September in Spain has a special feel to it. As the intense heat of summer begins to fade and the crowds start to thin, the country comes alive with some of its most interesting celebrations. It’s a month packed with everything from huge city-wide fiestas and historical re-enactments to local harvest festivals celebrating the season’s wine and rice.
Major cultural festivals and celebrations in Spain this September
Spain is brilliant in September, with all sorts of traditional celebrations taking place across the country. A few of the big ones are worth planning a trip around, as they give you a real insight into local culture and history.
Festes de la Mercè: Barcelona’s biggest celebration
If you find yourself in Barcelona from the 23rd of September, you’ll be walking straight into the city’s largest annual street party, La Mercè. This is the city’s festa major, or main festival, which honours one of its patron saints.
The whole city gets involved with parades of gegants i capgrossos (giants and ‘big-heads’), spectacular castells (human towers), and the famous correfoc (fire run), where locals dressed as devils run through the streets with fireworks. It’s quite a spectacle.
Rioja grape harvest festival in Logroño
Held around the 21st of September, the festival is officially known as the Fiestas de San Mateo. It kicks off the grape harvesting season in Spain's most famous wine region. You can see the traditional ceremonial grape stomping and the offering of the first grape juice to the region's patron saint. Naturally, there's plenty of wine and local food to get stuck into.
Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos: a historical fiesta in Cartagena
In the last ten days of September, the city of Cartagena in Murcia goes all out to re-enact the Second Punic War. The Carthaginians and Romans Festival sees thousands of locals dress up in period costumes for mock battles and grand parades of Roman legions and Carthaginian troops.
Best music festivals in Spain in September 2025
Beyond the traditional fiestas, Spain’s music festival scene is buzzing in September. It’s a chance to catch some big international acts and discover new Spanish bands in fantastic city locations.
BAM Festival (Barcelona Acció Musical)
Running alongside the Festes de la Mercè in Barcelona, BAM (which stands for Barcelona Acció Musical) is a series of concerts scattered across the city. It’s known for showcasing a great mix of local and international indie, rock, and electronic music. This year, there are concerts by Lido Pimienta, Kiddy Smile, and Tarta Relena. Best of all, most of the concerts are completely free, making it a brilliant way to stumble upon your new favourite band while exploring the city.
Granada Sound
This two-day festival takes place on 12th and 13th September and has become a huge fixture on the Spanish indie music calendar. Granada Sound focuses mainly on homegrown talent, so it’s the perfect place to get to know the Spanish music scene. Artists this year include Niña Polaca, Barry B, Garcia Picasso, Viva Suecia and Not Charlie.
Jardín de las Delicias Festival
Taking place on the 19th and 20th September 2025 on the Complutense University campus in Madrid. The festival focuses mainly on Spanish music, with acts like Melendi and Pignoise on the bill for 2025.
Brava Madrid
This one has more of an international pop and indie vibe, with artists like Anastacia, Olly Alexander, and Ojete Calor scheduled to play this year. Brava Madrid is held at the Recinto Ferial in Torrejón de Ardoz, which is a little way out of the city centre.
Other September festivities across Spain
Beyond the big city takeovers and music events, September is a brilliant month to see some of Spain's more specific cultural celebrations. These festivals are often deeply rooted in regional identity and offer a fascinating glimpse into local traditions.
Euskal Jaiak (Basque Festival) in San Sebastián
Held over the first couple of weeks of September, these festivities are a full-blown celebration of Basque traditions. The main event is the spectacular rowing regattas in La Concha bay, where teams in traditional trainera boats compete fiercely. The city also fills with displays of rural sports (herri kirolak), like stone lifting and wood chopping, alongside Basque music and dancing.
Sueca Rice Fiesta in Valencia
From the 12th until the 14th of September, the town of Sueca, in the centre of Valencia's rice-growing region, celebrates its most famous crop. The main event is the prestigious International Paella Competition, where chefs from all over the world compete to cook the most authentic Paella Valenciana. A festival dedicated to rice might sound specific, but it's one of Spain's most unusual festivals, which are often tied to local produce and centuries-old traditions.
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