If you’re living, working, or studying in Barcelona, here’s a perk you’ll love: Public Holidays in Barcelona are more generous than in many other countries, in 2026 Barcelona will have 14 days off. Public holidays shape the city’s rhythm all year, from national celebrations like Easter and Labour Day to local festivals like ‘La Mercè’. Knowing dates, long weekends (‘puentes’), and seasonal breaks helps residents, families, and newcomers plan school, work, and leisure, while making the most of cultural events and key bank holidays in Barcelona throughout the year.
Public holidays and main celebrations in Barcelona
Public Holidays in Barcelona 2026
Public holidays in Barcelona are a mix of national, regional, and city-specific celebrations. While national and Catalonia-wide holidays are straightforward, the city-only dates – like ‘La Mercè’ in Barcelona, or local festivities in Castelldefels – can be confusing, especially for families or anyone who lives, works, or studies across different towns. These local holidays can affect school schedules, business hours, and public services, so planning ahead is essential if your daily life spans multiple cities.
Public Holidays in Barcelona: Puente
‘Puente’ (literally ‘bridge’) refers to a long weekend, created when a public holiday falls close to the weekend – for example, if a holiday lands on a Thursday or Tuesday, many people take the adjacent Friday or Monday off to ‘bridge’ the gap. Puentes are popular for short trips, family time, or vacations, but they can also affect business hours, public transport, and school schedules.
Main Holiday Seasons
Barcelona has three main holiday periods when many locals are away: Easter, August, and the Christmas season. During Easter (‘Semana Santa’), schools close and families often take short trips, while traditional processions and festivals bring the city to life. All throughout August, many people head to the coast or countryside, leaving the city quieter than usual. The Christmas season runs through late December and officially ends after the Three Kings’ Day parade on the 5th to 6th January, when families celebrate the ‘Epiphany’ and the holiday festivities conclude.
Summer Holidays
Summer holidays for kids in Barcelona usually start in late June and last around 11-12 weeks, ending in early September. In some schools, the holidays end around ‘La Diada’ (11th September), Catalonia’s National Day, though the exact dates can vary by school and city.
January 2027
New Year's Day
New Year’s Day marks the start of the year in the Gregorian calendar and is a public holiday in most countries.
- 1st January
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
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 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. Each city has their own ‘Cavalcada’ parade, which involves giant animals, floats, music, candy, and dancing. It is held on the same day every year and offers a range of fun activities for the entire family.
3 Kings' Day
- 6th January
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
Festa Major de Sant Antoni
The ‘Festa Major de Sant Antoni’ is a week-long festival that features a colourful Giants Parade (‘Gegants’), a thrilling night-time fire run (‘Correfoc’), traditional music, dances, community meals, and a market with local crafts, all celebrating Catalan culture and traditions.
- 16th - 25th January
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
February 2027
Santa Eulàlia
This festival is in honour of the co-patron of Barcelona, Santa Euàlia. The celebrations include age-old Catalan traditions such as a ‘Correfoc’, a fire-run through the streets of Barcelona, human towers called ‘Castellers’, and a Giants parade starring ‘La Laia’, 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, ‘Santa Eulàlia’ 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 performing all throughout the day.
- 12th February
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
Carnival in Barcelona
This vibrant 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 King and Queen’, and the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ (‘Entierro de la Sardina’), the Carnival brings us a colourful week filled with concerts, parades, workshops, and a large selection of other fun activities.
- 12th - 18th February
- Fixed date: no (Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday)
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
March 2026
International Women´s Day
Every year, Barcelona celebrates International Women’s Day on 8th March with a number of events, ranging from protests, an evening demonstration the night before, to talks and workshops in every neighbourhood. People are encouraged to wear purple to show their solidarity, and the Barcelona City Council as well as independent organisations all across the city dedicate themselves to fighting for more gender-equality and inclusivity for all, in every area of life.
- 8th March
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
April 2026
Easter
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 offer, the season of Easter is a great excuse to attend a religious festival in Barcelona that you’ll truly never forget.
Semana Santa
- 29th March - 5th April
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
Good Friday
- 3rd April
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
Easter Monday
- 6th April
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - regional holiday
Feria De Abril
Another cultural festival in Barcelona is the April Festival, the ‘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.
- 29th March - 5th April
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
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.
- 23rd April
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
May 2026
Labour Day
The month of May begins with Labour Day, an international holiday that is most commonly associated with the achievements of the labour movement. Most businesses close their doors, with the exception of those inside the Maremagnum shopping centre, the Gothic Quarter and El Born. There may also be protests and demonstrations going on throughout the city centre.
- 1st May
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
Mother’s Day
The first Sunday of May is Mother’s Day, also known as ‘Dia de la Madre’. This holiday has been celebrated in Spain since 1944 and emphasises the strength and importance of mothers in every aspect of life. It wasn’t until 1965 that Mother’s Day was celebrated in May, as this is the month of the Virgin Mary. It is said that carnations are the official flowers for Mother’s Day, however, it is not just a day for showering your mother with gifts. It is also the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together.
