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.
Beyond its seasonal charm, March is one of the most dynamic months in Barcelona’s cultural calendar. The city comes alive with a variety of festivals and events, including International Women’s Day celebrations, the vibrant Festa de Sant Medir parade, and the globally significant Mobile World Congress (MWC) and its startup-focused companion event 4YFN.
Music lovers can enjoy festivals like Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival and the Brain Film Festival, while dancers and performers take to stages across the metropolitan area during Dansa Metropolitana. From sports events such as the Zurich Marató Barcelona to traditional neighbourhood festivities like the Festa Major del Pi, there’s always something happening in every corner of the city.
Whether you’re exploring cultural highlights or joining in local traditions, March in Barcelona offers a rich blend of experiences as the city welcomes spring.
What to do in March in Barcelona?
Important dates
8M Barcelona
As the city of Barcelona prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, 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
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
Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona
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 March 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.
- 2nd - 5th March
- From €899
- Fira Gran Via
- More info
4YFN
During the entirety of the Mobile World Congress, 4YFN is also taking place as an event specifically for startups, companies, investors, and entrepreneurs to connect. The theme of this year is artificial intelligence, with a large number of events planned for each day of the congress, guaranteeing opportunities to network and broaden your horizons.
- 2nd - 5th March
- From €399
- Fira Gran Via, Hall 8
- More info
From the 9th to the 16th of March, join us for daily live sessions on TikTok and Instagram! This week-long online event is dedicated to supporting international students and their families in planning and organising all steps that go hand in hand with choosing Barcelona as your destination for higher education.
If you are considering moving to Barcelona to study and want practical advice or guidance for visas, housing, universities, or student life, this week is the perfect starting point for you. We look forward to seeing you at one of our livestreams!
More Events in March
March in Barcelona: Festes Majors
Festa de Sant Medir
As spring approaches, Barcelona welcomes March with traditional street festivities. The Festa de Sant Medir, celebrated on March 3rd of each year, is known for its cheerful parades through the streets of the Gràcia neighbourhood. The groups that participate in the parades, called ‘colles’, go on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Sant Medir in the morning, only to return to the neighbourhood with musical parades. One of the main features of this vibrant event is the candy that is thrown into the crowd at this stage of the celebration, inviting audiences to collect as many sweets as they are able to carry.
- 3rd March
- Free
- Gràcia
Festa Major del Pi
The Festa Major del Pi, also known as the Festa de Sant Josep Oriol, takes place every year from the 14th to the 23rd March in the Gothic Quarter, and honours the saint Joseph Oriol. The festival is most especially known for its ‘gegants‘, the paper-machier giant figures that parade through the streets of Barcelona in a colourful procession.
Both the Festa de Sant Medir and the Festa Major del Pi showcase the city’s strong ties to history and community spirit, and kindle a festive spirit at the start of the spring season in Barcelona.
- 14th - 23rd March
- Free
- Gothic Quarter
March in Barcelona: Museums
Free Museum Days
On the first Sunday of every month, enjoy Free Museum Day! A selection of local museums opens their doors at no cost, giving residents the perfect opportunity to explore a wide variety of galleries, exhibitions, and historic buildings – completely free of charge.
Take advantage of this special day to discover art, culture, and history in your community. Check out our detailed guide below for participating museums and helpful tips to plan your visit!
World Capital of Architecture 2026
This year, Barcelona has been nominated as ‘World Capital of Architecture 2026’. In order to showcase everything the city has to offer, Barcelona has organised many events, installations, and walking tours that center around creating an awareness of its historic and modern architecture. These projects examine the city’s ever-shifting role in the face of a growing population and the continuous threat and pressures of climate change on urban spaces.
March in Barcelona offers exhibitions, such as the ‘Welcome to the World Capital of Architecture’ installations, as well as many other activities throughout the city, which present a unique opportunity for locals and internationals alike to look past the famous facades of the city and explore the spaces between and beneath what is familiar.
