Main 22 Festivals in Barcelona to Attend

Three Kings’ Day, or Día de Los Reyes Magos, is celebrated on the 5th and 6th of January and marks the end of the Christmas festivities. The highlight of the celebration is the grand parade known as La Cavalcada dels Reis Mags. During this event, the three kings—Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar—travel through the streets on beautifully decorated floats and throw sweets to the children. This magical parade starts at Port Vell and ends at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.

La Merce Festival dates for 2025 have not yet been announced. In 2024, it was scheduled for Fr, Sep 20 to Tue, Sep 24.

This is Barcelona's largest annual festival, held in honor of Our Lady of Mercy, the city's patron saint.

This festival is full of a variety of events including music concerts, parades, fireworks, and traditional Catalan activities.

Each Barcelona street has its festival and January is Sant Antoni's month. This celebration honors Saint Anthony the Abbot, the patron saint of animals. The festival includes the heartwarming blessing of the animals, where locals bring their pets to be blessed.

The festival's highlight is Tres Tombs Parade, with horses, carriages, and traditional costumes. Other ones are fiery Correfoc (fire run) and Foguerons (bonfires) that light up the winter nights. Visitors can also enjoy craft beer fairs, artisan markets, traditional dances, and the iconic human towers.

Calçotada is a traditional Catalan barbecue held in February and March. It celebrates the harvest of calçots, a type of green onion. So, the date depends on the harvest that year. This culinary event holds great cultural significance in Catalonia, where friends and families gather to enjoy grilled calçots dipped in romesco sauce, along with other grilled meats. The festivities are often accompanied by local wines, particularly drunk from a porró. Calçotada is more than just a meal; it's a lively social event that perfectly incapsulates Catalan traditions and hospitality.

Festes de Santa Eulàlia is a vibrant winter festival held in February. This festival honors Barcelona's co-patron saint, Santa Eulàlia. According to legend, Santa Eulàlia was a young girl who bravely defended her Christian faith during Roman persecution.

The festivities include parades, concerts, and traditional events that celebrate the city's cultural heritage. Specific events like the "cercavila" (parade with giants and beasts) and the "Laia" children's procession are particularly captivating.

This festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience local Catalan culture and traditions in a lively and communal atmosphere.

The Llum BCN Festival is one of Europe’s top light festivals and a favorite event for Barcelona locals. It's organized by the Barcelona City Council and it transforms the Poblenou neighborhood and the area around Plaça de les Glòries into an open-air gallery.

Using light, artists from around the world reimagine public spaces with stunning installations, projections, and designs.

Carnival in Barcelona, known as Carnestoltes in Catalan, is celebrated in February or March. In 2025, the festival is scheduled from Thursday, February 27th, to Wednesday, March 5th.

This festival includes parades, concerts, parties, and street celebrations.

This is how the Carnival goes:

Arrival of the Carnival King
Marks the beginning of the festivities.

Rúa Parade
A massive parade featuring colorful costumes and floats.

Festes de Sant Medir is celebrated in March. In 2025, it is confirmed to be held on March 3rd. It is a cherished festival in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona. Saint Medir, the patron saint of farmers and veterinarians, is honored during this event.

The highlight is a parade where participants on horseback and colorful floats throw candy into the crowd. Riders often dress in traditional costumes, and specific horse breeds are showcased.

Beyond the parade, the festival includes street performances and local markets, which further add to the community’s involvement and the traditional charm of the celebration.

Barcelona might not be Irish, but the city knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style! On March 17th, you’ll find the best festivities happening at Irish pubs scattered across the city, where locals, tourists, and expats come together for music, drinks, and plenty of craic.

Top spots include The Old Irish Pub, with live music, DJs, and drink deals, and Flaherty’s Irish Pub, known for its green drinks and fun atmosphere near Las Ramblas. For an all-out party, head to The George Payne, a Barcelona institution with 4 days of celebrations. Or, visit Belushi’s Bar, perfect for a young, international crowd.

The Barcelona Beer Festival (BBF) is southern Europe’s largest craft beer event, bringing together beer lovers and breweries from around the world. It's celebrated over three days. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of craft beer on tap, delicious food pairings, live music, DJ sessions, and fun cultural activities.

The festival is held at Fira Barcelona – Montjuïc. Tickets start at 6€ online and include a festival glass. Payments are made using cashless wristbands, which can be recharged online or at the event.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a deeply significant religious celebration in Barcelona, celebrated from April 13 to April 19, 2025. The week is marked by solemn and elaborate processions and passion plays that depict the events leading up to Easter Sunday.

The processions often involve elaborate floats depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, with religious figures carrying statues and penitents in traditional clothing. These processions are organized by different religious brotherhoods ("cofradías") in Barcelona, each with their own traditions and costumes.

Día de Sant Jordi is a beautiful celebration of books and roses held on April 23rd. This unique festival combines the cultural significance of International Book Day with the romantic spirit of Valentine’s Day.