- 3rd May
- Fixed date: no (first Sunday in May)
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
Whit / Pentecost Monday
Whit Monday is not only a holiday, but a deeply-rooted religious festival in Barcelona, held on 25th May. With many names (‘Cinquagesma’, ‘Pentecostès’, ‘Pasqua de Pentecosta’, ‘Segona Pasqua’, ‘Pasqua Granada’, etc.) and many different forms of celebration in Catalonia, 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.
- 25th May
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - local holiday
June 2026
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 Christi’ celebrations are the procession, the dancing egg, and the ephemeral carpets.
- 4th - 7th June
- Fixed date: no
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
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 before the bank holiday. Bonfires and fireworks light up the streets from the shortest night of the year, 23rd June, to the longest day of the year, 24th June, to celebrate the summer solstice.
Sant Joan Celebrations
- 23rd June
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
Sant Joan
- 24th June
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - regional holiday
July 2026
Every year on 15th August, Barcelona celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, one of Spain’s most important Catholic holidays. The day marks the Virgin Mary being taken up into Heaven after her death and is observed with church services, processions, and local festivities. The Assumption has been celebrated across Spain since the 18th century.
August 2026
Assumption of Mary
- 15th August
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
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.
- Week of 15th August
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes (15th August, Assumption of Mary)
September 2026
La Diada
The National Day of Catalonia, also known as ‘Diada Nacional de Catalunya’ or simply ‘La Diada’, is celebrated annually on the 11th September. This is a day where Catalan nationalists will pay their respects to fallen soldiers who died defending the city of Barcelona during the siege of 1714. Demonstrations in support of Catalonia’s independence are common, in addition to festivities where traditional Catalan cuisine, culture, and music are shared.
- 11th September
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - regional holiday
La Mercè
This is known to be the ultimate cultural festival in Barcelona. ‘La Mercè’ is a macro-festival that includes separate celebrations. The purpose of the event is to honour one of the two co-patron saints of Barcelona, Mare de Deu de la Mercè, also known as Mother of the God of Mercy. Now, these festivals intend to showcase the cultural wealth of Barcelona. Creatives from all around Barcelona come together to showcase a variety of art forms, old and new. There are over 500 activities and events taking place at the ‘La Mercè’ festival every year.
- 14th September
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - local holiday
October 2026
National Day of Spain
The 12th October is the National Day of Spain, commemorating the country’s history and the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas, which marked Spain’s cultural and linguistic expansion. It’s celebrated across Spain and the Hispanic world, highlighting shared heritage and cultural ties. However, in regions like Catalonia, the day is more controversial, often marked by demonstrations. While Madrid hosts grand celebrations with a military parade and royal family involvement, Barcelona’s observance is more subdued, though there are still activities and events to attend.
- 12th October
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
La Castanyada
‘La Castanyada’ takes place every year on 31st October in Catalonia. This traditional autumn festival celebrates the season with roasted chestnuts, sweet almond treats called ‘panellets’, and seasonal drinks, often enjoyed with family and friends. ‘La Castanyada’ is closely tied to the Catholic holiday of All Saints’ Day (‘Dia de Todos Los Santos’) on 1st November, when Catholics honour the dead. Recently, ‘American Halloween’ on 31st October has become increasingly popular, ‘Castaween’ is a unique fusion of the two traditions celebrated in Barcelona.
- 31st October
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
November 2026
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 their loved ones who 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.
- 1st November
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no (although normally a public holiday, in 2026 it falls on a Sunday)
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.
- 25th November
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no
December 2026
On 6th December, Spain celebrates a national holiday marking the anniversary of the 1978 referendum in which Spaniards approved the country’s current Constitution. Despite being a public holiday, with most people enjoying a day off work, many stores in the city centre remain open, allowing for Christmas shopping amidst the festive atmosphere.
Dia de la Constitució
- 6th December
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no (although normally a public holiday, in 2026 it falls on a Sunday)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
On 8th December, Catalans celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, commemorating the Catholic Church’s declaration that the Virgin Mary was conceived free from sin by the grace of God. This day also marks a cherished tradition for Catalan families – the introduction of ‘Caga Tió’ (‘Tió de Nadal’), a festive log character. Children place the ‘Tió’ in their living room and lovingly care for it until Christmas Eve, when it becomes the centrepiece of a unique and joyful holiday ritual.
- 8th December
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
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 atmosphere and sights around the city are nonetheless still worth checking out in our Christmas in Barcelona blog below.
Christmas Eve
- 24th December
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: no - while it’s not an official public holiday, many shops and companies still close early
Christmas
- 25th December
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - national holiday
Boxing Day
- 26th December
- Fixed date: yes
- Public holiday in Barcelona: yes - regional holiday
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