Dates: 16 October - 20 October 2025 | Calella, Barcelona, Spain

Set the stage for one of INTERKULTUR’s most popular events: Since 2012 the annual festival "Canta al mar – Festival Coral International" in Calella and Barcelona has been a highlight attraction for countless choirs from all around the world.

Experience a joyful and relaxed choir event in a festival that aptly blends the spirit of the holidays with a passion for music on the Mediterranean Coast of Spain. Have  your Irish choir be apart of a once-in-a-lifetime musical adventure and become  members of a community where excitement reverberates with every note and a new melody is revealed with every sunset!

Choir Contact Ireland can help you plan an unforgettable choral trip for your choir. We take care of the planning and logistical arrangements, dealing with the ground operators and organisers, allowing you to focus on the singing. Contact us today for more information and sing with your choir in Barcelona, Spain!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Choirs can choose to perform in the non-competitive section or opt for competitive participation

Competition | Mixed Choirs, Choirs of Equal Voices, Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensembles, Children‘s Choirs & Youth Choirs, Sacred Choral Music a capella, Pop & Jazz and Folklore.

Evlaution Performance | Friendship Concerts | Official Events |

Competition Categories

Category A - Difficulty Level I

A1 - Mixed Choirs

A2 - Choirs of Equal Voices

Category B - Difficulty Level II

B1 - Mixed Choirs

B2 - Choirs of Equal Voices

Category C - Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensembles

B1 - Mixed Choirs

B2 - Choirs of Equal Voices

Category G - Childrens & Youth Choirs

G1 - Children's Choirs

G2 - Youth Choirs

Category S - World Sacred Music a capella

Category F - Folklore

Category P - Pop & Jazz

Evaluation Performances

For non-competing choirs

- Three pieces of the choir's choice

- Performed before a panel of qualified international jurors who provide immediate positive artistic and pedagogical advice for improvement

-Certificates of participation will be awarded, as well as evaluation ratings and recommendation letters for future competitions upon request

Number of singers: unlimited
Singing time: maximum 15 minutes
Accompaniment: possible
Duration: 45 minutes

Frienship Concerts

Participating choirs may register to perform together with other international choirs. Choirs must prepare approximately 15 minutes of their own music pre-approved by the artistic committee. The concert should be preferably a cappella or with own instruments. Piano or digital piano can be provided upon request.

The city centre of Calella offers several possibilities for performing in international friendship concerts. Selected choirs can also sing at the famous monastery Montserrat close to Barcelona and at the impressive Cathedral of Barcelona. Interested choirs also have the possibility to perform during a mass on Sunday noon in Calella.

Please be aware that several friendship concerts are planned open air. In the event that weather conditions do not allow this, some concerts may be cancelled due to the weather. The organizers will try to manage alternatives but choirs do not have any legal claim to this.

Choirs can also take part in friendship concerts only.

Official Events

All choirs are supposed to participate in the official events. The big parade of choirs through Calella will open the festival "Canta al mar" on Thursday. This parade ends with the opening event at the beautiful park "Pati de l'Ós", which is located above the city and offers a scenic view to the coast. On Sunday, "Canta al mar - Calella sings" will take place in downtown Calella. During this occasion all choirs will sing at the same time in the streets and at the squares of Calella. The festival will be continued with the culinary highlight "Fiesta de la amistad". There the festival will end with a huge choir party.

SAMPLE ITINERARY