Metrópoli Gijón: music and pop culture festival

Metrópoli is the festival where a rock gig, a comic convention, a fantasy-film exhibition and a gaming session all fit under one roof. Since 2014, Gijón’s Luis Adaro fairground has turned every summer into a small city devoted to pop culture for around ten days. It is one of the big events of early summer in northern Spain.

What it is

A multi-disciplinary festival combining:

• Concerts by Spanish and international artists across pop, rock, electronic, urban and indie, mostly in the evening.
• A comic convention (Comic Con) with artists, signings, shops and cosplay.
• Themed exhibitions on film, TV series and fantasy.
• Video games, gaming and tech.
• Family activities, workshops and meet-ups with online creators.
• A food area with food trucks.

A short history

The first edition was held in 2014, and from the following year it added the comic and pop-culture side that defines it today. Its usual home is the Luis Adaro fairground; during the pandemic-affected years it moved to the El Bibio bullring.

When and where

• When: from late June into early July, for about ten days. The 2026 edition ran from 26 June to 5 July. The 2027 dates have not been announced.
• Where: the Luis Adaro fairground in Somió, near Isabel la Católica park.

Official information, line-up and tickets are at metropoligijon.com. Confirmed concerts will also appear in our What’s On listings.

What to expect

• A very mixed crowd: families in the afternoon, comic and cosplay fans during the day, gig-goers at night.
• Plenty to see on site, so set aside several hours.
• Queues for the most popular exhibitions and signings at weekends.

Tips

• Buy tickets early if there is a concert you don’t want to miss.
• Go on a weekday afternoon for exhibitions and activities with fewer people.
• Getting there: walk from the centre along San Lorenzo beach or take a city bus. More options in getting around Gijón.
• Accommodation: late June and July are already high season, and Metrópoli can overlap with Semana Negra. Book early – see where to stay.
• With children: pair the festival with nearby attractions such as the Atlantic Botanical Garden; more ideas in Gijón with kids.

Tip: bring a light jacket for the night-time concerts; in Gijón, even in early July, evenings can be cool.