This post covers some of the best things to do in Barcelona in August, updated for 2024, including a variety of family-friendly entertainment, nighttime events, and free activities and events.
Be sure to read our post on the weather in August in Barcelona.
Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.
TOP 15 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA IN AUGUST
1. Go to a Concert
Some fantastic bands and performers will be playing in Barcelona this August. They range from pop stars to nostalgic favorites.
Below we list some of the best concerts taking place this month:
Concert
- Carlos Rivera | August 2nd | Barcelona
- Tom Jones | August 3rd | Sigte
- Jethro Tull | August 8th | Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Music Festivals
- Brunch Electronik Festival | August 11-13th | Parc Del Forum | Feat: Boys Noize, Dixon, DJ Holographic, and more
- Cap Roig Festival | July 14th-August 19th | Cap Roig Botanical Garden | Feat: Simply Red, Vanesa Martin, Kuz Casal, and more
- Festival Mas i Mas | June 5th-September 3rd | various venues | over 200 musical artists covering various genres
For even more great shows to attend, check out this list of concerts in Barcelona.
2. Have Fun at La Festa Major de Gràcia
The annual family-friendly La Festa Major de Gràcia dates back to the 19th century.
The festival is colorful, visual, and fun, much like Carnivale, and takes place in the Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona.
Squares are elaborately decorated after many months of work. There are dance shows, circus acts, art exhibits, live music, and more.
You won't want to miss the fire-breathing dragons and devils dancing through the streets.
There are food trucks and food stalls offering traditional cuisines and more.
Activities take place August 15th-August 21st. Visit this page for helpful links related to the festival.
3. Take a Cooking Class
If you want to immerse yourself in local culture, one way to do it is through cooking. Food is such an important part of a nation's identity.
Firsthand training by locals will ensure you understand the methods used to achieve the best possible flavor.
Barcelona has a rich culinary heritage, and if you'd like to try out some of the city's traditional foods, one of these classes might be for you!
- Paella Class with Tapas, Sangria & Market Visit
- Half-Day Spanish Cooking Class & Boqueria Market Tour
- Flamenco Show & Paella Cooking Class
- Wine and Tapas Tour for Lovers of Spanish Food
4. See More of Barcelona for Less
Explore as much of Barcelona as possible for less when you purchase a discount pass.
These passes bundle admission tickets to give you savings of up to 50% on regular retail pricing.
Which Barcelona Tourist Pass is Best?
Just some of the attractions included in various passes:
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
- L’Aquarium Barcelona
- Picasso Museum
- Park Guell’s Monumental Zone
- Montserrat Morning Tour
- Sagrada Familia
- Dali Museum
- Barcelona Zoo
- and more.
See our post comparing Barcelona tourist passes to see if a pass is right for you.
5. Attend La Festa Major de Sants
This family-friendly annual festival takes place in the Santa neighborhood of Barcelona and honors the martyred Saint Baromeu.
Various streets in the neighborhood decorate according to a theme, hoping to win the top prize for decoration.
Visitors will find live music, theatre and dance performances, Catalan folk performances, amusement park rides, and much more - all showcasing the talents of the local community.
There are also street parades, food stalls, fireworks, and much, much more.
For more information, visit La Festa Major de Sants website.
6. Take a Food Tour
Barcelona is famous for its cuisine. If trying local food isn't already on your list of things to do, you might want to add it.
If you don't know where to start, we suggest you consider taking a Secret Food Tour.
On a food tour, you'll taste tapas, paella, Iberian ham, Spanish cheeses, Catalonian pastry, and more.
Spanish wines rival the city's incredible food. On a Secret Wine Tour, you'll be tasting some of the best varietals, paired with food that complements the wine.
And if you're looking to get a bit hands-on with the local cuisine, you can learn to make traditional Spanish paella.
7. Take a Sightseeing Tour
June is a great time to get out and explore the city, especially with a free walking tour.
These pay-what-you-like tours are popular and entertaining, led by local guides who love their city.
