Festival Castell de Peralada

What it is and what you see

The Festival Castell de Peralada, which now signs itself Festival Perelada, is one of the great summer music and performing arts festivals in Catalonia. It began in 1987 and its core is opera, with dance very close behind: great titles and lyric voices, ballet and contemporary dance, commissions from new composers and, in the Estiu Musical cycle, concerts of other genres. In 2026 it celebrated its fortieth year.

It has three stages within the castle grounds. The open-air auditorium, in the gardens of the castle park, hosts the concerts and shows at night. The Carme church and cloister are reserved for recitals, chamber music and small-format opera.

When

It takes place every summer, in July and August. The 2026 edition closed on 29 August with a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. The 2027 programme has not yet been published: the festival announces it on its website, and it is worth subscribing to its newsletter to hear when sales open.

Programme

Each season is divided into three strands that the website lets you filter: opera and classical, dance and Estiu Musical, plus some "other events" with talks. The big concerts are at night in the auditorium; the recitals, in the church and cloister. The programme can change: the organisers reserve the right to change performers, delay the start for technical or weather reasons and cancel a performance if there is a risk.

Tickets and prices

Tickets are bought on the festival website or by phone, on 972 53 82 92, answered Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00. They arrive by email and can be printed or carried on your phone. Prices depend on each show and the area. They are not refunded or exchanged, unless the organisers cancel the performance; if a show is interrupted by rain or another cause after 45 minutes or half of the performance, there is no refund. If a show is sold out, join the waiting list: new tickets sometimes appear.

Getting there and where to park

The castle is on carrer del Castell, in Peralada, in the Alt Empordà. By car, from Barcelona leave the AP-7 at Figueres and continue towards Llançà and Portbou to the Peralada turning: an hour and a half's journey. From Girona it is about 40 minutes and from Figueres about 15. There is free parking in front of the entrance to the grounds.

The festival no longer has its own shuttle. By train, the high-speed station of Figueres-Vilafant is about 15 minutes away by taxi or by Ampurdán Bus bus; check the return timetable before you go, because the concerts finish late. If you have reduced mobility, notify them beforehand on 972 538 292 so that access can be arranged.

Practical tips

Children under 4 are not admitted, unless the organisers say otherwise for a specific show. Under-16s enter with a parent or guardian and with the access authorisation that is downloaded from the website.

Arrive in good time: once the performance has started, the organisers decide whether latecomers are let in. In the open-air auditorium, bring something warm for the night.

For dinner before or after, the festival recommends three restaurants in Peralada, all by reservation: the Restaurant Castell Perelada, L'Olivera and the Wine Bar Celler 1923. By day, make the most of it with the visit to the winery and the castle museum or medieval Peralada. To sleep nearby, the Hotel Peralada is next to the golf course.