Top 10 Music Festivals in Spain 2022

No doubt many of you are planning a holiday in the sun, and similarly, a good chunk of you are probably settling on Spain. Wise choice. Not just because it's full of culture, from art to food, and a charm that's incredibly infectious, but because it's absolutely packed with music festivals.

For those closer to home (particularly 18 year-old Spanish citizens) the government have made a bursary of €400 available to spend on live art and cultural products, and where better to boost the country's cultural and creative industries than attending one of Spain's famous festivals?

We've given ourselves the unenviable task of trying to pick out just ten of the country's best to help inform your decision. 

Primavera Sound

Festival lineup (2022): Gorillaz, Tame Impala, The Strokes, Lorde, Dua Lipa, Tyler, the Creator, Pavement, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs 

The eclectic giant has been going consistently for 20 years now and has racked up a hall of fame that includes Radiohead, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop and Arcade Fire to name just a few. Primavera Sound sets up at Barcelona's Parc del Forum on the glorious Spanish coast, where over 100,000 people every year are treated to a near-peerless lineup.

To celebrate its landmark edition in 2022, the Primavera Sound has expanded to an epic two weeks, throwing together the biggest names across the music spectrum for what is arguably Spain's best established and most revered music festival.

When & where: 2-4 June 2022 & 9-12 June 2022; Barcelona

Primavera Sound Guide

Mad Cool Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Metallica, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Muse, Stormzy, Florence + the Machine, twenty one pilots, Pixies

After a spectacular debut in 2016, and three incredible follow-ups that built upon the strong foundations, Mad Cool brings those at the top of the rock game to heart of Madrid once more in 2022. Regularly delivering on their vision to showcase rock music's biggest and boldest talents in the Spanish capital only further cements Mad Cool as one of the country's most esteemed festivals.

When & where: 6-10 July 2022; Madrid

Mad Cool Festival Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

Azkena Rock Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Patti Smith, The Offspring, Brian Wilson, Suzi Quatro, Social Distortion, Emmylou Harris

Representing bonafide rock music legends in our list is Azkena Rock. The riff-tastic two day rock exploration compliments a lineup that rips from punk to classic rock, from legacy icons to cult favourites, all with an uncommercial feel that solidifies its 15+ year history upon a foundation of unadorned rock love. 

When & where: 16-18 June 2022; Vitoria-Gasteiz

Azkena Rock Festival Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

Bilbao BBK Live

Festival lineup (2022): LCD Soundsystem, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys, J Balvin, Placebo, Stromae, Bicep [live], Moderat

Bilbao BBK Live ticks all the location boxes with its mountainous backdrop. Nestled on the slopes of the Arriaz Mountains with an intimate atmosphere away from the city itself, the festival provides some fantastic views over Bilbao. Oh, and the lineups are pretty darn great too.

When & where: 7-9 July 2022; Bilbao

Bilbao BBK Live Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

BBF: Barcelona Beach Festival

Festival lineup (2022): Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, Don Diablo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, MORTEN, Timmy Trumpet

With its huge lineups and even bigger production, BBF is a mecca for dance music lovers. Barcelona's Platja del Forùm sets the scene, with the Mediterranean as a beautiful backdrop to some of the biggest DJs and producers in the world.

When & where: 2 July 2022; Barcelona

BBF Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

Festival Cruïlla

Festival lineup (2022): Jack White, Duran Duran, Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40, Residente, Rozalén, Hot Chip, Rigoberta Bandini

Held in Barcelona's scenic Parc del Fòrum each year, Festival Cruïlla fuses together global sounds with domestic favourites, though it's also an opportunity to catch legends of international renown - there's always a few box office artists thrown in for good measure. 

When & where: 6-9 July 2022; Barcelona

Festival Cruïlla Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

A Summer Story

Festival lineup (2022): Tiësto, Amelie Lens, Timmy Trumpet, MORTEN, The Martinez Brothers

Dedicating half of its lineup to the 'mainstream' and half to the 'underground', A Summer Story manages to cover a sizeable chunk of the broad dance music spectrum, with headliners that range from bombastic EDM to minimal techno.

When & where: 17-18 June 2022; Madrid

A Summer Story Guide / Book Tickets

Festival Internacional de Benicàssim

Festival lineup (2022): Kasabian, Justice, Steve Aoki, Tyga, Two Door Cinema Club, The Kooks, Mando Diao

Renowned for its lazy beach days and hectic nights, FIB has become one of the most globally recognised names in the Spanish festival scene. Hosting unforgettable summer weekends on the Spanish coast for more than two decades, every year its showcase of rock, indie, alternative and electro basks in beautiful sunshine. 

When & where: 14-18 July 2022; Castellón

FIB Guide / Book Tickets & Packages

DGTL Barcelona

Festival lineup (2022): Ben Klock, Maya Jane Coles, Hunee, Palms Trax, I Hate Models

Picture this: the finest DJs weaving their sounds between futuristic site design, sculptures and interactive performance art. If you know anything about DGTL's Dutch origins, or their now global festival network, you know this one is pretty special. 

When & where: 2-3 September 2022; Barcelona

DGTL Barcelona Guide / Waiting List

Sónar Festival

Festival lineup (2022): The Chemical Brothers, AJ Tracey, Richie Hawtin, The Blessed Madonna, Moderat, Arca, Bonobo

The Barcelona electronic mecca that has become a global pioneer in the scene, pulling in the finest names on the block but also those emerging from the underground, with a track record of spotting what's hot that's second to none. There's also some time to explore the electronic genre further, with conferences and talks by leading industry professionals and creatives.

When & where: 16-18 June 2022; Barcelona

Sónar Festival Guide / Waiting List

You can see all of Festicket's Spanish festivals right here.