In our section "Barcelona currently" we describe traditional and modern events events that are important in Barcelona, their backgrounds and their charm. Each year thousands of visitors come to Barcelona to experience these events.
The festival La Mercè is the largest and most colourful festival in the city's festival calendar and the absolute climax of Barcelona's event schedule. It is held in honour of the patron saint la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy) on September 24 each year is the "Fiesta Mayor" - the main festival - of Barcelona.
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The half-marathon in Barcelona, also known as the Mitja Marató de Barcelona, is held every March. It’s the second largest running event in Barcelona next to the Marathon. The next half-marathon takes place on 11 February 2018, and is also open to wheelchair users.
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Since 1978 Barcelona has its own city marathon which takes place at the beginning of March (2018 at 11 March). In the run up to this event there is a two day trade fair. The 42,195 km race goes through all of Barcelona's urban area.
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The Christmas season in Catalonia begins on 8 December, and has its culminating on 6 January, where it ends. Here we explain what is going on with the peculiar practice of "shitting uncles" in Catalan nativity scenes, and on Christmas, New Year and Epiphany is celebrated in Barcelona. We inform you on the opening hours and much more.
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“El Carneval” is celebrated in Barcelona as in other Central European countries. You may wear fancy dress and there are carnival arrangements processions, which are nearly as colourful as in Cologne or Mainz, and the pubs are crowded.
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Despite its dimensions, Barcelona has kept many of its traditions. You will experience this especially at Easter. There will be religious processions also at central plaza towers, which consist only of people; the so-called “Castells”.
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Sant Jordi – the day of the patron saint of Catalonia and day of the Book and Rose is on the 23rd of April. On this day it is common to give away books and roses. We also describe the legend of the Santa Geog (Jordi).
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The racing season in Europe traditionally begins with the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. The Formula 1 race on the 4,655 kilometre Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona is THE motorsport event in the Iberian Peninsula. The next Spanish Grand Prix will take place on race weekend from 12 to 14 May 2017. You can book tickets and parking reservations here. Without pre booking fee.
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The Sónar takes place in Barcelona since 1997, usually at the third weekend of June, and is one of the most renowned festivals of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art. It is the largest event of its kind in Europe. The Sónar Festival most certainly is one of the highlights of Barcelona's music calendar.
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Sant Joan on 24 June, day of St. John, is for many people part of the most important holidays in Barcelona. Two special events are celebrated: St. John's birthday - the patron saint of Catalonia - and the summer solstice, which is the shortest night of the year and the calendric beginning of the summer.
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This Catalan tradition's origin, to build human towers, dates back to the 18th century. The inhabitants of a small town of Valls, about 40 km west of Barcelona, started building the towers. The individual groups (colles) started to compete in sporting events. Not only the building itself was invented, but also the competition. The highest and most daring constructions are up to nine stories high. You can find Castells on almost every folk festival.
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