Calendar of holidays in Barcelona in 2019

If you come to Barcelona on vacation or for a business trip it is important that you know if there is a public holiday happening in Barcelona and what it is celebrating. It may be that your stay in the city coincides with a special celebration and you will have the opportunity to see traditional dances, enjoy a gastronomic event or even see a performance by the famous “castellers” (Human towers).

Calendar of Holidays in Barcelona
  • January 1: New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is the first day of the year and a holiday in the whole of Spain. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat on this day celebrating new beginnings, check out our guide here.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • January 6: Three King’s Day

In Spain, the majority of presents being given and received on this day instead of Christmas Day.  The night before, you will find big parades where the three king’s hand out sweets for the children. Find out more about it here. 

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • January 17: Tres Tombs 

Celebrated around the feast of Sant Antoni Abat (January 17), the main activity is the passing of horses, rides or pulling carriages, which make a circuit through the centre of the city. The reason? The blessing of animals, formerly the economic and social engine of society. 

Working day? Yes 

Will shops open? Yes

  • February 12: Santa Eulàlia Festivity 

Santa Eulàlia Festivity is celebrated every year around February 12, not only in Barcelona, but in many nearby cities. Normally the party is celebrated on the weekend closest to February 12 and is a party where you can witness many different popular cultural activities: traditional dances, sardanes, correfocs and also castellers.

Working day? Yes 

Will shops open? Yes 

  • February 28: Carnival 

This year carnival is celebrated from February 28 to March 6, and as in the rest of the world, it is a week of joy and madness. In Barcelona you will be able to see the “Rei Carnestoltes” arriving with 7 ambassadors to inaugurate the carnaval and during this week you will see several parades with people in costume in different neighborhoods of the city.

Working day? Yes 

Will shops open? Yes

  • April 19: Good Friday

Good Friday is the first day in the long weekend celebrating the religious Christian festival of Easter. Around this time it is quite common to find religious parades happening throughout Barcelona. 

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • April 22: Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the final day in the long weekend celebrating the religious Christian festival of Easter. Around this time it is quite common to find religious parades happening throughout Barcelona. 

Also, it’s a tradition that the godfather or grandfather of the grandchildren or godchildren gives them “La Mona de Pasqua” on Easter Sunday or Easter Monday. “La Mona de Pasqua” is a sweet dessert that is usually eaten with chocolate and hard-boiled egg. It is a tradition that symbolizes that Lent and their abstinences are over. 

In addition, the most famous pastry shops compete to showcase the most spectacular chocolate figures in their windows.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • April 23: Sant Jordi

A holiday around most of the world, labour day is the celebration of workers and as well a celebration of the beginning of spring.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

The Day of Sant Jordi is celebrated on April 23 coinciding with international book day. In Catalonia it is a very important celebration and it is the equivalent of Saint Valentine’s Day. It is a day to celebrate culture and love and it is typical for couples to celebrate it in the following way: Boys buy roses for girls and girls buy a book for boys. (Nowadays boys also buy a book for girls on most occasions). It is also typical for girls to receive a rose from friends at work or their parents. So it’s possible you will see girls with more than one rose 😉  

This day is of Catalan origin. You will see how the centre of Barcelona (the Ramblas, Plaça Catalunya, etc.) is filled with book stands and rivers of people with roses in their hands.

Working day? Yes 

Will shops open? Yes 

  • May 1: Labour Day

A holiday around most of the world, labour day is the celebration of workers and as well a celebration of the beginning of spring.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • June 10: Pentecost Monday / Whitmonday

A celebration that happens 50 days after Easter, Second Easter is a religious festival.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • June 24: Sant Joan

An exciting festival that happens throughout Catalunya to celebrate the longest day in the year, you will see the sky lit up with fireworks and parties on the beach. Find out more here.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No  

  • August 15: The Assumption of Mary

A public holiday celebrating the Mary’s assumption into heaven.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No  

  • September 11: The National Day of Catalunya

The national day of Catalonia is the commemoration of when Barcelona fell during the Spanish War of Succession. On this day, you will see political parties and organizations laying flowers at different sites throughout the city, including monuments to those who defended the city. There are also demonstrations to pay homage to the defenders.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No 

  • September 24: La Mercè

One of the biggest days of celebration in Barcelona, the days up to and including La Mercè are a combination of cultural festivals throughout the whole of the city. Find out more here.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • October 12: The National Day of Spain

This day is the National Day of Spain. Also commonly said “Día de la Hispanidad” commemorates when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas in 1492.

Working day? No

Will shops open? Yes

  • November 1: All Saint’s Day

A celebration of those who have passed away, All Saint’s Day comes after the Catalan festivity La Castanyada, celebrating autumn. 

Working day? No

Will shops open? No  

  • December 6: Day of the Constitution

This day commemorates when the new constitution of Spain was signed in 1978. 

Working day? No

Will shops open? Yes 

  • December 25: Christmas Day

Celebrated around the world, Christmas Day is a day for meeting with family

and exchanging gifts. Here’s our handy guide on what to do in Barcelona around Christmas time

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

  • December 26: Saint Stephen’s Day 

A celebration of Saint Stephen, the day after Christmas.

During this day it is a tradition to eat “canelons.”  Find out what other dishes are typical during Christmas time in Catalunya.

Working day? No

Will shops open? No

If you’re looking for more to do in Barcelona or want the ideal itinerary laid out for your trip, why not check out our one, three and five day guides and check out the rest of our blog so you can make the most of this vibrant city

Additionally, if you want to check the calendar of commercial openings in Barcelona, check here.


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