A weekend in Barcelona
VISCA BARCELONA! Visiting Barcelona is about more than walking from one hotspot to the next. To explore the liveliness and pleasures that make the city unique, you must celebrate with its locals. Luckily, there are opportunities galore to do that. Mark these days in your calendar, as they are the ultimate times to head to Barcelona.
CAVALCADA DE REIS 6 January The Epiphany is a huge deal in Spain. In the grand finale of the festive season, kids receive the biggest presents of all, and families gather for the last, snowy celebration of the holidays. In Barcelona, a grand parade with the three kings and their magical entourage roams the streets and warms up the hearts of all ages the night before.
LLUM BCN POBLENOU Mid-February For one weekend in February, Poblenou, Barcelona’s busiest business district, gets lit up by the work of over 20 local and international light artists. Follow the lasers from one installation to the next while you stroll through the chilly Eixample.
C A R N E S T O LT E S 19 - 25 February (2020) The carnival of Barcelona is a rather intimate gathering. Many neighbourhoods organise small parades and parties and in the city centre, a sizable cavalcade marches through the streets. Yet, to experience the real Catalan carnival, you’d better take a train to Sitges, a picturesque coastal town 40 minutes west. Here, madness characterises the colourful carnival week with big costumes, tons of confetti and tens of thousands of party people. 64 | Festas/Fiestas/Parties
Llum BCN Poble Nou. © Adjuntament Barcelona
SANT JORDI 23 April Forget Valentine’s day. In Catalonia, Sant Jordi is the day of unaltered love. Traditionally, girls receive a rose from their loved ones and boys a book. Therefore, the streets are filled with book and rose markets where hopeless romantics take their pick.
LA NIT DELS MUSEUS 16 May (2020) During the museum night, you can visit your favourite museums long after the usual closing time. Until 1am, the collections of most museums remain on display, often with atmospheric events and activities on the side.
PRIMAVERA SOUND 4 - 6 June (2020) Barcelona kicks off the spring with a vibrant, alternative festival with ocean views. The line-up keeps a safe distance from all that’s commercial, yet the festival welcomes everyone to its amazing bubble of beats.
PRIDE! BCN 20 - 27 June (in 2020) Traditionally, June is Pride month – a month during which the global LGBT+ community hits the streets to demand equality and respect. During the last weekend of June, Barcelona turns pink, as well, with a big parade, plenty of parties and a fair share of unconditional love taking over the city.