Barcelona Festivals – Guide to the Best Fiestas in Barcelona
Guide to Barcelona’s best fiestas 2010
Barcelona is a colourful, warm, energetic city that has been transformed in recent years into one of Europe’s favourite short break destinations, with festivals taking place throughout the year. Watch this splendid slideshow of Barcelona during feistas.
As the capital of Catalonia, the city has a proud and distinctive culture, language and cuisine, as well as a huge variety of architectural styles – from historic buildings to strikingly modern constructions, and brightly painted Gaudi designs to darkly Gothic styles. If you are planning to stay longer and see more of Spain, car hire is readily available from offices in Barcelona and airports. For more ideas about where to visit in Spain see out other articles tagged Spain here we focus on the city’s attractions and festivals.
Barcelona Sights
Amongst the city’s year-round sights are Las Ramblas, the city’s main tourist thoroughfare; the medieval maze making up the Gothic Quarter; the redeveloped Waterfront; the work of architect Antoni Gaudí (including the immense and unfinished Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Milà); the Picasso Museum; and, for football fans, the FC Barcelona Museum.
Barcelona Festivals
Barcelona also hosts a number of annual fiestas, many of which are unique to Catalonia and offer an insight into its distinctive culture. Here are some highlights from throughout the year:
La Diada de Sant Jordi
23 April 2010
This is a distinctively Catalan day celebrating the city’s patron saint, Sant Jordi (Saint George).
It’s also known as el dia de la rosa (The Day of the Rose) or el dia del llibre (The Day of the Book) since men traditionally give women a rose, and women usually give men a book in tribute to Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright Cervantes, who died on this day in 1616. It’s a bit like Valentine’s Day, and from a traveller’s perspective it’s an interesting time to be around the Ramblas area, where a huge flower market springs up alongside book stalls where locals buy gifts for their loved ones. Catalonia’s national dance, the sardana, is performed throughout the day in the Plaça Sant Jaume, and a variety of street performers and musicians fill the plazas with their live entertainment.
Festival de Sonar
17-19 June 2010
Sonar is a three-day urban festival showcasing advanced music and multimedia art, including emerging artists and DJs representing the most up to date music and new media trends.
The festival takes place on 17-19 June 2010 and is split into ‘Sonar by Day’ activities (in the CCCB and MACBA venues), including technology fairs, and ‘Sonar by Night’ (Fira Gran Via M2 L’Hospitalet), including many music events. You can find out more or buy tickets at http://2010.sonar.es/ (there is an English language choice at the bottom).
Festival de Sant Joan
23 June 2010
This midsummer Solstice festival is a lot of fun, taking place on 23 June mainly around the beach. There are fireworks, bonfires and lots of partying – and you may also find restaurants serving special festival dishes such as Coca de Sant Joan.
Grec Festival de Barcelona
June-August 2010
This three month long music, dance, theatre and circus festival is one of Barcelona’s top events. Held every year between June and August at venues all over the city, the fiesta features a whole host of lively performances.
For further schedule details and tickets visit the official website
Festa Major de Gracia
Around 15 August (TBC)
This week-long annual Catalonian celebration in the second half of August sees Barcelona’s neighbourhoods compete with one another to present the most beautifully-decorated streets. Festooned with lights and elaborate coloured decorations, it’s a great time to explore the city – and there’s also live music, fireworks, all-night parties and lots of drinking.
http://www.festamajordegracia.cat/
Festes de la Merce
22 – 26 September 2010 (TBC)
Barcelona’s biggest annual festival brings together several events including human tower competitions (featuring groups of castellers), firework displays, live music, and processions featuring giant wooden figures. All the festivities are accompanied by plenty of Cava-drinking, celebrating the national drink of Catalonia.
Coming up in February there’s the lively 10-day Carnival, or Carnaval, held every year around Ash Wednesday. In 2010, this free fiesta takes place from 11 – 21 February, with the action centred along the city’s main thoroughfare, the Rambla. Year-round, this is a pleasant avenue for a stroll, lined with palm trees, ice cream shops and outdoor cafés. But during the Carnival the Rambla is a real feast for the eyes, with decorated floats, dancing, and marching bands. One of the highlights is Saturday’s Sábado Ramblero, an elaborate carnival costume parade which takes over the street like a grand masquerade ball.
