March is the month that many have been waiting for; the official start of spring. Whilst it might not be the time yet for dipping your toes in the sea, there are definitely a lot of other fun things to enjoy this month. As the high season begins to pick up in March in Barcelona, this is your last chance to go sightseeing without tackling big crowds of people.
March in Barcelona; activities and events
Bank holidays
8M Barcelona 2024
As the vibrant city of Barcelona prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, the streets begin to come alive with purple flags and quotes of solidarity in the windows of apartments and local businesses. Women of all ages, nationalities, and life experiences come together to continue the long-running demand for equality and justice.
This annual commemoration is valued especially in Barcelona, a city with a rich history of feminist activism and consistency to fighting for women’s rights.
Semana Santa
Semana Santa is the holy week, it takes place from the 24th of March in Barcelona until the 31st, finishing on Easter Sunday. Easter and Semana Santa in Barcelona offers a plethora of exciting and memorable festivities, rich with history and Catalonian culture. Read more about all that the city has to offer this Easter season in our Easter in Barcelona blog!
Festivities
Sant Medir
The first festivity that takes place in March in Barcelona is ‘Festa di Sant Medir’. It is one of the most well-known festivities in Gràcia’s old town. The parade is well renowned for the tons of candies thrown from horses, floats and wagons into the crowd. The festivity consists of a pilgrimage from Gràcia and Sant Gervasi de Cassoles to the hermitage of Sant Medir in the Collserola Mountains.
This festivity all began with baker Josep Vidal i Granés, who made the promise in 1828 that he would go on a pilgrimage to the Ermita de Sant Medir if he would be able to heal from his illness. He was then joined by friends, family and others. It is said that when he came back from the pilgrimage, he distributed beans to the crowd of people that were awaiting him. Legend says that these beans were sowed by a saint. As time went on, these beans were replaced with sweets. This festivity is one that has been around for a very long and is definitely worth attending for those who want to dive deeper into the culture of Gràcia.
Saint Patrick’s day
Another festivity that takes place in March in Barcelona is Saint Patrick’s day. Even though this is a celebration of Irish origin, it is widely celebrated all across the world, also in Spain. Every year on the 17th of March the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most famous patron saint, is commemorated. All around Barcelona, there will be people dressed in green, the colour that symbolizes rebellion according to the Irish. So get that green shirt out and join the Irish for a beer in one of the many Irish pubs around the city. This goes to show that Barcelona is not just the perfect place to get to know Catalan culture, but also the culture of many other countries!
Festes de Sant Josep Oriol
Every March in Barcelona, the ‘Festes de Sant Josep Oriol’ takes place in the streets and plazas of ‘Barri Gòtic’. It is a cultural festivity for people of all ages. The acts that are carried out by the ‘Gegants del Pi’, also known as ‘the giants’, are from centuries ago. Attending this festivity gives you the chance to immerse yourself more in the Catalan culture and its long history full of tales and traditions.
‘Sant Josep Oriol’ is commemorated for this devotion to the sick and underprivileged. One of the activities that you shouldn’t miss is the night parade of the Giants. It is something very astounding to see these very tall figures move through the small streets of ‘Barri Gòtic’. The days of celebration are concluded by a final dance, performed by the giants.
Events
Marathon of Barcelona - Zurich Marató de Barcelona
The yearly marathon, also known as ‘Zurich Marató de Barcelona’ has been taking place ever since 1978. It is an incredibly popular marathon, with thousands of participants. The marathon starts at 8.30 at Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina. If you’re a fan of running, this is an incredible marathon to participate in, seeing as the participants run past all of Barcelona’s highlights. Whether you are interested in running or not, it is a fun moment to head into the city, with food stands, live music and a diverse range of activities taking place.
Brain Film Fest
The Brain Film Fest, held from March 13th to the 17th, is an international film festival in Barcelona focused around the study, understanding, and accessibility of the brain. It has been held annually since 2018 at the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) as part of Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to increase knowledge about the brain as well as the progress and benefits of research. All of the movies have to do with a brain-related topic, and are very high-quality as well.
The movie showings are free of charge, and if you’re interested in learning more about the film-making process, the festival offers masterclasses as well for very cheap, just make sure to book your tickets in advance for anything you want to attend!
Handmade Festival in Barcelona
Anyone looking to unlock their creativity- this is for you! The Handmade Festival in Barcelona, held in Pavelló 8 Fira on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of March, offers visitors an immersive look into Japanese artisan life. A mix between a festival and a DIY workshop, Handmade invites people to discover the culture, food, and art of Japan through a hands-on approach.
The festival consists of workshops, activities, and classes led by professionals in their respective crafts, in anything from scrapbooking to sewing and more. There will also be food trucks, shopping, music, and many more ways to relax and have a good time, even if you’re not interested in the crafts.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the 22nd and 23rd, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the 24th, and tickets start at 8 euros a day per adult, if you buy them online ahead of time. Kids are also welcome and encouraged, and only 6 euros a ticket. You can buy the tickets here or at the door.
Black Music Festival in barcelona
What better way to start the springtime than with a music festival in Barcelona? At the Black Music Festival, you will find an array of different artists and music genres. The name of the festival emphasizes its social importance. This festival is a tribute to the music created by people of colour; something that is often overlooked often and discredited. This is quite astounding, seeing as the majority of the current popular music styles are based on the music created by people of colour in the past.
This festival has something for everyone. The music styles range from blues to rap, reggae, dancehall and more. The festival brings together not only a lot of different music styles but also different people. Its international aspect in combination with the local touch creates the perfect atmosphere for expats.
Barcelona obertura spring Festival
Another music festival that marks the start of spring is the Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival. This festival in Barcelona starts March 5th and continues until the 24th. With over 500 musicians and over 40 concerts taking place all around the city, it is an incredibly diverse music festival, so make sure to check out all the different artists on the festival’s website to see which one you can’t miss out on!
Dansa Metropolitana
Dansa Metropolitana is also returning this year, with a whole range of art performances ranging from theatre, dance and cinema. This cultural event is organized by ten different cities including Barcelona. It is the perfect opportunity to not only explore activities in the city centre but also visit some of the surrounding cities. It is guaranteed to be an enriching and inspiring experience. There are over 190 activities that you can attend, such as workshops, dance performances, cinema and conferences. You have all of March in Barcelona to explore the festival and see what inspires you the most!
Barcelona beer fest
The Barcelona Beer Fest is another event not to miss. A three day festival in Barcelona from March 22nd to the 24th at Fira de Barcelona-Montjuic, the Beer Fest offers a fun and immersive beer experience for anyone looking to learn more about beer or just have a good time. For only 5 euros per day, enjoy live music, beer-related activities, and access to hundreds of varieties of beer from all over the world. Get your tickets now!
Calçotada
Planning on visiting Barcelona or Catalonia (Catalunya) in the winter or early spring? Make sure you don’t miss calçots or a Calçotada! A unique and festive barbecue centered around calçots, Calçotadas offer several fascinating features that will ensure it’s an experience you won’t forget. And calçots, an equally unique type of long, green onion, typically charred and eaten by hand, are rich with flavor and definitely worth your time to try.
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