Barcelona Tourist Guide > Fiestas in Barcelona

From books and roses to grapes and dragons, from giants to human castles, Barcelona has a plethora of fiestas to amaze you in the Catalan tradition. Whether they are celebrating a saint’s day or the changing of the seasons, the people of Barcelona fill the streets with color, music, and excitement for young and old. Experiencing the traditions ranging from Spanish to Catalan or even unique to the city of Barcelona, adds to a visitor’s enjoyment like nothing else can. The largest fiestas in Barcelona are Sant Joan (Saint John) on June 23rd ringing in the summer, and La Mercè for the Patron Saint, September 24th. The most beautiful holiday, is undoubtedly Sant Jordi (Saint George) – the day of the book and the day of the rose April 23rd. If you have the opportunity, don’t miss out on the chance to see the Correfoc, the Gegants, Castellers, Sardanes, and all the traditional festivities.

January | February | March | April | May | June | August | September | December | Public Holidays

January  

December 31 - January 1
The New Year in Barcelona is rung in with parties around town, all pausing just before midnight, in order to eat 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds of the year for 12 months of good luck, as is the tradition throughout Spain.

January 5
The Procession of the Three Kings. The "Magos" arrive to the city by boat to Port Vell and parade around town tossing candy to children, young and old, who fill the streets to greet them. The children wake up to gifts left by the Kings on the morning of January 6th.

Carnaval, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday.
From Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday, Barcelona gives itself up heart and soul to the kingdom of Carnestoltes. With a warm heart and a party mood, this potbellied ruler guides the desires of the city, filling Barcelona with masked balls, great feasts and processions full of creativity… In 2005 it begins on February 3th. Also huge celebrations and parades in Sitges, 30 minutes from Barcelona.

The Carnival has many activities, like the entrance of the "King" Carnestoltes as the inauguration of the festivities, or the Big "Botifarrada", a big catalan sausage breakfast. The main dish of course is La Gran Rua, the big parade where hundreds dress in their fanciest and craziest costumes and other thousands watch them!

Each neighbourhood has its own celebrations, one better than the other, so there are lots of choices to have a great time. See detailed information in the City Council's Website.

February 12
Santa Eulalia, the former Patron Saint of the city who had been displaced by La Merced, the current Patron Saint.

Festes de Sant Medir de Gracia
To mark the city's Festes de Sant Medir de Gracia in the first week of March, a procession of carriages and mounted riders parades around the Plaça Rius i Taulet bearing the banners of groups who organize the event, before heading along the Arrasbassada towards the hermitage of the patron saint of broad beans, Sant Medir, to enjoy a legumbre-filled lunch. In the afternoon, the procession parades down Gran de Gracia, tossing sweets into the crowd.

Barcelona Marathon Holy Week/Semana Santa
In 2005, Semana Santa runs from March 20-27. In Cataluña, on Palm Sunday Padrinos, (Godparents) give decorated and/or woven collections of ornate Palm leaves to their Godchildren, only to be followed by the giving of Monas elaborate chocolate creations involvng Easter Eggs or the latest fad from the Simpsons to Harry Potter. The processions of Semana Santa can be seen in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, hundreds of people carrying Jesus and His Mother to the Cathedral, amid the sound of drums and trumpets, but the most impressive and crowded processions occur in the south of Spain, in cities like Sevilla.

Sant Jordi
By far the most beautiful holiday in Barcelona, the anniversary of Sant Jordi, or Saint George, the parton saint of Catalonia falls on April 23. It is a day which has also been designated the Day Of The Book, coincidentally this is the same day in which Miguel de Cervantes -- the greatest Spanish writer -- and Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616.

Traditionally men give their lady a rose, while women present their men with a book. Book stalls and rose stands spring up throughout the city. Lovers of all ages stroll around town hand in hand, with a book or rose int he other. The 23rd is also popular for visiting the Generalitat, to enjoy its display of red roses.

The Tamborinada
A day of childrens entertainment, including theatre, dancing giants and music in Ciutadella. The Feria de Abril, a jolly combination of song, dance, food and wine also takes place at around this time of year.

Sant Ponç
On the 11th, Barcelona's c/Hospital is lined with stalls selling honey, herbs, candied fruit, perfumes, herbal wines, and other natural products, as part of the celebrations in honour of Sant Ponç, patron saint of beekeepers and herbalists.

Festa de la Bicicleta
The Festa de la Bicicleta, dedicated specifically to pedal power, falls around this time of year and special cycle-hire services are available on the day.

Corpus Christi - L'ou com Balla
Corpus Cristi is celebrated in June with parades of giants and big-headed carnival figures.
During the celebration of the L'ou com Balla, or the dancing egg festival, which dates from the 16th century, an emptied eggshell is perched above the stream of water issuing from many of the citys fountains which are themselves decorated with fragrant blooms.

Sonar
Three days and three nights in touch with the most up-to-date developments and featuring the most relevant national and international artists. Sonar presents more than 300 activities including DJ sets, concerts, titles projected at the SonarCinema and works in every multimedia format: installations, Net art, design,...For more info

Grec
June is culture month in Barcelona with several major festivals taking place. The Grec summer series, which incorporates a wide variety of cultural events and performances, kicks off in the last week of June and runs throughout July and into August. For more info

Sant Joan
June 23rd, summer solstice on the eve of Sant Joan (St. John), is a crazy night of bonfires and fireworks in the squares and streets of Barcelona. Celebrating the shortest night of the year, bonfires are built in all the neighbourhoods around the city and everyone ages 7-70 parties & sets off fire crackers & firworks all night long. The traditional Coca cake is eaten & sparkling wine cava is drunk in huge quantities. The biggest celebrations are to be found on the beaches & Monjuic hill, where people congregate to party through to sunrise…The 24th is a holiday, when the streets are earily quiet whilst everyone sleeps though the day, after the exertions of the night before, and there is usually a strong smell of gunpowder still lingering in the air! When the Spanish celebrate… they truly celebrate!

St Joan is not to be missed, not that it is possible to miss St. Joan if you happen to be hear on the night of 23rd June…Wherever you stay in the city, you will be very aware of lots of partying going on!.

Festa Major
The Assumption festival on August 15th is celebrated in the area of the Gràcia Quarter while the neighborhood adorns the streets and begins the celebration of Gracia's Festa Major in mid August with live music performances and street events. It will take place between August 15 and August 21.

The 11 of September, the "Diada" or National day of Catalonia.
This day, Catalonia celebrates its defeat by the troops of King Felipe V de Borbón, that day, Catalonia stopped being an independent nation. Many activities and acts are celebrated in all cities of Catalonia.

La Mercè
From September 19th to 24th is the festival of La Mercè, patroness of Barcelona. This is a time of big celebrations with four days of musical performances, parades of giants and big-headed figures, fireworks, the impressive correfocs -- fire creatures costumes that run through many streets of the city -- among other cultural and sport events, and open-air dancing in various places in the city. More information in the official website from the Barcelona City Council.

If you are already in Barcelona, you will be able to find more information about the events in La Merce booths near Plaza Catalunya.

The 13 of December begin the fair of belenes, around the cathedral. Artisan works for sale as well as Christmas trees and decorations.

Christmas
December 25

St. Stephen’s Day
December 26. Considered in Catalonia as a prolongation of Christmas, this day is celebrated with a family lunch.

Public Holidays in Barcelona