What's On Barcelona: August Edition

Bon dia!

I’m sending you the August edition of What’s On Barcelona, so you can look ahead to the main events taking place in the month. You’ll still get the weekly emails on Thursday.

Barcelona already feels quieter as people head off on holiday. If you're planning a weekend away or a day trip & need to hire a car, you can get €15 off with Getaround using my refer a friend link (new customers). It’s not sponsored or an affiliate link, I already have a car, so it’s of no use to me, but sharing incase someone finds it useful.

Anyway here’s What’s On in August.

- Mark

1. Nits en Viu – Summer Music Nights at Poble Espanyol

What’s On: Four themed nights every week transform Poble Espanyol into one of Barcelona's best summer evening spots, with live music, DJs, street food and drinks under the stars in a relaxed open-air setting. From rock tributes to rumba and salsa, there's something different every night.

Wednesdays – Fiesta Caribe →
Live salsa and bachata, dance classes, Caribbean food, cocktails and DJs.

Thursdays – Rock&Grill →
Classic rock tribute bands, grilled food, craft beer and an outdoor festival atmosphere.

Fridays – Queens' Nights →
Tributes to iconic pop artists including Tina Turner, ABBA and Amy Winehouse, plus DJs and food trucks.

Saturdays – Fritanga →
Live Catalan rumba, tapas, mojitos, DJs and one of Barcelona's best summer tardeo experiences.

📅 When: Wednesdays–Saturdays until 30th August
📍 Where: Poble Espanyol

2. Near-Total Solar Eclipse Over Barcelona - August 12th

What’s On: On Wednesday 12th August, Barcelona will witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events in decades as a 99.8% solar eclipse passes over the city. While Barcelona falls just outside the path of totality, the sun will be almost completely covered just before sunset, making this one of the most dramatic eclipses visible here in a lifetime.

For the best views in Barcelona, head to Montjuïc, the Carmel Bunkers or Tibidabo, all of which offer open views towards the western horizon. If you're happy to drive for around an hour, head south to Tarragona, Salou, Altafulla, Torredembarra or Reus, where you'll be inside the path of totality and experience the eclipse in full.

📅 When: Wednesday 12th August (maximum eclipse around 8:29pm)
📍 Where: Across Barcelona and southern Catalonia

⚠️ Never look directly at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.

For more info see here →

3. Festes de Sant Roc - 12th August until 16th

What’s On: Barcelona's oldest neighbourhood festival returns to the Gothic Quarter for its 437th edition. Dating back to 1589 and recognised as a Festival of National Heritage Interest, the Festes de Sant Roc combine centuries old traditions with giant parades, sardanes, live music and a spectacular correfocs.

📅 When: Wed 12th – Sun 16th August
📍 Where: Plaça Nova & the Gothic Quarter

Highlights
The Cucanya (13th–16th August)
Have a go on the oldest horizontal greasy pole in Catalonia (pictured above), a tradition that's been part of the festival since 1884.

The Sant Roc Giants (13th & 16th August)
The festival celebrates the 120th anniversary of the Sant Roc Giants, who return after a year away with newly restored costumes and traditional dances.

The Dog Blessing (14th August)
One of Barcelona's quirkiest traditions, where local dogs are presented in honour of Saint Roch, the patron saint of dogs.

Sant Roc Day (16th August)
The biggest day of the festival, featuring a traditional procession, giant dances, sardanes and centuries-old ceremonies dating back to the 16th century.

Correfoc & Fireworks (16th August)
The celebrations end with a spectacular Correfoc (fire run) through the Gothic Quarter, followed by a fireworks display over Plaça Nova.

See the full programme here →

Catalonia Beyond Fuet: What's in Season This August [AD]

Ha arribat l’agost! August is here!

As we say, Si per l’agost se senten trons els raïms seran bons. It means, if you hear thunder during August, the grapes will be good.

