¡Vamos! into a whirlwind of rhythms and melodies with our guide to the 10 must-see music festivals in Spain in 2024! From the flamboyant passion of local stars to the electrifying bass of electro, Spain delivers sound like no other! Get ready to dance under the Iberian sun, marvel at breathtaking shows and experience unforgettable moments. Let's go on a journey to the heart of the beats and traditions that make Spain tick!
1. Elrow Town
IFEMA MADRID hostsElrow Town, a major electronic music festival with 9 stages and 100 DJs. It's an XXL experience of the Elrow universe, with spectacular st aging and unique themes, delivering performances that blend theater and art. Featuring renowned artists, this house, techno and disco festival reflects the greatness of Elrow, famous for its immersive productions, already enjoyed in Las Vegas, New York and London.
- Dates: April 27-28, 2024
- Location: Madrid (discover its 19 must-sees)
- Key artists : Adam Beyer and Andrea Oliva
How to get there? To get to Elrow Town Madrid at IFEMA MADRID, take a flight to the nearby Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport. From there, take a cab, a car-sharing service or public transport (metro or bus) to arrive directly at the IFEMA exhibition center, which is easily accessible and well connected.
2. Primavera Sound among Spain's 2024 Music Festivals
Primavera Sound has been a must-see urban festival in Barcelona since 2001. It returns in 2024 with an eclectic and daring program. With a focus on musical diversity, this 22nd edition features a host of highly acclaimed international artists! Its retro visuals pay tribute to its origins and to Barcelona. Its line-up unveils a memorable session for aficionados of musical identity!
- Dates : May 30 - June 1
- Venue: Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona
- Renowned artists: Lana Del Rey, SZA, and Vampire Weekend. The festival kicks off with a free concert by Phoenix on May 29 and closes with the Brunch Electronik evening.
How do I get there? To get to Primavera Sound 2024 in Barcelona, take the L4 metro to the El Maresme | Fòrum stop , the T4 streetcar to the same station, or various bus routes serving the Parc del Fòrum. If you're coming by car, parking is available in the vicinity of the festival.
3. Sonar Festival in Barcelona
Sonar Festival is the must-attend event for fans of electronic music. It celebrates its 31st edition this year. With an exceptional line-up of iconic DJs and seasoned producers such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Sevdaliza, Laurent Garnier and Adriatique, the festival promises unforgettable performances. The festivities are divided into several segments: Sónar by Day for daytime discoveries, Sónar by Night for major night-time performances, Sónar+D for exploring the intersections between creativity, technology and society, and OFFSónar for special events.
- Dates : June 13-15, 2024
- Location: Barcelona
- Artists: legendary French duo Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel from Air, rapper Vince Staples, DJ Charlotte de Witte, producer Kaytranada with his new album, and Jessie Ware, who fuses soul and disco. Floating Points, aka Sam Shepherd. Exciting collaborations such as Kittin b2b David Vunk are also on the program!
How to get there? To attend the Sonar Festival in Barcelona, take the metro to the Fira Montjuïc stop for Sónar by Day, or to the Fira Gran Via L'Hospitalet stop for Sónar by Night. There are also bus and streetcar lines to these venues.
4. Benicàssim International Festival (FIB)
The Benicassim festival has been a must for rock/pop fans since 1995! It brings together the best Spanish and international bands. Held outdoors in mid-July, it features concerts, dance, theater, sculpture and short films.
- Dates : July 18-20
- Location: Benicàssim
- Artists: Black Eyed Peas, The Libertines, Royal Blood, Yungblud, Jess Glynne, and many others.
How to get there To get to the Benicàssim Festival, take a train or bus to the city of Castellón de la Plana. Then a shuttle service or local bus runs directly from Castellón to Benicàssim during the festival.
5. Mad Cool
Mad cool festival celebrates its 7th edition at Iberdrola Music in Madrid. This major event is known the world over. It brings together international live music stars and a diverse mix of musical genres. It promotes art, gastronomy and tourism. Recognized for its impact since 2016, Mad Cool received the Best Poster Award in 2018.
- Dates : July 10-13, 2024
- Location: Madrid
- Artists: the festival kicks off with Dua Lipa and other artists on July 10, followed by Pearl Jam on the 11th, Avril Lavigne, sum41 on the 12th, Måneskin, and The Killers. It concludes with Bring Me The Horizon on the 13th.
How do I get there? To get to the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, take the metro to Valdebebas station, line C1 of the suburban trains (Cercanías) to Valdebebas station, close to the festival site. Or, use the bus lines specially set up for the event. If you're coming by car, the festival has its own parking lot.
6. Bilbao BBK Live in the 2024 Music Festivals in Spain
Bilbao BBK Live has become a fixture on the European music scene. It attracts music fans and world-renowned artists. The 2024 edition promises to be exceptional, with a crazy line-up! Musical giants will transform the green hills of Kobetamendi into an epicenter of pop, rock and indie vibes. Renowned for its picturesque setting and unique atmosphere, this event offers festival-goers three days of unforgettable concerts, punctuated by artistic discoveries and moments of sharing. Don't miss this unforgettable musical celebration in the heart of the Spanish summer!
