History

The Porta Ferrada Festival was founded in 1958 in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, at a time when the city sought to go beyond sun-and-beach tourism and reaffirm culture as a key part of its identity. Linked to the town’s musical tradition —home to composers such as Juli Garreta— the festival was initially held in front of the monastery, next to the historic Porta Ferrada that gives it its name and has since become its main symbol.

In its early years, the festival was organized by the City Council. From 1983 onwards, the Joventuts Musicals association took over its management, leading a period mainly focused on classical music and featuring both local and international performers. This stage was key in consolidating the festival as a stable cultural event deeply rooted in the territory.

A major turning point came with its 25th edition, when Albert Mallol joined as artistic director, a role he still holds today. Under his leadership, the festival broadened its scope and evolved into a 360º festival, incorporating new genres and disciplines such as jazz, rock and dance, shaping the diverse and contemporary programme that defines it today.

Over the years, the festival’s growth has gone hand in hand with the evolution of its venues. From its first stages in front of the monastery, it later moved to Plaça Abadia and gradually incorporated new spaces to accommodate larger formats. In 2003, the creation of Espai Port, by the sea, marked a new phase and became one of its most iconic venues. Later on, spaces such as Guíxols Arena have enabled the festival to host large-scale productions and expand its capacity.

Throughout its history, the festival has welcomed leading national and international artists such as Lou Reed, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Patti Smith, Bryan Ferry, Joan Baez, Wilco, Two Door Cinema Club, Belle & Sebastian, New Order, Tom Jones, Salif Keïta, Jordi Savall, the Munich Opera Ballet, The Pretenders, Joan Manuel Serrat, Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea and Ludovico Einaudi, among many others. This artistic diversity has made it possible to build an open and plural programme capable of attracting a wide range of audiences.

In recent years, the Porta Ferrada Festival has consolidated a public-private management model that combines institutional support, artistic direction and collaboration with cultural operators, and is now entering a new phase led by the promoter Barcelona Events Musicals.

At the same time, the festival has strengthened its connection with the city and its social fabric, with a strong presence of volunteers and a deep sense of belonging among its audience. Today, with more than six decades of history, the Porta Ferrada Festival is the oldest summer festival in Catalonia and one of the country’s leading cultural events.