Golden Moon Awards 2026 in Barcelona
Golden Moon Awards 2026 will take place on November 17 at one of Europe’s most historic nightlife venues. The 11th edition of the international awards ceremony will be hosted at Sala La Paloma in Barcelona, a venue that opened in 1903 and is regarded as Europe’s oldest operating nightclub.
The evening will also feature the official announcement of The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2026, with the venue taking the number-one position receiving the prestigious World’s Best Club 2026 Golden Moon Award.
The ceremony will conclude a full day dedicated to the international nightlife industry. Before the awards, Sala La Paloma will host the 11th International Nightlife Congress, bringing together industry professionals and experts to discuss artificial intelligence, safety, technology, sustainability and the future of nightlife.
Golden Moon Awards 2026 at the historic Sala La Paloma
Barcelona provides an exceptional setting for this year’s edition, and the choice of Sala La Paloma gives the event an additional historical dimension.
Operating since 1903, the venue has become an important part of Barcelona’s cultural and nightlife heritage. Its more than 120 years of history make it a fitting location for an event celebrating outstanding achievements across the global club and entertainment industry.
Golden Moon Awards 2026 will bring together nightclub owners and operators, promoters, DJs, artists, technology suppliers, government representatives, academics and other professionals connected with the international nightlife sector.
The evening programme will conclude with a Gala Dinner and an official After-Gala Party.
The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2026 to be revealed in Barcelona
One of the most anticipated moments of the night will be the announcement of The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2026.
The venue taking first place in the ranking will also receive the Golden Moon Award for World’s Best Club 2026.
The final result will combine the public vote with the evaluation of a professional jury, with the complete ranking being unveiled during the ceremony in Barcelona on November 17.
14 Golden Moon Awards categories
A total of 14 Golden Moon Awards will be presented in 2026, recognising achievements by venues, artists, events, companies, organisations and initiatives contributing to the development of the global nightlife industry.
The categories are:
- World’s Best Club 2026
- World’s Best Innovative Project in Nightlife 2026
- World’s Most Sustainable Venue 2026
- World’s Best Inclusive Nightlife Initiative 2026
- World’s Breakthrough Artist 2026
- World’s Best Event 2026
- World’s Best Collaborative Project in Nightlife Security 2026
- World’s Best Festival 2026
- World’s Best Act of Excellence and Protection for Customers and Workers 2026
- World’s Best Nightlife Business Career Award 2026
- World’s Best Nightlife Business Group 2026
- World’s Best DJ Career Award 2026
- World’s Best DJ 2026
- World’s Best Gastronomy & Nightlife Fusion 2026
The official nominees for categories two through fourteen are scheduled to be announced on October 17, 2026, exactly one month before the Gala.
International Nightlife Congress focuses on the future
Before the Golden Moon Awards 2026 ceremony begins, Sala La Paloma will also host the 11th International Nightlife Congress.
The Congress will provide a platform for nightlife operators, public authorities, technology companies, experts and other industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and discuss the major challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Key topics on the programme include:
- digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence in nightlife,
- new marketing strategies and the future of venue management,
- the use of AI and technology to improve safety,
- cooperation between nightlife businesses, authorities and local communities,
- sustainability and responsible business practices,
- reducing plastic use within the nightlife sector,
- the relationship between nightlife, tourism and culture,
- the international expansion of the global nightlife industry.
A significant part of the discussion will focus on how new technology can help venues operate more efficiently while improving safety and the overall customer experience.
Barcelona becomes a global nightlife meeting point
Bringing together the International Nightlife Congress, the Golden Moon Awards and The World’s 100 Best Clubs ranking will place Barcelona at the centre of the international nightlife industry this November.
The event is expected to attract professionals representing different parts of the nightlife ecosystem, including venue operators, festival organisers, DJs, artists, technology providers, safety specialists and public authorities.
More than an awards ceremony, Golden Moon Awards 2026 will also provide an opportunity to discuss the direction in which global nightlife is heading. Artificial intelligence, safety, sustainability, tourism and new venue management models are becoming increasingly important subjects for an industry undergoing rapid transformation.
The main spotlight, however, will be on Sala La Paloma on November 17, 2026, when this year’s Golden Moon Awards winners and the complete The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2026 ranking will finally be revealed.