The tradition's origin lies in the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon and saving the princess, with the rose symbolizing the princess' rescued life. Historically, men gave roses to women, but today, the gift exchange is more reciprocal, with people of all genders giving books and roses to show appreciation.

The April Fair in Barcelona brings the joy and traditions of Andalusian culture to the city. It fills Barcelona with music, dancing, and delicious food. It's held at the Parc del Fòrum and the fair includes sevillanas and flamenco performances, plenty of Andalusian dishes like fried fish, salmorejo, and rebujito, and colorful booths where people gather to dance, eat, and celebrate together.

You can check out craft stalls selling flamenco dresses, ceramics, and other handmade items, enjoy live music, and take part in fun activities for all ages.

The Primavera Sound Festival is held from Thu, Jun 5 to Sat, Jun 7, 2025. This popular alternative rock and dance festival hosts line-ups with both big names and indie acts. The event takes place at the Parc del Fòrum and is known for its diverse musical genres. It attracts music lovers from around the world every year.

The festival is committed to including emerging artists alongside established ones and focuses on sustainability efforts.

Primavera Sound also features conferences, talks, and workshops alongside the music performances. This makes the overall festival experience more enriching and enjoyable.

In 2025, The Sónar Festival will be held on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of June. This is a premier event in Barcelona that includes music, art, and technology.

The festival features a mix of international DJs, live acts, and multimedia art exhibitions.

It is divided into Sónar by Day, with performances at the Fira Montjuïc, and Sónar by Night, which hosts events at various clubs and venues across the city.

Sant Joan is held on the June 23rd and 24th of every year. It's a lively midsummer celebration, loved by both locals and tourists.

The festivities include spectacular fireworks displays and beach parties.

Traditional bonfires are lit across the city, and locals enjoy all-night festivities with music, dancing, and drinks.

Festival Grec de Barcelona is a premier performing arts festival held from June to August. It caters to a wide audience interested in theatre, dance, and music. The festival features a diverse range of performances, from contemporary to traditional. So, there’s something for everyone.

Held in landmark locations throughout the city, the festival's centerpiece is the historic Teatre Grec amphitheater on Montjuïc Hill. Built in 1929 and inspired by ancient Greek theaters, this venue provides the perfect setting for many of the festival’s performances.

The Festival Cruïlla is one of Barcelona’s top summer music festivals. It takes place in the Parc del Fòrum, an open-air venue by the sea. It's celebrating the 15th anniversary in 2025 and promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, art, comedy, and more. Over four days, international artists, DJs, and bands perform across multiple stages.

From past headliners like Pet Shop Boys, Avril Lavigne, and Oscar D’León, to comedy shows, silent discos, and sustainability initiatives, Cruïlla is more than just a music festival - it’s the perfect summer escape. Enjoy art installations, or savour great food and drinks - this festival guarantees freedom, fun, and a lively atmosphere.

Festa Major de Gràcia is a beloved neighborhood festival held from the 15th until the 21st of August every year. The streets of Gràcia are transformed with colorful decorations and cultural events.

Residents spend months planning and creating elaborate decorations, with each street vying for the best-decorated title. The festival includes outdoor concerts, art installations, and activities for all ages.

The streets choose their decorating themes and it becomes a fierce competition to win! This festival is free to attend, so don't miss out!

La Merce Festival dates for 2025 have not yet been announced. In 2024, it was scheduled for Fr, Sep 20 to Tue, Sep 24.

This is Barcelona's largest annual festival, held in honor of Our Lady of Mercy, the city's patron saint.

This festival is full of a variety of events including music concerts, parades, fireworks, and traditional Catalan activities.

The 36th Oktoberfest Calella is back and will bring the fun of Germany’s famous beer festival to the sunny Costa de Barcelona. For 10 days, you can enjoy great beer, tasty food, and live music from bands around the world. There’s also a band competition on October 12 and 13, where groups can win cash prizes of up to €2,500.

It's held in the seaside town of Calella and is all about good vibes, lively music, and traditional Bavarian celebrations. Grab a beer, enjoy some delicious bites, and soak up the festive atmosphere!

La Castanyada, All Saints’ Day, and the Day of the Dead are deeply rooted traditions in Barcelona and Spain, celebrated on November 1 and 2 to honor and remember the deceased. These autumn festivities are marked by warm, family-centered gatherings and customs that vary by region.

In Catalonia, La Castanyada is especially popular. It involves eating roasted chestnuts, panellets (traditional marzipan sweets), and sweet potatoes, often paired with moscatell, a sweet wine. During this time, cemeteries are visited, and offerings are made to loved ones who have passed. The days are filled with reflection, tradition, and enjoying seasonal foods.

New Year in Barcelona is a spectacular celebration, with the heart of the festivities taking place at Plaça de Catalunya. As the clock strikes midnight, fireworks light up the sky and create a beautiful display that can be seen across the city.

A unique Spanish tradition involves eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime, to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead. Some also wear red underwear for love or carry an empty suitcase to symbolize a year full of travel.