Spain is teeming with cultural and religious events, and Barcelona is no exception – its cultural and religious events in Barcelona showcase vibrant parades, traditional dancing, delectable cuisine, and a rich historical tapestry. Plus, many of them are free to all, and they are a great way to experience the less touristy, more authentic part of the city.
Barcelona hosts numerous festivals and events year-round, and we’ve highlighted a select few while linking to our other blogs for further reading on similar celebrations.
Cultural and religious events in Barcelona
Religious events in Barcelona
Semana Santa
Easter comes early this year, so make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss it! From Semana Santa to Good Friday to Easter Sunday, and all of the unique and beautiful celebrations they bring, the season of Easter is a great excuse to attend a religious festival in Barcelona that you’ll truly never forget.
- Date: 13th - 21st April
Whit Monday
Whit Monday is not only a holiday, but a deeply-rooted religious festival in Barcelona, held on 9th June. With many names (Cinquagesma, Pentecostès, Pasqua de Pentecosta, Segona Pasqua, Pasqua Granada, etc.) and many different forms of celebration in Catalunya, Whit Monday honours the Holy Ghost’s apparition before the disciples on the 50th day following Christ’s Resurrection.
The festival begins on Saturday morning with a musical parade or a ‘cercavila,’ and lasts until Monday night. Throughout Whit Weekend, retired choir groups sing through the streets in decorative clothing, jewelry, sunglasses, and hats. Reflecting the cultural origins of sea trade in Barceloneta, the groups also carry wooden objects like oars, tridents, and harpoons.
- Date: 9th June
Corpus Christi
With the beginning of June in Barcelona comes one of the most historical, special Catalan events. Corpus Christi is a religious festival in Barcelona with an emphasis on Catalan culture. Each year, taking place at some of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona, there are concerts, dances, talks, parades, flower explosions, and many more celebratory events. The three main elements of Corpus Christie celebrations are the procession, the dancing egg, and the ephemeral carpets.
- Date: 19th - 22nd June
All Saint's Day
The first day of November, All Saint’s Day (also known as Dia de Todos Los Santos) is dedicated to honouring the dead, and is seen as a religious festival in Barcelona. In Spain, people put flowers on the graves of the loved ones that have passed and attend a church service in their honour. Since this is a national public holiday, most shops will be closed, but many tourist attractions stay open. In true Catalonian fashion, you can enjoy a “Castanyada” on this day- the Catalan tradition of eating chestnuts.
- Date: 1st November
Christmas in Barcelona
Christmas is one of the biggest holidays to celebrate for many people, and is certainly an exciting religious festival in Barcelona. Christmas in Barcelona is an incredible experience with exciting festivities and beautiful decorations and lights throughout the whole city center! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the festivities and sights around the city are nonetheless still worth checking out in our Christmas in Barcelona blog below.
Cultural events in Barcelona
3 Kings' Parade in Barcelona
The Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany, or ‘Dia de los tres Reyes’ in Spanish, and Dia de Reis in Catalan, is one of the most celebrated and important holidays in Spain. Historically, Three Kings Day represents the day the Three Wise Men gave their gifts to the baby Jesus. Thus, this day is a part of the Catholic calendar and marks the conclusion of the Christmas season (the 12th day of Christmas).
However, the excitement starts the day before on the 5th of January, when the Three Wise Men arrive and each city has their own ‘Cavalcada’ parade. The parade involves giant animals, floats, music, dancing, candy, and more. It is held on the same day every year, and is full of fun festivities.
- Date: 5th January
Festa Major de Sant Antoni
The Festa Major de Sant Antoni is a week-long festival that features a colourful Giants Parade, a thrilling night-time fire run (Correfoc), traditional music, dances, community meals, and a market with local crafts, all celebrating Catalan culture and traditions.
- Date: 17th - 26th January
Carnival of Barcelona
This religious festival in Barcelona brings us one of the biggest fiesta’s of the year! Along with some Catalan traditions such as the Arrival of the Carnival Kings, Taronjada, and the burial of the sardine, the Carnival it brings us a colourful week filled with concerts, workshops, and more fun activities.
- Date: 27th February - 5th March
Santa Eulàlia
This festival is in honour of the co-patron of Barcelona, Sant Euàlia. The festival includes the age-old Catalan traditions such as a Correfoc, Castellers, and a Giants parade starring Làlia the giantess. This festival is one of the most kid-friendly festivals Barcelona has to offer. Including events like storytelling, puppet shows, and family workshops, this festival is perfect for the whole family! Music and concerts play a huge role in this festival and the kids are not left behind, music schools, school choirs, and children’s orchestras are preforming all throughout this festival.
- Date: Always around 12th February
Feria De Abril
Another cultural festival in Barcelona is Feria de Abril, an event that marks the beginning of the spring season with celebration and excitement. It blends Catalan and Andalusian traditions, with the fair’s origins dating back to its first edition in Spain in 1847. In 1971, migrants in Castelldefels introduced their own version, which began with four stands and grew into a celebration featuring horse dressage, bullfights, music and dance performances, and human towers. Although its roots lie in Seville, the festival is deeply infused with Catalan culture.
- Date: April TBC
Sant Jordi
Sant Jordi, the “Valentine’s Day of Barcelona”, celebrates love, books, roses, and the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. The streets are filled with roses and book stalls, and the people come together in processions and activities to make Barcelona an even more lively and joyful city. Read more about this cultural festival in Barcelona in our blog below.
- Date: 23rd April
Sant Joan
One special weekend to spend in June in Barcelona is the Festival of Sant Joan. As a celebration of the start of summer, the festivities begin the evening prior to the bank holiday. Bonfires and fireworks light up the streets from the shortest night of the year, 23rd June 23rd, to the longest day of the year, 24th June to celebrate the summer solstice.
- Date: 23rd June
Festa Major de Gràcia
Gràcia’s festa major is regarded as the ultimate representation of the neighbourhood’s identity, and one of the biggest street and neighbourhood festivals in Barcelona. The Fundació Festa Major de Gràcia brings together all of the associations throughout the neighbourhood that decorate the streets and squares, and is the best place to find any specific details about the festival. Each area has its own theme and decorations, and the residents are not afraid to go all out.
- Date: Week of 15th August
La Mercè
This is known to be the ultimate cultural festival in Barcelona. It is a macro-festival that includes separate festivals. The purpose of the festival is to honour the patron saint of Barcelona, Mare de Deu de la Mercè, also known as Mother of God of Mercy. Now, the intent of these festivals is to showcase the cultural wealth of Barcelona. Creatives from all around Barcelona come together to showcase all the different art forms, old and new. There are over 500 activities and events within the La Mercè festival.
- Date: September TBC
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