Speaking of raïm, do you want to know other fruits and vegetables of the season? Go crazy and buy them all:

• Meló (melon)

• Fonoll  (fennel)

• Figa (fig)

• Nap (turnip)

• Pruna (plum)

Of course there are lots of other delicious fruits in Catalonia. You can learn all their names thanks to this 1990s poster. Remember to ask for them by saying “gràcies” (thanks) and “si us plau” (please). Bon profit!

For more resources on learning Catalan see here →

Content by the Ministry of Language Policy

4. Festes de Gràcia - August 15th until 21st

What’s On: Possibly my favourite neighbourhood festival, Festes de Gràcia has 23 streets that compete to create the city's most spectacular handmade decorations. Expect seven days of live music, giant parades, castellers (human towers), correfocs (fire runs), DJs, food, family activities and hundreds of free events throughout Gràcia. This also Festigàbal, a free music festival showcasing some of Catalonia's best emerging artists.

📅 When: Sat 15th – Fri 21st August
📍 Where: Gràcia

Highlights
Festigàbal (15th–16th August)
A free 2 day music festival in the Jardins de la Sedeta.

Castellers & Traditional Celebrations (16th August)
Watch the Castellers (human towers) in Plaça de la Vila, alongside the Sant Roc celebrations, giant parades and other traditional Catalan performances.

Decorated Streets Awards (19th August)
The winners of the Decorated Streets Competition are announced in Plaça de la Vila.

Correfoc (Fire Run) (21st August)
The festival ends with the spectacular Correfoc, where devils, drums and fireworks race through the streets.

For more info see here → 

5. Prostir Fest – Ukrainian Music Festival - 21st August

What’s On: Prostir Fest brings three days of contemporary Ukrainian music to Poble Espanyol, with performances from some of Ukraine's biggest artists, including Max Barskih, Dorofeeva, Jerry Heil, Klavdia Petrivna, KOLA and Parfeniuk. Alongside the live music, expect food, bars and a vibrant open-air festival atmosphere.

📅 When: Fri 21st – Sun 23rd August
📍 Where: Poble Espanyol

For tickets see here →

6. Festes de Sants - 22nd August until 30th

What’s On: Sants hosts one of Barcelona's biggest neighbourhood festivals, with 11 beautifully decorated streets, live music, giant parades, castellers (human towers), correfocs (fire runs) and hundreds of free events taking place throughout the neighbourhood.

📅 When: Sat 22nd – Sun 30th August
📍 Where: Sants

Highlights
Opening Parade & Official Opening (22nd August)
The festival gets underway with a colourful giant parade, traditional Catalan performances and the official opening ceremony in Parc de l'Espanya Industrial.

Decorated Streets Awards (25th August)
Find out which of the 11 streets is crowned this year's winner of the famous decorating competition.

Castellers & Correfoc (30th August)
The festival concludes with a Castellers (human towers) display, followed by the children's and adults' Correfoc (Fire Run) through the streets of Sants.

For more info see here →

7. The Weeknd Live in Barcelona – 1st September

What’s On: Ok ok, this one isn’t technically in August, it’s on 1st September, but I think it’s worth knowing about. The Weeknd is bringing his After Hours Til Dawn Tour to Barcelona's Olympic Stadium for what promises to be one of the biggest concerts of the year. Expect a spectacular stadium show featuring hits including Blinding Lights, Starboy, Save Your Tears, Can't Feel My Face and more.

📅 When: Tuesday 1st September (8pm)
📍 Where: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

There are still some tickets available, see here →

8. Besalú Medieval Festival (Just Outside Barcelona)

What’s On: Just north of Girona (around 1 hour 45 minutes from Barcelona), one of Catalonia's best preserved medieval towns turns back the clock for a weekend of knights, markets and street performances.

Besalú Medieval transforms the town into a village from the 13th and 14th centuries, with a medieval market, historical combat displays, traditional crafts, workshops and entertainment throughout its beautiful cobbled streets.

📅 When: Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August
📍 Where: Besalú (approx. 1 hr 45 mins by car from Barcelona)

For more info see here → (The official page is currently showing the 2025 programme, but it'll be updated with the 2026 programme soon.)

That’s all for now, catch you again on Thursday!

— Mark

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