
- Mad Cool
- Bilbao BBK Live
- FIB Benicàssim
Keep reading for more information on dates, locations, ticket prices and official websites for each of these awesome festivals!
RELATED article: Why Spain is the perfect holiday destination
Things to be aware of and my Spain music festival tips
- City venue festivals don’t usually offer onsite camping so make sure you organise accommodation
- Make sure you know how to get to the festival venue, often they are out of the city centre
- It will be hot in Spain so make sure you pack appropriately, drink lots of water and wear high SPF sunscreen
- Only buy tickets from authorised suppliers
- Tickets usually need to be printed and taken with you
- You probably need to show id to get in so make sure you take it
- You usually can’t take in your own alcohol so don’t bother
- Read the list of prohibited items for your festival
- Finding atms inside can be hard so bring some cash (euros)
- Some festivals will want you to load money on a card or wristbands and run a cashless system
- Take only what you actually need for day entrance, big bags are not normally allowed inside the venue
- Lockers might be provided but try not to take unneeded valuables with you
The biggest summer music festivals in Spain
Primavera Sound
Located just outside Barcelona city centre, right on the seafront this is one of Spain’s best known music festivals. Its manages to mix electronic, dance, rock, indie and pop acts together on a line-up of famous and independent artists. It’s been running since 2001 and has seen some awesome performances across the years. It’s received many awards and was nominated for NME award Best Festival in 2017 (Glastonbury always wins that).
Set across three days, you can buy full access tickets or separate day tickets. There is no camping but lots of accommodation options in Barcelona. The metro runs out near the festival site and there’s a cheap shuttle bus that goes from Plaça Catalunya.
The 2019 line-up includes: Miley Cyrus, Tame Impala, Jungle, Charlie XCX, Christine and the Queens, Interpol, FKA Twigs,
When is it: 30th May – 3rd June 2019
Where is it: Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona
Ticket price: from €85 for a day ticket
Website: Primavera Sound
*RELATED article: For more info on Barcelona read What you need to know before visiting Barcelona
Sónar
A three day Barcelona electronic music festival that’s split into Sónar by Day & Sónar Night programmes. DJ sets are scheduled across the 2 sites and you can buy a full access pass or tickets for individual days or nights. It’s become really popular and attracts big name DJ’s.
Both venues are big conference centres giving more of an all-day club feel then the usual outdoor festival. The Day venue is close to Placa Espanyol but Night is further out of Barcelona city so you need to take public transport or a taxi there. It’s a cashless festival so you get a wristband that you load with money to buy things inside.
The 2019 line-up includes: Underworld, A$AP Rocky, Disclosure, Skepta,
When is it: 18th – 20th July 2019
Where is it: Barcelona, Sónar Day is located at Fira Montjuic & Sónar Night is located at Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet
Ticket price: Sonar by day tickets start from €58
Website: Sonar
*RELATED article: If you want to spend some time exploring Barcelona read A weekend in Barcelona
Download
A rock, punk and heavy metal festival with iconic bands and new blood performing over three days. Spain joined the Download family following the events success in UK, Ireland and France. The first Download festival was held in Madrid last year and a roaring success.
A three day event, you can buy full ticket access or day tickets. There is also really good VIP access allowing you close to stage and in VIP bars. The venue is an event space south of Madrid city centre. You can get there by bus, metro or the official festival coach service and there are lots of hotels and hostels in Madrid.
The 2019 line-up includes: Slipknot, Stone Temple Pilots, Enter Shikari, Sum 41,
When is it: 28th – 30th June 2019
Where is it: Caja Mágica in Madrid
Ticket price: from €80 for a day ticket
Website: Download
*RELATED article: If you are heading to Madrid for the first time read What you need to know before visiting Madrid
Mad Cool
Another new Madrid city festival only in its third year but already moved to a bigger venue to accommodate the demand for tickets. Attracting really big Rock and Indie bands plus home grown alternative acts. Mad Cool covers 3 days with day tickets available for each. It has 7 stages of awesome music and lots of cool festivals sights and treats going on.
The Mad Cool venue is outside Madrid city centre near the airport and can be accessed by metro or train. There are plenty of city accommodation options. At the venue you need to exchange your ticket for a wrist band to gain entry.
The 2019 line-up includes: Bon Iver, The Cure, Iggy Pop, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The National, Smashing Pumpkins, Miles Kane, The 1975.
