Culture in general, and music in particular, are an integral part of the tradition and daily life of Catalans. No matter what time of year you visit, you will find a plethora of music festivals and artistic events of all kinds. From classical music to avant-garde, opera, theater, dance, and cinema, Catalonia offers a wide range of cultural activities. Classical Music Festivals Cadaqués International Music Festival Since the 1970s, this festival on the Costa Brava has featured top-level artists for the summer nights of Cadaqués. Although it began as a classical music event, the Cadaqués International Music Festival has evolved to include other styles and continues to be in constant evolution. Torroella de Montgrí Festival Founded in 1981, the origins of this festival lie in classical music. However, the current Torroella de Montgrí Festival goes much further, inviting renowned jazz artists to the Sea Jazz l'Estartit, emerging artists to the Fringe, and screening documentaries as part of In-Edit Empordà. Concerts take place in various emblematic locations within the municipality. Peralada Castle Festival The monumental complex of Peralada Castle hosts various stages for this music and dance festival, founded in 1987. The festival pays special attention to classical music, opera, and ballet, while also incorporating other disciplines and styles. The medieval setting is one of the distinctive features of the Peralada Castle Festival. Jordi Savall Festival Continuing the tradition of the Early Music Festival, the Jordi Savall Festival offers concerts in emblematic venues such as the Poblet Monastery, Santes Creus, and Montblanc. Inaugurated in 2021 by the CIMA foundation, the festival promotes the recovery of historical cultural and musical heritage with performances directed by the renowned Catalan musician Jordi Savall. Pau Casals International Music Festival This is one of Catalonia's premier music festivals with international acclaim. It began in 1981 as a tribute to Pau Casals. With the cello as the guiding theme, the Pau Casals International Music Festival takes place every summer at the Pau Casals Auditorium, located right in front of the artist's house-museum in El Vendrell. Music Seasons Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC) Season Founded in 1944 by musician and composer Eduard Toldrà, the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC) aims to promote the grand symphonic repertoire, Catalan musical heritage, and new creations. Based at L'Auditori de Barcelona, the OBC regularly programs concert cycles. It is currently directed by Ludovic Morlot. L'Auditori and Palau de la Música Catalana L'Auditori is the most important symphonic hall, home to the OBC and the Museum of Music. The Palau de la Música Catalana, declared a World Heritage Site, is a modernist gem. It permanently programs concerts by orchestras and top international musical figures across various styles. Gran Teatre del Liceu Catalonia's premier opera house is located on Barcelona's Rambla and offers top-tier programming. Each season, the Gran Teatre del Liceu hosts over forty opera and dance performances, as well as concerts, dance shows, and even films, recitals, and children's shows. It is a historic venue that has been fully modernized. Performing Arts Festivals Ésdansa. International Music and Dance Festival of Les Preses The small town of Les Preses, near the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, is the setting for this traditional music and dance festival. Every August, the Ésdansa festival fills the town with enthusiasts enjoying its offerings in traditional dance performance, education, outreach, and creation. FiraTàrrega. Street Theater Fair Since 1981, this street theater festival has brought together Catalan and international artists in Tàrrega. FiraTàrrega showcases a wide range of genres. Besides artists and audiences, the event also attracts promoters, cultural programmers, and various cultural agents, creating a space for the promotion and development of the performing arts. Tarragona International Theater Festival FITT - New Dramatics is a festival that brings prestigious global works and companies to Tarragona. Organized by Sala Trono, the Tarragona International Theater Festival also supports Catalan theater and other disciplines like circus, dance, and musical theater. Grec Festival Barcelona's summer festival is centered around the iconic Teatre Grec, an open-air venue perfect for enjoying cultural proposals on summer evenings. The Grec Festival features a comprehensive program of music, theater, dance, and circus performances over several weeks from late June to early August. Audiovisual Festivals Cerdanya Film Festival For fifteen days in August, Puigcerdà immerses itself in cinema, screening short and feature films across fiction, animation, and documentary genres, primarily from independent cinema. The Cerdanya Film Festival also offers workshops, talks, and cultural activities in the beautiful natural setting of the Pyrenees. BCN Film Fest Launched in 2017, the BCN Film Fest programs a selection of international films related to literature and history each spring. In addition to feature films, documentaries, and short films, it also offers roundtables, conferences, and workshops. The main venue is the iconic Verdi Cinemas in Barcelona. Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia With a long history dating back to 1968, this is the world's first fantasy film festival and the most important film event in Catalonia. The Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia programs hundreds of screenings in various Sitges venues in October, along with parallel activities such as shows, concerts, visits, and the Zombie Walk. Most - International Wine Film Festival Cinema and wine come together at the Most festival, which programs audiovisual productions related to the culture of vine and wine. It also screens films not commercially released and a selection of short films. The festival is held in two parts: in Penedès in November and in Priorat a few weeks later. Visual Arts Festivals and Seasons World Press Photo This annual exhibition showcases a selection of the best photojournalism images of the year. Barcelona is one of more than a hundred cities in 45 countries hosting this event, created in 1955. The Catalan venue for the World Press Photo is the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB). Lluèrnia Fire and light are the protagonists of this festival held in November in Olot. Various spaces in the town display ephemeral installations in an artistic and educational approach that brings culture to everyday public spaces. Lluèrnia, first held in 2011, merges tradition with innovative techniques and creativity. Llum BCN For three nights in February, the Poblenou neighborhood and the area around Glòries Square in Barcelona light up for this festival dedicated to light arts. Llum BCN creates a different and creative urban landscape through the interventions of creators from all visual arts fields. Catalonia has earned great international prestige as the host of some of the world's best music festivals. Besides the events we've mentioned, you can discover more about the musical scene in our article on must-see music festivals in Catalonia.