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Festes de la Mercè
Barcelona’s main festival is a riotous week-long celebration in honour of La Mercè (see Virgin Mercè). The night sky lights up with fireworks, outdoor concerts are held, and there’s barely a bottle of cava left in the city by the festival’s end. Processions and parades feature gegants (giant wooden figures operated by people).
Week of 23 Sep
El Dia de Sant Jordi
On this spring day, Barcelona is transformed into a vibrant, open-air book and flower market. Men and women exchange presents of roses, to celebrate Sant Jordi and books, in tribute to Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on 23 April 1616.
23 Apr
Verbena de Sant Joan
In celebration of Saint John, and the start of summer, this is Catalonian’s night to play with fire and play they do, with gusto. Fireworks streak through the night sky and bonfires are set ablaze on beaches and in towns throughout the region.
23 Jun
Festa Major de Gràcia
During this week-long festa, (the largest party of the summer), revellers congregate in Gràcia’s decorated streets. Parades, open-air concerts, fireworks and plenty of beer and cava fuel the infectious merriment.
Mid- to late Aug
Carnaval in Sitges
The buzzing beach town of Sitges explodes during Carnaval, celebrated in flamboyant fashion. Over-the-top floats parade among drag queens, lip-synching contests and a fresh-off-the-beach crowd warmed by sun and plenty of beer.
3–4 days Feb–mid-Mar
Festa de la Patum
The village of Berga (
90 km/ 60 miles north of Barcelona) hosts one of Catalonia’s liveliest festivals. The event gets its name from the folks who used to chant patum (the sound of a drum). Streets spill over with merrymakers as fireworks crackle and dwarfs, devils and dragons dance atop parade floats.
Corpus Christi (May)
Festa del Aquelarre
The small town of Cervera (
100 km/62 miles west of Barcelona) erupts with parties, parades and concerts for this festival. The epicentre is C/de les Bruixes, a medieval alley that cuts through the old town.
Last weekend Aug
Castells
Castells is one of Catalonia’s most spectacular folk traditions. Trained castellers stand on each other’s shoulders to create a human castle – the highest tower takes the prize. The crowning moment is when a child scales the human mass to make the sign of the cross. Castells are often performed in Plaça Sant Jaume.
Jun
Sardanes
“The magnificent, moving ring” is how Catalan poet Joan Maragall described the sardana, Catalonia’s regional dance. Subdued yet intricate, it is performed to the tunes of the cobla, a traditional brass and woodwind band. Sardanes can be seen in Plaça de la Seu and Plaça Sant Jaume year round (see Cathedral Guide).
Catalan Christmas & Cavalcada del Reis
The Nadal (Christmas) season begins on 1 December with the arrival of the festive artisan fairs. On 5 January is the Cavalcada dels Reis, the spectacular Three Kings Parade. In Barcelona, the kings arrive by sea and are welcomed by city officials in front of transfixed children.
Festival del Grec
Barcelona’s largest music, theatre and dance festival.
Late Jun–Jul
93 316 11 11 or 902 10 12 12
Festival del Sónar
This electronic music and multimedia festival has technology fairs and musical events.
Mid-Jun
Festival Internacional de Jazz
Big-name and experimental live jazz.
Oct–Dec
93 481 70 40
Sitges International Film Festival
The foremost fantasy film festival in the world.
Early Oct
Festival de Música Antiga
Concerts of early music in the Barri Gòtic and at L’Auditori.
Apr & May
93 247 93 00
Clàssica als Parcs
Classical music concerts are held in the city’s parks.
Jul
010
Festival de Músiques del Món
Ethnic and world music acts at L’Auditori.
Oct
93 247 93 00
Festival de Flamenco
A week of outstanding flamenco music at the CCCB in the Raval.
Late May
93 443 43 46
Festival de Música
The Spanish village of Llívia, just over the French border, presents choral groups and orchestras from around the world.
Llívia
Aug & Dec
972 89 60 11