What to do in March in Barcelona
March is the eagerly awaited month that marks the official start of spring. While it may still be a bit early for a dip in the sea, there are plenty of other exciting activities to enjoy. As high season kicks off in Barcelona, March offers a final opportunity to explore the city’s sights without having to navigate large crowds.
What to do in March in Barcelona?
March in Barcelona: Festas
Sant Medir
Festa de Sant Medir is one of Gràcia’s most cherished celebrations, known as the “sweetest festival” for its parade where thousands of candies are tossed from horses, floats, and wagons. It began in 1828 when local baker Josep Vidal i Granés promised to make a pilgrimage to the hermitage of Sant Medir if he recovered from illness. After his recovery, he fulfilled his vow, distributing beans to the crowd (later replaced by sweets), creating the lively tradition we see today.
- 3rd March
- Gràcia neighbourhood
- More info
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 symbolises 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!
- 17th March
- City centre
- More info
Festa Major del Pi (Festa de Sant Josep Oriol)
The Festa Major del Pi or the Festa de Sant Josep Oriol, is celebrated annually around 23rd March in the streets surrounding the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi in Barcelona.
The event honours Saint Josep Oriol, known for his humility and generosity, with parades featuring historical giants, reenactments of the Perot lo Lladre legend, and various cultural activities. Highlights include the giants’ parade, the miracle of the coins, and chocolate giveaways. Originating in 1995, it’s a vibrant festival blending tradition and history.
- 23rd March
- Streets surrounding the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi
- More info
March in Barcelona: Events
GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival 2025 (#GSTF25)
The GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival 2025 will take place at The Social Hub in Barcelona’s innovation district. This event aims to empower entrepreneurs by focusing on AI-driven sales strategies and offers a platform for networking, workshops, and insights from industry leaders.
Organised by Club GLOBALS, #GSTF25 serves as a prelude to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and 4 Years From Now (4YFN) events, attracting tech leaders, investors, and sales experts globally. The festival emphasises the integration of artificial intelligence and smart technologies with customer-centric approaches, providing attendees with innovative tools and strategies to enhance their sales processes.
- 2nd March
- The Social Hub
- More info
Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona
Mobile World Congress (MWC) is the world’s largest and most influential event for the mobile industry, where leading electronics giants and telecom firms showcase their latest innovations. Held annually in February or March, MWC has a profound impact on its host city, Barcelona.
Each year, the event attracts over 100,000 visitors and 2,000+ companies from around the globe, contributing approximately 500 million euros to the local economy and creating 14,000 temporary jobs (based on pre-pandemic 2019 figures).
The energy in Barcelona during MWC is undeniable – you’ll feel it in the bustling streets, packed hotels, and fully booked restaurants. For a few days, the entire city is abuzz with cutting-edge technology, networking opportunities, and industry-defining announcements. MWC isn’t just a conference; it’s an experience.
- 3rd - 6th March
- Fira Gran Via
- From €899
- More info
8M Barcelona 2024
As the city of Barcelona prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March 8th, the streets start 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.
- 8th March
- More info
Brain Film Fest
The Brain Film Fest is an international film festival in Barcelona dedicated to exploring brain-related topics through film. Held annually since 2018 at the Centre for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) as part of Brain Awareness Week, it promotes understanding of brain research and accessibility.
This year’s edition features the XV Solé Tura Award, spotlighting films on brain-related topics, along with roundtables, workshops, and masterclasses. Highlights include a case study on emotional management for actors, discussions on artificial intelligence and mental health, and a special presentation by Carme Elias on her personal experience with Alzheimer’s. Maite Alberdi will also be honoured with a Special Award for her career.
- 12th-16th March
- Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
- More info
Marathon of Barcelona - Zurich Marató de Barcelona
The yearly marathon, also known as ‘Zurich Marató de Barcelona’ has been taking place since 1978. It is an incredibly popular marathon, with thousands of participants. The marathon starts at 8:30am at Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina.
If you’re a fan of running, this is an incredible marathon to participate in, seeing as the route takes you past all of Barcelona’s highlights. Even if you’re not running in the race, it’s still a great time to head into the city, with food stalls, live music, and a variety of activities.
- 16th March
- City Centre
- More info
Black Music Festival
The Black Music Festival in Barcelona celebrates the music created by people of colour. From blues and rap to reggae and dancehall, the festival offers a diverse range of music for everyone.
- 13th February - 24th March
- City Centre
- More info
Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival
Another music festival that marks the start of spring is the Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival. 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!
- 23rd March - 11th April
- City Centre
- More info
Barcelona Eurovision Party
Each year, Barcelona kicks off Eurovision season with its own Eurovision pre-party, part of a European tour where contestants promote their entries and fine-tune live performances. Eurovision is a major highlight for many locals, making this pre-party an exciting event not to miss!
- 27th-29th March
- City Centre
- More info
Dansa Metropolitana
Dansa Metropolitana is an annual dance festival that enlivens twelve cities in the Barcelona metropolitan area each March.
The festival showcases a diverse array of performances, from contemporary and urban dance to traditional forms, featuring both local and international artists. In 2024, the festival emphasised urban dance through the “Artèries” project, celebrating its recognition as an Olympic sport. The programme included 109 shows, 28 films, 30 parallel activities, and 46 educational projects across 107 venues.
The 2025 edition promises to continue this rich tradition, offering a wide range of performances and activities that highlight different cultures, styles, and techniques.
- 13th-22nd March
- City Centre
- More info
Flavours of March
Calçotada
If you live in Barcelona, you’ve probably noticed the arrival of calçots in local markets and grocery stores. Calçotadas are traditional Catalan barbecues that take place from January to April, the focal point being, of course, the fresh calçot course.
Grilled over an open flame, these sweet onions are peeled and dipped in rich romesco sauce, making for a delicious (and messy) experience. While you can find calçotades in Barcelona city centre, the best way to enjoy one is in the countryside (Valls, Sitges, or Castelldefels) where the tradition truly comes to life.
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