What to do in November in Barcelona
Finally, cooler weather is arriving to Barcelona. But as with every other month, there is still plenty to do and see around the city! It is a time for warmer drinks, sweaters and a wide range of festivities. With the amazing celebrations of Castanyada and Halloween, we move into November. This means that it is time for Cursa Jean Bouin, Black Friday, and various local festivities.
What to do in November in Barcelona?
November Bank Holidays
Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day)
The first day of November is famously known as All Saints’ Day, or Dia de Todos Los Santos. As a national public holiday, All Saints’ Day has its roots in Christian tradition and is known as the official day to honour the dead, and is closely tied to La Castanyada. In Spain, people put flowers on the graves of the loved ones that have passed and attend a church service in their honour. As a national public holiday, most shops will be closed. For those that are interested in knowing more about this day, one can visit the cemetery museum at Montjuïc to see the collection of funeral carriages.
November in Barcelona: Important Dates
25N
The 25th of November is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. Last year, a recorded 40,000 people were in attendance of a rally, with the main goal of protesting against gender-based violence. But despite its heavy topic, the day is filled with hope and community, and an empowerment unlike anything else.
In addition to the manifestations held in the city, Barcelona also hosts an annual 25N Award. Run by the Barcelona City Council, the prize is awarded to one of the many nominated projects dedicated to eliminating gender violence in the city. The award is 15,000 euros, and the awards ceremony held every year involves musical performances and speeches from important people in the city.
November in Barcelona: Festas
Barcelona’s neighbourhood spirit continues into November, with several districts celebrating their Festa Majors. The streets of Clot – Camp de l’Arpa, la Verneda i Sant Martí, la Sagrera, and Sant Andreu de Palomar come alive with music, parades, castellers (human towers), and community gatherings. Each Festa Major is unique, but together they showcase the city’s deep-rooted traditions and the warmth of its local communities, proof that Barcelona’s festive calendar is thriving well beyond the summer months.
- Festa Major del Clot - Camp D L’arpa, Festa Major de la Verneda I Sant Martí, Festa Major de la Sagrera, Festa Major De Sant Andreu De Palomar
- Free
- Several locations
November in Barcelona: Art, Music & Culture
November Music Festivals
In November, Barcelona continues to pulse with music, offering an exciting blend of live performances and cultural energy. The Barcelona Jazz Festival fills the city with rich melodies and world-class talent, while Cruïlla Tardor brings a burst of energy with its mix of pop, rock, and indie sounds across some of the city’s most atmospheric venues. From laid-back jazz sessions to dynamic concert nights, November’s festivals capture the rhythm and warmth of autumn in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Jazz Festival, Cruïlla Tardor
- Depending on the festival
- Several locations
MIRA Digital Arts Festival
MIRA transforms Barcelona into a playground of digital creativity. This cutting-edge festival blends art, technology, and music through immersive installations, live audiovisual performances, and interactive experiences. With its mix of visual experimentation and electronic soundscapes, MIRA offers a multi-sensory journey that celebrates innovation and the future of digital art.
- 46-105
- 7th - 8th November
- Fira de Barcelona
- More info
World Press Photo Exhibition
Experience the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 on its global tour, a powerful showcase of the stories that matter, told through the winning images from the 68th annual World Press Photo Contest.
Featuring the year’s most compelling photojournalism and documentary photography, the exhibition highlights the work of photographers from around the world. Selected by an independent jury of 31 international experts, this year’s winners were chosen from over 59,000 entries submitted by 3,778 photographers across 141 countries.
- Free
- 7th November - 14th December
- Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona
- More info
Drap-Art Festival
Taking place throughout November and December, Drap-Art brings sustainability and creativity together in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. This eco-conscious art festival showcases works made from recycled and upcycled materials, turning discarded objects into thought-provoking installations, fashion pieces, and performances. It’s a colourful, community-driven event that reimagines waste as art, and makes environmental awareness inspiring and fun.
- Mostly Free
- 20th November - 21st December
- Multiple locations
- More info
November in Barcelona: Other Events & Activities
Running in Barcelona
November is an ideal time for running in Barcelona, with cooler temperatures and scenic routes that wind through the city’s historic streets and along its Mediterranean coastline. The city’s vibrant running calendar makes it easy for runners of all levels to get involved, from the Vueling Cursa de Bombers, a popular 10K that celebrates Barcelona’s firefighters, to the Carrera de la Mujer, dedicated to women’s empowerment and solidarity, and the historic Cursa Jean Bouin, one of Spain’s oldest athletics events. Together, these races showcase the city’s energetic spirit and love for outdoor sport.
Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights in Barcelona, also known as “Llums de Nadal”, are truly a spectacular sight with over 110km of colourful and festive lights throughout the city. Barcelona’s incredible Christmas lights will be unveiled on 28th of November on Passeig de Gràcia, and will remain up until the 6th January.
Lights may be on from 5:30pm until 1am from Sundays to Thursdays, and from 5:30pm to 2am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and the eve of public holidays.
The designs are varied, encompassing both traditional lights and also highly innovative luminations. The overall budget from the City Council for all seasonal lighting this year is 3.3 million euros, around 13% more than last year, which highlights the scale of the Christmas light show.
Go Shopping On Black Friday
As in many other cities and countries nowadays, many Barcelona stores also participate in the traditionally American concept of ‘Black Friday’, the day after Thanksgiving in the USA marked by heavily discounted shopping. This year, that day falls on the 28th of November. The retail sector uses the term to indicate that prices of products will be reduced and that there will be good deals. For many people, ‘Black Friday’ is the day to go shopping for presents for all the upcoming festivities, including Christmas.
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