Sónar
Sónar is Barcelona's electronic music and multimedia art festival, founded in 1994 and now a global benchmark with over 30 editions. It is a ticketed event held normally in mid-June, combining live performances, DJ sets, installations, and the technology congress Sónar+D. Dates and lineups are announced each year at sonar.es.
What it is and where it comes from
Sónar was born in Barcelona in June 1994, founded by Ricard Robles, Enric Palau and Sergi Caballero under the official name Festival Internacional de Música Avanzada y Arte Multimedia. That first edition, split between the CCCB and Sala Apolo, drew around 6,000 people and featured artists such as Laurent Garnier, Sven Väth and Holger Czukay. Since then it has never stopped growing: in 2025 it broke records with 161,000 attendees across Sónar Week. It is electronic music, yes — but with an experimental, discovery-driven edge that sets it apart from a straight-up club festival. The model has been exported to more than 100 international editions across 34 cities, from Tokyo to Reykjavik. Key tip: don't come expecting only big hits; some of the most interesting moments happen in rare live sets and emerging acts you won't find on any other bill.
Format, stages and Sónar+D
Historically Sónar split into two blocks: Sónar by Day (showcases, installations, emerging talent, a relaxed and cultural atmosphere) and Sónar by Night (major headliners in techno, house and bass until dawn, with spectacular production). Worth noting: from 2026 that format changes — both blocks merge into a single venue with a continuous session — so check the structure for your year at sonar.es. Stages typically include SonarVillage, SonarHall, SonarClub, SonarLab, SonarPark and the circular SonarCar, each with its own character. Running alongside is Sónar+D, the creativity, technology and AI congress featuring talks, workshops and installations, which requires a separate ticket. Key tip: the night programme is intense and long — pace yourself, stay hydrated and don't try to see everything. If the experimental side is what draws you, the daytime block and Sónar+D deliver more with far less crowd pressure.
Tickets, dates and venues
Sónar is a ticketed event: you need a pass to enter the site and there is no free access. It is normally held in mid-June across roughly three days (Thursday to Saturday). Historically it used two venues — Fira Montjuïc for the day and Fira Gran Via in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat for the night — although from 2026 the festival consolidates into a single site at Fira Gran Via; always verify the current venue before making plans. Multi-day passes and single-day tickets are available, with pricing that varies by edition, plus a separate ticket for Sónar+D. Exact dates, the full lineup and official pricing are published each year at sonar.es, its only reliable source. Key tip: buy only through sonar.es or authorised sales points — resale on social media is a minefield for scams. And book early: ticket prices usually rise in tiers as the lineup is revealed.
Getting there and practical tips
Take the metro and leave the car behind. For Fira Gran Via (L'Hospitalet), your reference is the L9 Sud line: the Fira and Europa|Fira stops put you a couple of minutes from the entrance, and the L9 connects directly to the airport with no transfers. For the former Montjuïc venue, access was via Espanya (L1/L3). Key tip on the way back: late at night, taxis and rideshares are nearly impossible to find due to simultaneous demand, so rely on the metro and check its real timetable on the TMB website for each day — Saturday nights usually run continuously, but on weekdays services end earlier. On accommodation: during Sónar Week the city fills up and prices spike, so book months in advance. And always check the re-entry policy and the venue's payment system on the official website, as both can change from one edition to the next.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sónar free to attend?
When does Sónar take place?
What is the difference between Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night?
How do I get to the venue and get back late at night?
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