Sónar

What is Sónar?

Sónar is Barcelona's festival of advanced music and new media, and one of the most influential electronic music festivals in the world. It began in 1994 as a small gathering devoted to electronic music and the art made with new technologies, at a time when both were still on the fringes. Today it fills two vast venues every June and draws over 100,000 visitors, with an estimated 126,000 in 2018.

The festival is split in two, by day and by night, which gives it a unique rhythm. Sónar by Day takes place in the exhibition halls of Fira Montjuïc, at the foot of the Montjuïc hill in the centre of the city. In the afternoons, visitors relax on artificial grass, dance in the sun and discover new and experimental artists across several stages. Sónar by Night moves to Fira Gran Via, a huge exhibition centre on the edge of the city, where the big names of electronic music, hip hop and pop play in giant halls until the early morning.

Since 2013, Sónar has also hosted Sónar+D, a conference on creativity and technology, with talks, workshops and demonstrations on music, art, artificial intelligence and digital culture. It reflects the festival's roots: from the start, Sónar has been as interested in what new technologies mean for art as in the music itself, and its line-ups mix famous names with artists pushing the boundaries of sound and visuals.

The festival has also become a meeting point for the global electronic music industry, and the week around it fills Barcelona with off-Sónar parties, club nights and events in bars, beaches and rooftops across the city.

What to expect

The festival runs for three days in mid-June, Thursday to Saturday, with daytime and night-time programmes.

Planning your trip

Getting there

Barcelona's airport has direct flights from across Europe and beyond, with trains arriving at Sants station. Fira Montjuïc is next to Plaça d'Espanya metro station, and Fira Gran Via is reached by metro or train from the centre.

Where to stay

Hotels near Plaça d'Espanya and in the neighbouring districts of Sant Antoni and Poble-sec are convenient for Sónar by Day and well connected to Fira Gran Via. The city fills up during the festival week, so book early.

What it costs

Tickets are sold for the day and night programmes separately or as a full pass, and are expensive. Barcelona is moderately expensive, with accommodation the biggest cost in festival week.

Go like you know

• Buy a full pass if you want both day and night; it's cheaper than buying separately.
• Arrive at Sónar by Day early to find a spot on the grass.
• Catch a Sónar+D talk or demo for a glimpse of where music and technology are heading.
• Spend a free morning on the beach at Barceloneta, or walking up Montjuïc for views over the city, before Sónar by Day opens.
• Follow the off-Sónar listings for free and cheap parties across the city.
• Barcelona's Primavera Sound, at the turn of May and June, is the city's other great music festival.
• Paris's Fête de la Musique, on June 21, fills the streets of France with free concerts a few days later.

Frequently asked questions

When is Sónar?

Over three days in mid-June, usually Thursday to Saturday. The 2026 festival ran from June 18 to 20. The organizers announce the next year's dates and first artists in the autumn or winter, so check the official website for 2027.

What is the difference between Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night?

Sónar by Day takes place in the afternoon at Fira Montjuïc in the centre of the city, with a relaxed atmosphere, newer and more experimental artists and the Sónar+D conference. Sónar by Night is at Fira Gran Via, with the big headliners playing in huge halls until the early morning.

Do I need to love electronic music?

It helps, but Sónar's line-ups are broad, mixing electronic music with hip hop, pop, experimental music and audiovisual art. Many visitors come for a few big names and leave having discovered new artists. The daytime programme is a relaxed way to start for newcomers.