- Barcelona
- More info
Gaudí Year Activities
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the death of the famous modernist architect Antoni Gaudí in 1926, Barcelona is organizing many architectural events throughout the year. The large variety of exhibitions invites audiences to connect more deeply with Gaudí’s work and his life, and cast a light onto both his famous and his lesser-known projects.
Both Casa Batlló and Sagrada Família are hosting different interactive events in the coming months. And since the 31st of January, a new contemporary art exhibition, ‘Beyond the Façade’, has opened on the second floor of Casa Batlló, offering the perfect opportunity to visit – or revisit – this work of Gaudí’s during March in Barcelona. The gallery can be viewed both alongside a visit to Casa Battló or separately.
Museu Endins
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at museums, and what kind of work is done there? Have you wondered how the archives, laboratories, workshops, and reserves look, and what happens day to day, in order to create, document, and preserve the artefacts and artworks we can see in exhibitions?
Well, on the 7th of March in Barcelona, you’ll be able to find out! This year, 17 museums are taking part in the day-long project that allows visitors to explore these usually restricted spaces from a new perspective, so don’t miss this unique opportunity!
- 7th March
- Free
- Barcelona
- More info
March in Barcelona: Dance, Film & Music
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
- Free - 34
- City Centre
- More info
Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival
Another music festival that marks the start of spring in March in Barcelona 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!
- 5th March - 1st April
- Free
- 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.
- 5th - 22nd March
- Free
- City Centre
- More info
Brain Film Festival
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
- Free
- Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
- More info
Maria Canals International Piano Competition
This year, the Maria Canals International Piano Competition is hosting its 71st annual festival, showcasing young musical talents from all over the world who are eager to become professional pianists, all at the beautiful Palau de la Música Catalana. Additionally, pianos will also be set up all across the city, welcoming anyone and everyone to try their skills and join in the celebration. From the 15th to the 26th of March, get ready for Barcelona to be filled with music!
- 15th - 26th March
- City Centre
- More info
D'A Film Festival
The Festival de Cinema de Barcelona, or D’A, is one of the biggest and most exciting film festivals hosted in the city every year. It presents a great selection of new and fresh filmmaking talent, as well as internationally succesful productions and directors. Discover more about their extensive program on the D’A website!
- 19th - 29th March
- From €35
- City Centre
- More info
Flavours of March in Barcelona
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.
Food Festivals in Barcelona
If there’s one thing Barcelona does well, it’s food. From rustic traditions like calçots to the sparkle of cava and the aperitif charm of vermut, the city’s gastronomy is endlessly exciting. A food festival is the ideal way to experience it all. We’ve rounded up the food-focused events in March so you can plan your tastings.
- Gastro Fest (San Miguel Gastrofest Km0), Passeig de Gourmets
- Depending on the festival
- Several locations
March in Barcelona: Sport Events
Marathon of Barcelona - Zurich Marató Barcelona
One of Barcelona’s biggest annual marathons, the Zurich Marató Barcelona, has been held every year since 1977. It is a highly popular event, with thousands of runners joining the 42,1 km long race each year. And for good reason- the lively atmosphere, rich cultural and architectural sights, and additional activities, such as the Breakfast Run and Pasta Party, make the Zurich Marató Barcelona worth remembering.
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 most spectacular highlights, such as the Sagrada Família, Plaça d’Espanya, and the Arc de Triomf.
- 15th March 2026
- 65-89
- City Centre
- 42,1 km
- More info
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
For over a century, this Catalan bike race has been held annually at the end of March. The competition is spread across seven stages, each set in a different area of Catalonia, with routes reaching up to 173 km in length. The final stage of the race takes place in Barcelona, with athletes sprinting to reach the top of Montjuïc, and with it, the finish line.
- 23rd - 29th March
- Catalonia
- More info
Other things to do in March
Flower Fields
If you are eager to get out of the city as spring kickstarts this March in Barcelona, consider visiting one of the flower fields in the region. Not far from Barcelona are cherry, peach, and almond valleys, which can be explored either by car or by foot, and many municipalities have even designed custom routes to explore the fields. Places such as Aitona, or Les Garrigues in Leida, offer colourful and blooming sights to explore this season!
- March
- Free
- Multiple Regions in Catalonia
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