Autumn is almost here and while in many parts of the world, people will start putting away their swimwear, summer outfits, Barcelona weather allows for a slow and warm transition to autumn weather. There are many new festivities coming up this month, but let’s not forget about some of the summer activities such as festivals and movie nights that are still going on. Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean the party has to!
Activities and events in September in Barcelona
Bank holidays in September in Barcelona
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.
La Mercè (Festa Major de Barcelona)
This is known to be the festival of all the festivals in Barcelona. It is a macro-festival that includes separate festivals. The intent of these festivals is to showcase the cultural wealth of Barcelona. Creatives from all around Barcelona come together to showcase all the different art forms, old and new.
The festival takes place every year at the end of September. The official feast day is on the 24th of September. The celebration has been an official holiday of the city since 1871. That year the local government put together different special activities to celebrate the Roman Catholic feast day of La Mare de Déu de la Mercè, also known as the Virgin of Grace.
In 1687 Barcelona suffered a plague of locusts. The Consell de Cent (Governmental Institution of Barcelona) voted to ask the Virgin for help in fighting the insects. After the city was cleared of the insects, the Virgin of Grace was recognised as the patroness of Barcelona.
Like many of the other Catalan festivities, giants known as ‘gegants i capgrossos’ and ‘Castellers de Barcelona’ play an important role in showcasing tradition. Other traditions included in the festival are the Catalan Wine Fair, special correfoc, the pyro-musical and the ‘Cursa De La Mercè‘. There are about 500 activities taking place in the city in honour of this celebration. To bring the people of Barcelona knowledge from other cultures, a different ‘Guest City’ is invited each year to present its artists and culture.
BAM Festival
Get in your last summer music festival at BAM (Barcelona Accio Musical) Festival! In celebration of the La Mercè festivities, there is a series of free, outdoor concerts all throughout the city of Barcelona. Not only are the concerts free, there are concerts in every genre of music. From electronic to pop to rock, everyone can find a show for them at Bam Festival!
Cursa de la Mercè
Every year, up to 8,000 runners participate in the 10 kilometres route through the streets of Barcelona. The Cursa de la Mercè will take place along with the 2K MERCÈ Inclusive Race. The general feel of excitement in the city is magnetic and will without a doubt motivate you to get on those running shoes as well.
September in Barcelona: Festa Major
Festa Major d’Horta
The first festivity in the month of September is the ‘Festa Major d’Horta’. It is a party that takes place in the neighbourhood called ‘Horta’. The festivity is celebrated in honour of the patron saint, ‘Saint Gaudentius’, and dates back all the way to 1731. On 10th September each year, the people of Horta take part in a special ceremony in front of the Sant Joan D’Horta parish church. There are concerts, a wide range of children’s activities and sports events.
Festa Major de la Barceloneta
Barceloneta is a neighbourhood that has played a very important role in the history of Barcelona. Back in the day, it was a seafarers’ and fishermen’s neighbourhood, but also has an important past of workers and craftsmen. The land where Barceloneta is now located was reclaimed from the sea. The ‘Festa’ is held in honour of Sant Miquel del Port, who was chosen as the neighbourhood’s saint by St Michael; the captain-general of Catalonia.
Barcelona International Community Day
The Barcelona Maritime Museum, located in the old Royal Shipyards, will host the 11th Barcelona International Community Day on Saturday 28th September. The event is the main welcome space for newly arrived international professionals and is an important meeting point for all members of the international community who are both living and working in Barcelona. It is also open to anyone interested in connecting with like-minded and diverse individuals.
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a yacht sailing competition that takes place every four years, and is also the oldest international sporting trophy dating back to 1851. This year, Barcelona is bringing to you the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, taking place between August and October 2024. The sailing world has chosen to make Barcelona their home for what promises to be one of the most intense and exciting America’s Cups in the event’s 174-year history.
Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana
From the 8th of September to the 24th of November 2024, Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial, will come to Barcelona and the wider metropolitan region for its 15th edition.
Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana aims to bring new perspectives to Barcelona and its surrounding regions. Through artistic interventions in prominent historical venues and industrial sites never before opened to the public, the biennial is dedicated to fostering positive social change through art, urbanism, design, architecture and the involvement of local communities.
Check out the 12-week programme featuring projects, interventions, events, and talks across 12 cities, with over 90 local and international participants.
CAN REON Festival
This year’s festival, nestled in the rolling hills of the CAN REON vineyards in Tiana, promises the perfect combination between nature, art, and technology.
The festival provides a perfect backdrop for artists addressing new contemporary experiences, fusing traditional themes with new digital works, where play and art, food and performance will come together in nature.
Friday the 27th of September
- Panama Pictures – DANCE (Netherlands)
- b1n0 – MUSIC (Spain)
- Clara Peya – MUSIC (Spain)
- Maurice Scheltens & Bertjan Pot – ART (Netherlands)
- Cristina Lucas – ART (Spain)
- Jan Robert Leegte – ART (Netherlands)
- Margriet van Breevoort – ART (Netherlands)
- Jacco Olivier – ART (Netherlands)
Saturday the 28th of September
- Lucia Galdona – Masterclass and wine tasting – (Spain)
- Nina Backman & Sami Tallberg – Silence Meal – PERFORMANCE (Finland)
- Jero Castella – MUSIC (Spain)
- Panama pictures – DANCE (Netherlands)
- Gregotechno – MUSIC (Spain)
- IO – MUSIC (Spain)
- Maurice Scheltens & Bertjan Pot – ART (Netherlands)
- Cristina Lucas – ART (Spain)
- Jan Robert Leegte – ART (Netherlands)
- Margriet van Breevoort – ART (Netherlands)
- Jacco Olivier – ART (Netherlands)
Other events
La Setmana del Llibre en Català
This week is all about… you’ve guessed it; books! More than 200 exhibitors will showcase the diversity of Catalan literature. The first Catalan book week took place in 1983 and has now grown into an amazing weeklong event full of activities for both children and adults. The event is free for everyone and the date and program can be found on the website.
European mobility week
Barcelona is taking part in European Mobility Week. Barcelona City Council, the city’s organisations and associations, have planned over 100 activities. Join in on some fun to raise awareness and create a cleaner urban lifestyle!
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