Where will you be for the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026?
If you’re within the roughly 190-mile (305 kilometers) wide path of totality through eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, you’ll catch a rare total solar eclipse, when the sun’s disk is completely blocked, and an eerie twilight descends.
Although you can research your own observation point, those in Spain will need to check shadow maps on The Eclipse App or Eclipse Horizon Checker. If you’re not confident to do that, consider an organized event — particularly one overseen by astronomers — where eclipse chasers can also share the experience with locals and other eclipse chasers.
Here are 10 fun observing events and festivals to experience the total solar eclipse with others in August.
1. Monte Valonsadero, Spain
Monte Valonsadero
Location: Soria, Castilla y León, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:29 p.m. CEST; 1 minute, 41 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 7 degrees.
The medieval town of Soria, in north-central Spain, has big plans for the eclipse, including a gathering at Monte Valonsadero. A natural park close to the town boasting light-pollution-free skies and Starlight Foundation certification, Valonsadero will host thousands of people, with plans underway for music, food, drinks and a free shuttle service from the city center.
2. Eclipse Festival 2026, Spain
Eclipse Festival 2026
Location: Prades, Tarragona, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:29 p.m. CEST; 51 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 5 degrees.
Many thousands will miss this eclipse because sightlines to the low sun haven’t been checked, which is a good reason to head to Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades (PAP) in Catalonia, Spain, as an astronomical park that’s home to Eclipse Festival 2026 — Prades. Expect music, workshops, lectures, observations, shows, telescopes and a planetarium during the Aug. 10-13 event. As a bonus, the park offers Starlight Foundation-certified stargazing under one of southern Europe’s darkest skies — ideal for the peak of the Perseids hours after totality.
3. Blue Lagoon Total Eclipse 2026
Blue Lagoon
Location: Blue Lagoon, Grindavíkurbær, Iceland
Time and duration of totality: 5:48 p.m. GMT; 1 minute, 36 seconds.
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 25 degrees.
As if the lava fields of Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula weren’t already an other-worldly location to experience totality, the famous Blue Lagoon will host a special event for the eclipse. At the geothermal spa set in a lava field, a US $750 ticket gets you into its blue, mineral-rich waters for totality, complete with a shuttle bus from Reykjavík, a two-course meal, two drinks, a bathrobe and towel and eclipse glasses for the partial phases.
4. EclipseFest 2026, Spain
EclipseFest 2026
Location: Aldea Santillana, Manjirón, Madrid, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:32 p.m. CEST; 1 minute, 15 seconds.
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 5 degrees.
In a cruel twist of fate, both Barcelona and Madrid are just outside the path of totality. However, the latter makes a great base for entering the path to the north. Just a 40-minute drive north is Aldea Santillana, an estate on the banks of the Atazar Reservoir usually used for weddings and events. On Aug. 12, it will host EclipseFest 2026, complete with activities, a welcome pack with glasses and guided eclipse viewing. Tickets cost €147 (adults) and €117 (children), and there are options to stay at the hotel. It’s organized by the astrotourism company El Nocturnario.
5. Ibiza PlayAbout Radio Fest, Ibiza
Ibiza PlayAbout Radio Fest
Location: off the coast of Ibiza, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:32 p.m. CEST; 1 minute 6 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 3 degrees.
It’s perhaps not a surprise that an island globally renowned for partying and super-clubs is planning one or two gatherings for the eclipse, though some venues have limited views of the low western horizon. Being staged from Aug. 10-14 by an internet radio station dedicated to house and techno, Ibiza PlayAbout Radio Fest, the action takes place across various venues on the White Isle. The key event is The Eclipse Boat Party, soundtracked by house music DJ Dario Nunez. Other events are best avoided; Jet Ibiza’s Jet Apartments are on the east coast, so pool party-goers will struggle to see anything of the eclipsed sun.
6. Umbra Festival, Spain
Umbra Festival
Location: Agolada Lake, Pantano De Brocos, Agolada, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:29 p.m. CEST; 34 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 12 degrees.
If you’re up for a 40-hour electronic music gathering, head to the Umbra Festival in northwest Spain from 4:00 p.m. CEST on Aug. 11, through 10:00 a.m. CEST on Aug. 13. Taking place at Agolada Lake (Pantano de Brocos) — actually a reservoir — expect a blend of house and minimal music. It’s about an hour’s drive from the tourist center of Santiago de Compostela in a quiet, agricultural region of rolling hills, river valleys and dark skies in the interior of Galicia. The only drawback is the limited duration of totality. Tickets are €62.15.
7. Iberia Eclipse, Spain
Iberia Eclipse
Location: Vinuesa, Soria, Castilla y León, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:29 p.m. CEST; 1 minute, 42 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 7 degrees.
Expect 5,000-10,000 people for five days of music, art and ceremony from Aug. 10-14 at Iberia Eclipse Festival 2026. Taking place near Vinuesa, just northwest of Soria, close to the Douro River, the festival will include tent camping and pre-setup tents, four stages spread across the hillside and forest, workshops, wild swimming and art. Expect trance and techno day and night — but a pause for totality. Tickets start at €240.
8. Astral Plane, Spain
Astral Plane
Location: La Pinilla Mountain Resort, Castilla y León, Segovia, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:31 p.m. CEST; 1 minute, 31 seconds
Held in La Pinilla ski resort in Spain’s Sierra Ayllón, Astral Plane is just an hour’s drive north of Madrid. Totality is expected to occur during a headline set by Detroit techno artist Kevin Saunderson, who’ll be halfway through a four-hour set. There are plans for similar events for the total solar eclipses in 2027 (also in Spain) and 2028 (Australia and New Zealand). Tickets cost from €175.
9. Sizigia Eclipse Gathering
Sizigia Eclipse Gathering
Location: Embalse Sotonera, Alcalá de Gurrea, Huesca, Spain
Time and duration of totality: 8:29 p.m. CEST; 40 seconds
Height of eclipsed sun above west: Approximately 5-6 degrees.
Here’s another major event being planned in a location that will enjoy totality — but only just. Close to the northern limit of the path of totality, just 40 seconds of totality will grace Sizigia Eclipse, a five-day “underground music” festival taking place from Aug. 10-14 beside a reservoir. Importantly, organizers promise a collective viewing from an elevated, open site with clear western horizon views. Tickets cost €262.50 tickets, with optional extras including a tipi camp and a shuttle bus from Barcelona and Zaragoza.
10. Iceland Eclipse Festival
Iceland Eclipse Festival
Location: Hellissandur, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
Time and duration of totality: 5:45 p.m. GMT; 2 minutes, 6 seconds.
Height of eclipsed sun above west: 25 degrees.
Though oddly beginning with the eclipse rather than using it as a centerpiece, Iceland Eclipse Festival in Hellissandur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is almost as close to the eclipse’s maximum point as it’s possible to get on land. Running from Aug. 12-15, the event will include live music, presentations and panels across two stages. Burning Man, SXSW and TED inspire it.
