Festivals & Events

• New Year's Day: 1 January (national holiday)
• Three Kings' Procession: 5 January
  In Port Vell (the old harbor), the "Magos" arrive by ship and parade through the city in a long procession. They are cheered on by crowds of people of all ages, throwing candy to the children. On the morning of January 6, children wake up to gifts brought by the Three Kings.
• Epiphany (Three Kings' Day): 6 January (national holiday)
  The day of the Three Kings is the finale and highlight of the Christmas season in Barcelona. It is the day of the big gift-giving and is more important than Christmas. Most tourist attractions remain open, but larger stores are usually closed.

• Barcelona Half Marathon: February 16, 2025
  A well-known running event held in mid-February. The Barcelona Half Marathon always takes place around 4 weeks before the Barcelona Marathon.
• Carnival: February 27 - March 5, 2025
  From Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday, the reign of Carnestoltes takes over in Barcelona. This rotund prince leads the city's celebrations, featuring masquerade balls, huge parties, and parades with the most creative costumes. The vibrant parades and celebrations in Sitges, just 30 minutes from Barcelona, are particularly worth a visit.
  

  Carnival in Barcelona

  • More information:
    Carnival in Barcelona
  
  The numerous festivities kick off with the arrival of King Carnestoltes. The highlight is the "Gran Rua," the grand parade where hundreds of people in costumes participate, and thousands of spectators watch. Each neighborhood celebrates Carnival in its own unique way.
  
  However, Carnival doesn't hold the same importance as in other countries like Germany. The grand parade may even be canceled if the city needs to cut costs, so those who aren't fans of Carnival can still comfortably visit Barcelona during this time.

• Fasching, Karneval: 27 February - 5 March 2025
• Festes de Sant Medir de Gràcia
  The Sant Medir festival takes place in the first week of March: a long procession of pack animals and riders on the finest horses gathers at the "Plaça Rius i Taulet" in the Gràcia district. The colorful flags of the associations organizing the festival flutter in the wind. Then, they ride for a picnic along the Arrabassada to the chapel of Saint Medir – the patron saint of the broad bean. In the afternoon, the procession returns, and the riders throw candy and sweets to the crowd along the Gran de Gràcia.
• Barcelona Marathon: 16 March 2025
  The marathon has been held annually in March since 1978. For more information and a link to registration, visit our Barcelona Marathon page.

• Sant Jordi: 23 April (not a public holiday, but important)
  Sant Jordi (Saint George) is considered by many to be the most beautiful festival in Barcelona. The day of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, is also known as "Book Day," as it commemorates the death of Spain's most important poet, Cervantes, in 1616, and the birth of Shakespeare, both on April 23.
  
  

  Sant Jordi - Saint George

  • More info:
    Sant Jordi, Patron Saint of Catalonia
  Tradition dictates that men give women a rose, and women give men a book. People of all ages stroll through the streets, holding either a rose or a book. It's a beautiful sight to see millions of red roses. The Palau de la Generalitat (Government Palace) is also a popular destination on this day, where an annual rose exhibition is held.
• Easter Week / Semana Santa: 18 April (Good Friday), 20 April (Easter Sunday), 21 April 2025 (Easter Monday) (Spanish and Catalan holidays)
  
  

  Easter in Barcelona

  • More info:
    Semana Santa and Easter
  The first important day of Easter Week is Palm Sunday. On this day, godparents (Padrinos) give their godchildren decorated or woven palm leaves. This gift is followed by the "Mona," chocolate creations that now often feature popular characters like Harry Potter.
  During the Easter procession, which passes through the old town of Barcelona, hundreds of people carry statues of Jesus and Mary to the cathedral, accompanied by the sound of drums and trumpets.
  Semana Santa begins on the Monday of Holy Week.

• Labour Day: 1 May (national holiday in Spain)
• Sant Ponç: 11 May
  On 11th May, you can find many stalls on Carrer Hospital selling honey, herbs, spices, fruits, herbal wines, and other natural products. This is part of the celebrations for Saint Ponç, the patron saint of beekeepers and herbalists.
• Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix: 25 May 2025
  

  Information about Formula 1

  • More info about Formula 1
  The "Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya" is located about 20 kilometres north of Barcelona, near the small town of Montmeló. The challenging track, with a mix of fast and slow corners, offers spectators an exciting race.
• The Tamborinada: Late May/Early June
  A day dedicated to children at Ciutadella Park, featuring theatre, dancing giants, and music. Around this time of year, the Feria de Abril also takes place, a traditionally Andalusian festival with music, dancing, food, and plenty of wine.