When is it: 11th – 13th July 2019
Where is it: IFEMA Valdebebas in Madrid
Ticket price: from €85 for 1 day
Website: Mad Cool
*RELATED article: For ideas on what sights you can see in Madrid read A Weekend in Madrid
Bilbao BBK Live
A rock, pop and alternative music festival that offers onsite camping near Bilbao. The ticket prices are awesome value and the venue offers a traditional, parkland, festival atmosphere. The line-up is always high calibre and on-site food and facilities are great.
There are amazing glamping options or you can stay in Bilbao city if you prefer. A free bus service to the venue runs from Bilbao centre.
The 2019 line-up includes: Liam Gallagher, The Strokes, Suede, Hot Chip, Wheezer, Slaves, Idles,
When is it: 11th – 13th July 2019
Where is it: Kobetamendi in Bilbao
Ticket price: 1 day from €60, 3 days plus camping from €165
Website: Bilbao BBK Live
*RELATED article: Bilbao is one of the top cities to visit in Spain read this article to find more The best cities to visit in Spain
FIB Benicàssim
Another great festival for camping lovers. Set on a Costa del Azhar beach resort, between Valencia and Barcelona it offers a mix of music genres and a great beach festival vibe. Running since 1995 its known worldwide as a big summer party festival and attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Camping facilities are good, secure and even have showers! There is a special festival bus route connecting Benicàssim town, to the beaches and the campsite. If you are not staying onsite you can find accommodation and other camping options nearby.
The 2019 line-up includes: Kings of Leon, Lana del Rey, Fatboy Slim, George Ezra, Franz Ferdinand, Jess Glynne
When is it: 18th – 21st July 2019
Where is it: in Benicàssim near Castellón
Ticket price: 4 day ticket including camping from €155
Website: FIB Benicassim
*RELATED article: To find out more about nearby Valencia city read My train trip to Valencia and all the city highlights
To check current ticket availability or for more information about these festivals, or any other summer festivals in Spain go to Festicket. They are an authorized festival ticket supplier in Spain and I always use them to buy my tickets 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the biggest summer music festivals in Spain. Going to a music festival in the summer is awesome, going to one in Spain is even better!
I hope this list gave you some inspiration for which festival you can attend and if you haven’t got your tickets already, what are you waiting for!
Other Spain travel guides by Seeking the Spanish Sun you might want to check out…
The 10 most beautiful beaches in Spain
A quick guide to the different regions of Spain
What to drink in Madrid and how to order like a local
Here are some travel advice guides that might be useful…
How to keep your valuables safe when traveling
Tips for packing only hand luggage
How to save money when visiting Spain
Great guide. The festivals in Spain are so good many people are now going there from the UK now, instead of festivals here. Great guide. Ian
It’s nice to get a bit guaranteed festival sun 😉 I always find overseas festivals a bit more chilled out and not so crowded to get to the bar plus the festival line ups in Spain this year are amazing!
I’m trying really hard not to book a ticket and join my friends for Sonar (broke). Then again, that one in Bilbao sounded awesome also. A good friend of mine lives in Basque and I would really want to visit her. Oh, decisions, decisions (and finite finances)…
That’s a tough decision, both are great options. Going to a festival is a bit like going on holiday… I always seem to spend too much money but it’s worth it 😉
Those are some awesome festivals in your lineup! I bet it was difficult choosing a favorite. I’m curious, though, which one is the most foreign-visitor-friendly festival? I’d like to attend the one in Bilbao myself but I wonder if I’d be able to enjoy the camping vibe (or rent camping gear, for that matter).
Thanks mike! This post was all about the biggest summer festivals so they are the top billing for that category. I would say that Benicassim is the one that attracts the most foreigners but they are all friendly festivals with a relaxed vibe. You can hire pre set-up tents and camping gear at Bilbao, theres more info on their website.
Wow i had no idea there were so many! You mean you have been to all of them? How cool. Camping out for a music festival sounds like a great idea. Could go back for a nap and continue later! LOL
There are so many… and they all offer a different festival experience, which is great. Unfortunately I haven’t been to all of them (yet) but I’m working my way around each year! Camping at a festival is so much fun and yes! Perfect for afternoon naps 😉
I love the fact that there so many music festivals happening all across Spain. In India we have it in winters so escape the heat. Great compilation. If i ever come to Spain during winters, i will keep this in mind 🙂
This is just a list of the big ones… there are many more smaller music festivals in Spain throughout the year!