‘I tackled Barcelona’s wildest celebration week – right here’s why it’s best to too’
OPINION: From Sónar and District to Off Sónar, four days in Barcelona delivered bucket-list DJs, epic laser shows, new friends and unforgettable rave moments in the sun
Here’s why I recommend three festivals in four days(Image: Carly Hacon)
Why settle for one festival when you can do three? That was my mindset heading into four unforgettable days in Barcelona, where I was lucky enough to experience not only Sónar but also Off Sónar and District – three events that together transformed the city into one giant celebration of electronic music.
Sónar is the beating heart of it all. Since launching in 1994, it has grown into one of the world’s most influential electronic music festivals, blending cutting-edge artists, creative technology and unforgettable live performances.
Over time, its success has inspired a whole ecosystem of events across Barcelona. Off Sónar has become the city-wide extension of the festival, with legendary promoters and brands hosting their own parties, while District adds yet another layer to the week with curated line-ups and immersive production that keeps the energy going from day to night.
The result? A music lover’s paradise. The line-ups were every bit as expansive as the venues themselves. Every event boasted multiple stages, each with its own identity and sound.
Towering LED screens, mind-blowing laser shows, theatrical visuals and booming sound systems created an atmosphere that felt larger than life. No matter where you wandered, there was another incredible set waiting to pull you in around every twist and turn.
Picking highlights is almost impossible, but Kelis at Sónar was one of my standout performances of the week, bringing charisma, powerhouse vocals and infectious energy to the stage.
However, finally seeing The Prodigy live was a genuine bucket-list moment and worth every second of the wait. The Rinse stage was absolutely sick, delivering nonstop energy from start to finish, while catching Skepta live added another unforgettable memory.
District had plenty of magic too. Heading backstage for Silva Bumpa’s set was a vibe in itself, and seeing Max Dean and Luke Dean perform only added to the experience.
By Sunday, it was time for one final blowout at Off Sónar, where Elrow delivered exactly what you’d expect – an explosion of colour, creativity, house music and organised chaos that somehow still felt effortless.
And then there’s Barcelona itself. I felt incredibly lucky to spend four days in a city that has so much to offer beyond the music. Sunshine flooded the streets from morning until night, the architecture was breathtaking, and there was history and culture around every corner.
Between events, I wandered through buzzing neighbourhoods, grabbed amazing food at local spots and soaked up the Mediterranean atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the afternoon sightseeing before dancing until sunrise – and somehow still want to do it all again the next day.
Perhaps my favourite part of the trip wasn’t even the music – it was the people. I spent the first half of the week solo raving, but making friends on the dancefloor couldn’t have been easier.
The crowds were welcoming, the atmosphere was relaxed and everyone was there for the same reason – to enjoy incredible music. Huge shoutout to Hilde from Norway and Chris from Indonesia, who turned chance encounters into genuine friendships and reminded me just how global the dance music community really is.
When my best friend Chanel arrived for the second half of the celebrations, the trip somehow got even better. We bounced between stages, danced until our feet ached, laughed our way through the late-night sets and soaked up every last second of the atmosphere together. Having started the week solo and ended it with one of my favourite people made the whole experience feel even more special.
Barcelona during Sónar week is something every dance music fan should experience at least once. It’s more than a festival, it’s a city-wide celebration that brings together people from every corner of the globe.
If you’re making the trip, my advice is simple… Don’t stop at one festival. Do all three.
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