Barcelona city tours typically include the Old Town, historic port, Gothic District, and the Barcelona Cathedral, among other landmarks.
For more details, read our post covering Barcelona walking tours.
If you want to cover a bit more ground, why not try a bike tour? It's another great way to enjoy the beginning of summer while seeing the popular points of interest.
Of course, if you want to relax a bit more (and maybe see the city from a bit offshore), there are fun sunset cruises available.
8. Tour the Spotify Camp Nou Live
Futbol Club Barcelona, one of the best and most popular football teams in the world, playing out at the famous Camp Nou football stadium.
There's a brand new FC Barcelona Museum that gives you an immersive 360º experience covering the stadium and team.
For tickets and more information, visit the Football Club Barcelona Museum Immersive Tour website.
And visit Stubhub for tickets to an FC Barcelona game.
9. Party at Circuit Festival Barcelona
This annual LGBTW+ festival is popular and widely attended, with guests from all around the world.
Over a number of days, there are performances, sports events, DJ'd music shows, fashion shows, cultural events, and more.
Parties take place at various locations in the city including pools, nightclubs, and beaches.
Events take place August 5th-13th. Visit the Barcelona Circuit Festival website for more information.
10. Attend the Open Air Cinema at Sala Montjuïc
From June 20th-August 4th you can find The Cinema a la Fresca de Sala Montjuïc! The weather is perfect for lounging out in the evenings with other locals and visitors.
The doors open at 8:30 pm, a concert begins at 20:45 (8:45), and the films begin at 22:00 (10:00 pm). It's suggested to arrive close to 20:30 (8:30 pm) if you want to have plenty of seating options.
Food stalls and a bar are available! You can even purchase a pre-packed eco-friendly picnic. Of course, you can also bring your own food.
For more information, visit the Sala Montjuïc website.
11. See a Comedy Show or Open-Mic Night
You can find stand-up comedy - in English - every Friday night at Comedy Bomb Shelter.
Performances feature touring comics from all over the world. The atmosphere in the pub is laid back and friendly.
If you go on other nights of the week, you can also find live music and open-mic poetry or storytelling nights!
- Dates: Friday Nights
- Location: Pub Limerick
- Suggested Donation: €5
- Find more information.
Comedy Bomb Shelter also runs paid showcases and comedy shows, with the ticket prices usually staying between €5 - €10!
12. Attend a Rooftop Concert Series Casa Batllo Magic Nights
The unique and colorful building Casa Casa Batlló, designed by Gaudí, hosts outdoor musical performances on its rooftop.
These live concerts cover a number of different musical genres, with not just flamenco or classical but jazz, pop music and more.
Best of all, these concerts take place at night, allowing you to enjoy the music while enjoying the Barcelona skyline.
You can also visit the interior of the building, also designed by Gaudí and clearly a masterpiece of his style.
For tickets and more information, visit the Casa Batllo Magic Nights website.
13. Be Captivated by Flamenco
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a visit to a Flamenco show, Flamenco being one of Spain's most beloved art forms.
Flamenco combines music, singing, and dance. The songs are emotional and the dance expressive, making their shows creative and captivating.
One of the most well-known companies featuring this traditional experience is Gran Gala Flamenco.
They have a number of shows planned for August. Click here for tickets.
Or, if you want to try another show, but one that includes a city tour, wine, and Flamenco, find tickets here.
14. Cheer on Bicyclists
One of the most important events in the cycling world takes place in Barcelona in August.
The annual Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) race is one of the top three races in the world, along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.
The top professional cyclists in the world with be participating, as it passes through various towns and cities in Spain.
The race starts in Barcelona on August 26th and ends on September 17th.
If you want to cheer on the riders, visit the La Vuelta website.
15. See the works of Banksy
If you're a fan of street art, chances are you're very familiar with the work of Banksy.
His unique vision has taken the world by storm, and he has quickly become one of the most easily recognizable artists of our time.
At the Banksy Museum in Barcelona, there is a permanent exhibit showcasing his work.
For more information, visit the Museo Banksy website.
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