- Dates : July 11-13, 2024
- Location: Bilbao
- Artists: Jungle, Parcels, Massive Jungle, Parcels, Massive Attack, The Prodigy, Arcade Fire and Underworld, among others.
How to get there? To get to Bilbao BBK Live from Bilbao airport, take a bus or cab directly to the festival site in Kobetamendi, just a few kilometers from the city center.
Where to buy your pass? Book your ticket here!
7. Starlite Festival Occidental 2024
Starlite Occidental 2024 delivers an unparalleled experience combining music, gastronomy and magical after-parties. With a line-up of international stars, this unique event not only presents memorable concerts, it creates an atmosphere where music, exceptional culinary tasting and festive evenings merge to offer an unforgettable session under the starry Marbella sky!
- Dates: June 14, 2024 to August 31, 2024
- Location: Marbella
- Artists: Jamie Cullum, Sheryl Crow, Aitana, Vanesa Martín, Myke Towers, Emilia, Camilo, Keane, The Corrs, Julian Marley, and legends like Tom Jones, Diana Krall, Luis Miguel, and Plácido Domingo to legendary bands UB40 and Simple Minds, not to mention contemporary talents like Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, Van Gogh's La Oreja, and much more.
How to get there To attend Starlite Occidental 2024 in Marbella, from Malaga airport, take a cab or direct shuttle service for a journey of around 40 minutes to the festival site, located in the Nagüeles quarry, a unique natural setting in Marbella.
8. Arenal Sound in the 2024 Music Festivals in Spain
Playa el Arenal in Burriana (Castellón) once again welcomes the legion of sounders for Arenal Sound, a festival that attracts over 300,000 participants. The 2024 line-up is just incredible, with some amazing artists. Come and experience the magic on the shores of the Mediterranean!
- Dates : July 30 to August 4, 2024
- Location: Playa el Arenal in Burriana(Castellón)
- Performers: Aitana, Morad, La Pegatina, Yandel, and many others.
How to get there From the airport, choose between a direct festival shuttle service (if available), a train from Valencia station to Castellón, then a short bus or cab ride to Burriana, or rent a car for greater flexibility. Valencia airport offers public transport links to the station, where you can catch a RENFE train to Castellón. From there, local buses or cabs can take you directly to Playa el Arenal, the festival site.
9. Rototom Sunsplash: the international reggae festival
Rototom Sunsplash invites you to explore 18 dynamic zones offering music, speeches, debates, workshops and various activities. Don't miss your chance to take part in this unique event, where collaboration and community creation are at the heart of the experience. It's a festival that not only enriches the arts, but also provokes profound social reflection.
- Dates: August 16, 2024 to August 21, 2024
- Location: Benicàssim
- Artists : Alpha Blondy, busy signal, Alborosie & Friends, The Wailers, Fernanddocosta, Iseo&Dodosound, Dub Inc, Black Uhuru, Groundation, Bad Manners, SFDK, Skip Marley, Peter Tosh Tribute w/Andrew Tosh & Soul Syndicate, etc.
How to get there To get to Rototom Sunsplash in Benicàssim, Spain, take a flight to Valencia or Castellón airport, followed by a short train or bus ride to Benicàssim, where the festival is close to the beaches and easily accessible by local public transport.
10. Festival Rio Babel, one of Spain's 2024 Music Festivals
The Rio Babel Festival returns to Madrid's Caja Mágica in July 2024 for its 6th edition. It is a brilliant celebration of Ibero-American music, combining music, comedy, art and gastronomy. The festival is a major cultural crossroads, offering a blend of Latin jazz, folk, indie and reggae.
- Dates: July 4, 5 and 6, 2024
- Location: Madrid
- Artists: Juanes, Andrés Calamaro Juanes, Andrés Calamaro, Trueno, Nil Moliner, Akriila, Caloncho,, Amaral, La Oreja de Van Gogh, La Pelatyina, Vicente GarciaDie Antwoord, Two Door Cinema Club, The Cat Empire, Delaporte and many others.
How to get there To reach the Rio Babel Festival at Caja Mágica, Madrid, in July 2024, fly to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, then opt for public transport (metro or bus) or a cab for a direct route to this iconic venue in the south of the city.
What's Spain's biggest festival?
Spain's biggest festival, Primavera Sound, is an epic music event that attracts festival-goers from all over the world to Barcelona. Renowned for its eclectic programming, it delivers an immersive journey through the latest musical trends.
What's the biggest festival in Europe?
In Europe, the title of biggest festival goes to Hungary's Sziget Festival. Located on Budapest's Óbudai Island, this major event transforms the city into a gigantic carnival of music, art and culture. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors eager to experience an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the European summer.
Spain's Musical Festivals 2024 promises sensational programming! Discover even more music festivals with Petit Futé. Looking for an escape without traveling halfway around the world? Discover 10 sunny destinations less than 3 hours' flight from Paris! These European gems offer sun, culture and relaxation within easy reach. And if you're a festival-goer, don't leave without checking out ! Finally, for environmentally conscious music lovers, the Top 11 Eco-Festivals in France in 2024 suggests a perfect harmony between festivities and sustainability!
