Summer is the best time to venture out of the city with the kids. An hour or two in any direction, smaller towns hand their streets over for a weekend: circus and after-dark fire runs, medieval markets, a river full of homemade rafts. It's a chance for kids to connect with the people and traditions of the region they live in, and to see a side of it beyond Barcelona. Each town puts its very best on show for these few days, with lots going on for all ages. Pick one for a day out, or make a weekend of it.
These are ordered by drive time from Barcelona, from the closest (about 30 minutes) to the farthest (about 2.5 hours).
There are a lot of festivals here! To narrow the 14 down to the few I'm considering, I saved the interesting ones using the heart icon.
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14 spots on the map
What’s in this collection
Festival Ple de Riure features comic theater shows, circus acts, clowns, and live music across Ocata Beach and Vallmora Park. The five-day program includes street theater, acrobatics, juggling, participatory circus, and concerts with unconventional instruments, all performed in open-air venues with sea views.
Roca Umbert opens Wednesday and Thursday evenings in July with three contemporary circus shows at 8 PM: Tancarville by Le G. Bistaki, Clam by Fèmut, and Bleu Électrique by Cirque Pardi. Three concerts feature Renaldo & Clara, Anna Ferrer, and Tarta Relena. The participatory installation De viu en viu by Roc Parés offers playful creation spaces based on live animal footage. Food trucks, lounging areas, and DJ sets complement the program.
Vilanova i la Geltrú's Major Festival honors the Virgin of the Snows with over 250 years of tradition. The program spans late July through early August with 50+ official events: human tower competitions (castells), fire runs (correfocs), parades with giants, children's processions, live concerts, workshops on popular culture, and a new drone show. August 4–5 feature the central events with traditional morning gatherings, the Vow of the People ceremony, and evening fire spectacles. A new picnic area with food trucks and chill music operates beachside.
The Festival of Legends of Catalonia fills Sant Martí de Tous with storytellers, theatrical performances, and family workshops across four days. The program includes the Mystery Blackout, where candlelight guides visitors through narrative routes; creative workshops for children; the Little Tous Space for young children featuring puppets and sensory activities; a medieval market; and evening theatrical shows. Performances blend oral tradition, theater, and local heritage with participatory experiences.
Les Nits Daurades is the main summer festival of the coastal town of Salou, running for two weeks with live music, cultural performances, street parades, and traditional dances including ball a l'envelat and ball de colles. The program features gegants (giant figures), castellers (human tower formations), a procession of the Virgin, fire night, sporting activities, and a fireworks display.
Festa Major de Constantí honors Saint Felix with over 40 scheduled activities across music, theater, workshops, processions, and children's programming. The festival features castles (human towers), children's fire runs, traditional dances, local entity performances, and community gathering spaces throughout the municipality.
The 31st Street Circus Fair fills La Bisbal d'Empordà with over 35 performing companies across three days. The program includes trapeze, acrobatics, juggling, clown acts, hand-to-hand balancing, and contemporary dance performances. Multiple outdoor stages host continuous shows throughout the day, with workshops and circus activities for children run by companies like Ska Circus and Los Herrerita.
Guissona becomes Iesso, a Roman city with gladiator combat, legionary processions, children's workshops on ancient games and Roman life, family dinners, water dances, and visits to the archaeological park. Over 50 artisan and food stalls operate throughout the festival, with performances from costumed actors portraying historical figures including Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.
Festa Major de Bagà runs across a week in late July and early August with music performances, sports competitions, creative workshops, magic shows, and traditional cultural activities spread throughout the village center. The program includes a ceremonial opening at Plaça Tiraval with speaker Jordi Garcia Petit, live concerts in public squares, children's craft sessions, outdoor games and tournaments, and evening entertainment. Most activities are free or cost a nominal fee.
Móra la Nova Major Festival runs ten days with giant processions, fire runs, children's shows, magic performances, water parties, bike races, workshops, concerts, and traditional dances. The program includes a gathering of 32 giant figures from across Catalonia and Aragon, foam parties, refreshing activities at the pool, and a fireworks display with closing concert.
Tortosa's old town hosts a 16th-century recreation featuring a Renaissance market with period vendors, street performances by actors and musicians, tavern routes serving historical menus, workshops in traditional crafts, storytelling for children, parades, and demonstrations of Renaissance-era trades across multiple plazas and heritage sites.
The Transsegre is a four-day water festival centered on a non-competitive river descent where participants navigate homemade boats down the Segre. The 41st edition features live music across multiple nights, including performances from Els Catarres, Claquera, and local artists, alongside DJ sets that run into early morning hours. Water activities, family spaces, and concerts fill the Parc de la Transsegre throughout the weekend.
Festival Esbaiola't is a four-day arts festival featuring circus acts, puppet shows, street theater, family concerts, and participatory workshops. The program includes open-air performances, a circuit of wooden sculptures scattered through village streets, and activities combining art with Pyrenees nature. Performances run across multiple time slots throughout the day in various village locations.
CircPicat is the 13th edition of a contemporary circus festival featuring acrobatic performances, risk-defying acts, and live arts. The program includes local and Catalan circus companies alongside international performers, with multiple performance spaces, circus workshops for children and teens, recreational activity zones, street entertainment, and food areas throughout Alpicat's venues.