Sitges Film Festival 2026: the ultimate first-timer's guide

From 8 to 18 October 2026, Sitges becomes one of the world's major centres for fantastic cinema. This is the 59th edition.

If you are staying in Barcelona and have never been to a film festival in Spain, the practical details matter more than the line-up. Venues are scattered around a small seaside town, screenings start early, queues form, and passes work differently from single tickets.

What has been announced

The opening film is Found Alive, directed by Carlota Pereda and starring Chloë Grace Moretz.

The announced closing film is Wicker, with Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård.

Names announced by the festival for awards, tributes and activities this year include Peter Jackson, Danny DeVito, Amy Irving, Robert Eggers, Yuen Woo-ping, Takashi Shimizu, Rick Baker, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Meiko Kaji and Adrienne Barbeau.

One caveat worth knowing: an announced award or tribute does not always mean a guaranteed appearance on a specific date. Check the official site before building a whole day around one person.

The venues

They are not all in one place, which is what catches out first-timers. The main ones:

• Meliá Sitges Auditorium — the main screen and the festival's hub.
• Sala Tramuntana — also within the Meliá complex.
• Sala Llevant / Brigadoon — the cult, alternative and more extreme strand.
• Cinema Prado — one of the town's historic cinemas, and a regulars' favourite.
• Escorxador Cultural Centre and Miramar Cultural Centre — municipal venues in the official circuit.
• Meeting — an open-air gathering space with activities, music, screenings and podcasts.
• Fanshop and Foodtastic — the official store and a food-truck area by the sea.

Official venue list: sitgesfilmfestival.com.

Do not try to see everything

The classic first-year mistake is an impossible schedule. Sitges works far better when you pick a few priorities and leave room for walking between venues, queueing, eating and the things you did not plan.

Passes and tickets

The festival sells accreditations, packs and single tickets. Formats and prices change each year, and some passes sell out weeks in advance.

We do not publish availability here because it changes daily. Check the official site on the day you decide to buy — and buy only there.

Getting there from Barcelona

Commuter rail is the practical option. Sitges is on Rodalies line R2 Sud, and the town centre is walkable from the station.

The return is what people forget. Late screenings finish late and the last train does not wait. Check return times before booking an evening screening, and do not rely on special timetables from previous editions.

Official timetables: rodalies.gencat.cat. Sitges also tops our list of day trips by train if you want to visit outside festival season.

Is it worth going without a ticket?

Yes, with different expectations. During the festival the town has a street atmosphere, open venues, the Fanshop, the Meeting space and public activities.

If you want to watch films, book screenings. If you want the atmosphere, much of the day can be enjoyed outside a cinema.

Official site: sitgesfilmfestival.com. Dates and regulations: rules & regulations.

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