Corpus Cristi - L'ou com Balla: Late May, Early June
Corpus Christi is celebrated in June with parades of giants and large-headed carnival figures. The tradition of "L'ou com balla" (which means "the dancing egg") dates back to the 16th century. In this tradition, an empty eggshell is placed on the jet of a fountain, which is decorated with many flowers. Although it may seem unbelievable, the egg actually dances, and even if it falls, it quickly climbs back to the top of the jet. You can see this phenomenon at fountains throughout the city.

Whit Monday: 9th June 2025 (public holiday in Barcelona)

Sónar Festival: 12th/13th/14th June 2025
For three days and nights, you will experience the latest developments and music trends with the most famous national and international artists. Sónar features more than 300 different events, including DJ sets, concerts, cinema at SónarCine, and multimedia art installations such as net art, design, and more.

Sant Joan: 23rd/24th June (Catalan public holiday)
The summer solstice is celebrated in Catalonia on the night of 23rd to 24th June, the day of Saint Sant Joan, with bonfires, fireworks, and firecrackers in all streets. Both young and old celebrate the beginning of summer in squares across the city until the early hours of the morning.

• Festival Crec: July (exact date for 2025 not yet determined)
  June and July are festival months. The Grec Festival series usually starts at the end of June, reaches its peak in July, and continues into August. Grec offers a wide range of cultural events, including theater, music, dance, and open-air cinema.
  Click here for more information about the Grec Festival.
• Sala Montjuïc: Late June to Early August (exact date for 2025 not yet determined)
  Film and music festival at the Castell on Montjuïc.
  More information

• Assumption of Mary: 15 August (Spanish public holiday)
• Festa Major de Gràcia: 15 - 21 August 2025
  Coinciding with the Assumption of Mary holiday on 15 August, the Festa Major de Gràcia begins in the Gràcia neighborhood and lasts until 21 August. Residents of the various streets compete to see whose street is the most beautifully decorated. During this time, there are hundreds of outdoor events with live concerts in each street, puppet shows and chocolate treats for children, and paella for the adults. The events continue late into the night. Here is the official website of the Festa Major de Gràcia.
  Note: Book hotel rooms early, as over 2 million visitors come to the Festa Major.

• Diada, Catalan National Day: 11 September (Catalan public holiday)
  The "Diada" is the National Day of Catalonia. On this day, Catalonia commemorates its defeat against the troops of King Philip V. The 11 September 1714, marked the end of Catalan self-government and independence. Many events are held throughout Catalonia.
• La Mercè: 24 September (public holiday in Barcelona)
  

  La Mercè Festival

  • More info:
    La Mercè Festival
  On 24 September, it is the day of Saint Mercè, the patron saint of Barcelona. The city's festival is celebrated this week with many free concerts, parades of giants and oversized figures, fireworks, and Correfocs (fire runs).

• Spanish National Day (Discovery of America): October 12 (Spanish public holiday)
• All Saints' Day: 1 November (Spanish public holiday)
• Voll Damm International Jazz Festival: Late October to mid-December
  Every year, from around 20 October to early December, this prestigious jazz festival takes place. The concerts are held across Barcelona in various concert halls and jazz clubs.

• Christmas Market: The first markets open from 1 December
  One of the most beautiful Christmas markets is located around the cathedral. Here you can find a variety of Christmas nativity scenes, Christmas trees, handicrafts, and decorations. The market runs until 23 December.
• Constitution Day: 6 December (Spanish public holiday)
• Immaculate Conception: 8 December (Spanish public holiday)
• Christmas: 25/26 December (Spanish and Catalan public holidays)
  The first Christmas holiday is traditionally the day for gift-giving, while the second Christmas holiday is more commonly celebrated with a large family meal.
• Winter Swimming: 26 December
  Hundreds, mostly young people, plunge into the cold waters of the harbor basin.
• New Year's Eve: 31 December
  

  New Year's Eve and Christmas

  • More info:
    New Year's Eve and Christmas
  It is not worth climbing a mountain for a supposed fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Only at Plaça Espanya has a large fireworks display been held in recent years. It is better to spend New Year's Eve in one of the many squares. Traditionally, all parties in Barcelona, as in all of Spain, pause twelve seconds before the New Year to eat twelve grapes. This is believed to bring good luck for the next twelve months.