Barcelona has some of the best weather, especially in the summer, due to its location right on the sea, and there’s nothing better to do on a mild summer night than attend an out-door film festival. In some of the most beautiful places across Barcelona, you can watch up and coming films from around the world and experience the city under the stars. Check out some of the best open-air film festivals in Barcelona below!
Outdoor Film Festivals in Barcelona
Cinema a la fresca- Finestrelles Shopping Centre
A continuation of the Cinema a la Fresca series, the Finestrelles Shopping Centre Film Festival in Barcelona is similarly free and open to all. The films are screened on the centre’s restaurant floor, and will feature names such as ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and ‘Lion Boy’, as well as 16 others over the course of the summer. This film festival in Barcelona is great for children and families, but people of all ages will be sure to enjoy the environment and the movies it has to offer.
- Date: Every Saturday from May 20th to September 23rd
- Location: Finestrelles Shopping Centre
- More info
Mecal Air
Another free film festival in Barcelona, Mecal Air is hosted in the Can Frames Museum, and is known for screening an array of short films, each night with a different universal theme. You can expect one night to be devoted to a theme such as sci-fi or horror, while another one might be full of animation. The screenings are held from June 27th to July 7th this year, and are sure to be a great time!
- Date: June 27th to July 7th
- Location: Can Framis Museum
- More info
Sala Montjuïc
Sala Montjuïc is one of the most popular outdoor film festivals in Barcelona, mainly for its beautiful location. It is hosted on the grounds of the Montjuïc Castle, or ‘el Castell de Montjuïc.’ Films from all time periods and countries are shown in the movie’s original language with Spanish or Catalan subtitles. This year’s lineup includes four films this year, including recent hits ‘The Holdovers’ (‘Los Que Se Quedan’) and ‘Past Lives’ (‘Vidas Pasadas’). Additionally, the Sala Montjuïc Film Festival includes live music concerts before each screening, featuring local Barcelona bands of all genres. Tickets range from 8 to 11 euros, and are open for purchase on their website now!
- Date: June 28th to August 2nd
- Location: La Sala Montjuic
- More info
Cinema Lliure a la Platja
Started 12 years ago, Cinema Lluire a la Platja is a free film festival in Barcelona that is held on Sant Sebastià beach. It is known for its screenings of avant-garde and alternative films, as well as showing a specially-selected short movie before each main feature. While the actual screenings begin at sunset, viewers are encouraged to get there early. Pack chairs, food, games, and more, and enjoy a lovely evening on the beach!
- Date: June to August
- Location: Barcelona
- More info
Cinema a la Fresca- A L'Illa Diagonal
At the Cinema a la Fresca a L’illa Diagonal, the L’illa Diagonal shopping center is transformed into a movie theater, and movies are projected onto a screen in the middle of it. This film festival in Barcelona is perfect for families with kids of all ages, and every year has a theme as well. This year’s hasn’t been released yet, but you can find it on their website once it is!
- Date: June to End of July
- Location: Illa Diagonal Shopping Center
- More info
CosmoNits
CosmoNits is a film festival in Barcelona dedicated to all things science- including science fiction. From classic science fiction films to newer, less traditional releases, the festival is renowned in the genre. Additionally, the festival is held at the CosmoCaixa, a science museum in Barcelona, so tickets for the night include entry into the museum, as well as workshops, games, scientific tasks, family activities, live music, and, of course, the film screening. Tickets are only 9 euros, and sell out fast, so get them on the website now!
- Date: July to August
- Location: CosmoCaixa Science Museum
- More info
Pantalla Pavelló Film Series
The Pantalla Pavelló Film Series is special for its location- the films are projected directly onto the beautiful modern architecture of the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, which was built in 1929 for the German part of the International Exhibition. The film festival is dedicated to exploring the ‘relationship between the built environment, its limits and its borders, the people who inhabit it, and how this relationship is accentuated and revealed in its maximum expression.’ In other words, the importance of themes such as architecture.
This year, the festival’s theme is ‘Architect Skin.’ Pantalla Pavelló will present three films surrounding the topic of the journeys of children of famous architects. The movies are shown on July 1st, August 5th, and September 2nd. Tickets are not yet available on their website, but they will surely be released soon!
- Date: July 1st, August 5th, and September 2nd
- Location: Mies van der Rohe Pavilion
- More info
Barcelona Plató
Lastly, the Barcelona Plató festival features screenings at Park Güell, one of the most beautiful and popular sites in all of the city. The theme of the movies is Barcelona- films with the city as a main part. The festival is free of charge and open to all, but reserve your place! Spots are sure to fill up quickly. Registration is not available currently, but will be open soon through the website linked below.
- Date: June to August
- Location: Park Güell
- More info
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