Barcelona is a city that knows how to celebrate, with festivals and events taking place throughout the year. Whether you’re into music, food, or cultural traditions, Barcelona has something for everyone. Find a festival that suits your taste and plan your visit around it.
1. Festes de la Mercè
Festes de la Mercè is scheduled for Friday, September 20, 2024, to Tuesday, September 24, 2024. 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.
Human Towers (Castellers)
Teams perform impressive feats of balance and strength by building tall human towers.
Fire Run (Correfoc)
A thrilling experience where participants dressed as devils run through the streets with fireworks.
Most events during Mercè are free to attend, so it's accessible to everyone.
2. Sant Joan
Sant Joan is normally held on the 23rd and 24th of June. It's a lively midsummer celebration. The festivities include spectacular fireworks displays and vibrant beach parties. Traditional bonfires are lit across the city, and locals enjoy all-night festivities with music, dancing, and drinks.
Fire plays a crucial role in the celebrations, with people jumping over bonfires for good luck and to ward off evil spirits. A popular treat during Sant Joan is the coca, a sweet flatbread topped with candied fruit and pine nuts.
Many people also enjoy barbecues or picnics with friends and family, so it is a communal and joyous event.
3. Sónar Festival
The Sónar Festival is held in mid-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 and showcases at the Fira Montjuïc, and Sónar by Night, which hosts events at various clubs and venues across the city.
Sónar attracts over 100,000 attendees each year - it is a landmark festival for electronic music and digital arts.
4. Primavera Sound Festival
The Primavera Sound Festival is held in late May to early June. This popular alternative rock and dance festival features extensive line-ups with big names and indie acts. The event takes place at the Parc del Fòrum and is known for its diverse musical genres. This festival attracts music lovers from around the world.
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.
5. Carnival in Barcelona
Carnival in Barcelona, known as Carnestoltes in Catalan, is celebrated in February or March. This vibrant 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.
Burial of the Sardine
A mock funeral parade on Ash Wednesday that symbolizes the end of Carnival.
There are many unique traditions like the "Batalla de la Naranja" (Orange Battle) where people throw oranges at each other. Barcelona's Carnival is known for being family-friendly, with many activities geared towards children.
6. Festa Major de Gràcia
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 features outdoor concerts, art installations, and activities for all ages.
Traditional elements like "castellers" (human towers) and "correfocs" (fire runs) add to the excitement. Most events are free to enjoy, so this festival is accessible to everyone.
7. Día de Sant Jordi
Día de Sant Jordi is a vibrant 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.
On this day, the streets of Barcelona are filled with bookstalls and flower stands, that create a festive atmosphere. The festival also promotes Catalan literature and language. It features numerous book signings and presentations by local authors. Various literary events and activities brighten the day even more, so it’s a cherished celebration for both locals and visitors.
8. New Year in Barcelona
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.
While there are many lively parties, the initial celebration often leans towards family gatherings. Families share a special meal together before heading out for the festivities. In addition to Plaça de Catalunya, there are fireworks displays in other areas, and many people enjoy celebrating in bars and clubs throughout the city.
9. Three Kings’ Day (Día de Los Reyes Magos)
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.
The parade is a big deal for children in Spain, akin to Santa Claus in other cultures. Children leave their shoes out on the night of the 5th, hoping to find them filled with gifts by the three kings, who visit during the night.
On January 6th, families enjoy Roscón de Reyes, a traditional sweet bread that often contains a hidden figurine. Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king or queen for the day.
10. Semana Santa (Holy Week)
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.
This festival consists of:
La Processó de la Sang
Held on Holy Thursday and includes participants being in traditional robes and conical hats.
La Processó de la Soledat
Takes place on Good Friday, with processions through the Gothic Quarter.
While it's a religious celebration, Semana Santa is also a cultural experience for visitors who can appreciate the artistry and solemnity of the processions.
11. Festival Grec de Barcelona
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.
12. Calçotada
Calçotada is a traditional Catalan barbecue held in February and March. It celebrates the harvest of calçots, a type of green onion. 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.
The traditional way of eating calçots involves wearing a bib and using your bare hands. Calçots are grilled over open flames to achieve a slight char. These gatherings are typically held outdoors, in gardens, or at restaurants offering special calçotada menus.
13. Festes de Sant Medir
Festes de Sant Medir is celebrated in March. 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 vibrant 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.
14. Festes de Santa Eulàlia
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.
Conclusion
Barcelona has numerous festivals and events all throughout the year. If you liked one particular celebration, try to plan your visit around that. This city has something to enjoy for everyone. From the grand Festes de la Mercè to the cozy Calçotada, there's always something happening.
If you prefer to avoid crowds, plan your visit outside major festival dates. Streets get noisy and prices for accommodations might increase. But if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, attending these festivals will give you the best time of your life.
For more tips on traveling to Barcelona, browse through BarcaTrips and read our extensive guides. Enjoy exploring this lively and culturally rich city!