Catalan Traditions

Often quirky and always heartfelt, our Catalan traditions are alive and well in Barcelona, side by side with all the latest modernity. We make sure to cover them to add to your enjoyment of our city.

Where is the Best Barcelona Christmas Market?

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See decorations at a Barcelona Christmas marketThe holiday season is such a magical time of year!  If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your Christmas, Barcelona is your ideal destination.  This enchanting and exotic city is home to some truly incredible attractions and activities during this time of year.  During the day, shopping in a Barcelona Christmas market is a popular pastime.  As the sun dips below the horizon, the streets illuminate with countless Barcelona Christmas lights twinkling in the dark.  While you’re in this city enjoying the quirky Christmas traditions and festivities, be sure to purchase a souvenir at a Barcelona Christmas market to commemorate your trip!  Here are some of the best Christmas fairs in Barcelona to explore during your vacation.  

5 Places to Experience a Barcelona Christmas Market this Holiday Season

1. Fira de Santa Llúcia

A Barcelona Christmas tradition that dates all the way back to 1786, Fira de Santa Llúcia is a can’t-miss event.  Their many booths feature items like musical instruments, Christmas decorations, crafts, and much more.  This is one of the most authentic Spanish markets in the city.  

Address: Carrer dels Lledó, 11, 2, 08002 Barcelona, España.

2. Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia

Located within gardens surrounding the iconic Sagrada Familia is the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia runs from late November through the beginning of December.  They offer all the gifts and treats you need for the Christmas season!

Address: Plaza de la Sagrada Familia, 1, 08013 Barcelona, España.

3. Mercat Gòtic (Fira de Brocanters)

This particular market is open all year long, but it especially busy during the holidays.  They offer a wide variety of precious antiques and other rare artifacts to browse.  You’re bound to find a unique treasure here!
Address: Avenida Catedral, 7, Ciutat Vella, El Barri Gòtic, 08002, Barcelona, España.

4. Col.lectiu d’Artesans de l’Alimentació

This is the best place to go if you’re looking for some of the finest local foods and produce!  Col.lectiu d’Artesans de l’Alimentació offers a wide selection of chocolates, wines, cakes, honey, cheeses, herbs, and much more.  They are open year round, so visitors are always able to stop by.

Address: Plaça del Pi, 08002 Barcelona, España.

5. Mostra d’Artesans de la Ribera

Located in the lovely El Born area, Mostra d’Artesans de la Ribera offers excellent hand-crafted gifts.  There are also many other shops located nearby this spot for you to continue your shopping adventure in Barcelona.

Address: Carrer de l’Argenteria, 4, Barcelona, España.

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National Day of Catalonia Celebrations

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Enjoy the festivities at the National Day of CataloniaEvery year on September 11th, Catalonians celebrate their national holiday throughout the region’s public spaces. With many of the businesses closed for the day, the National Day of Catalonia gives locals and visitors alike the chance to step back from daily routines to celebrate and commemorate. If you come to participate in this annual event you’ll witness the unique pride and patriotism found among this group of happy and passionate citizens who fought for their independence back on September 11th in 1714.

The holiday is celebrated by memorializing the Catalan heroes who fought in the War of the Spanish Succession, as well as many public and private parties throughout Barcelona and all of Catalonia. You may even catch a political demonstration by some of the still-fervent separatists, get to join in one of the many communal paella meals that are often taking place right out in the street, or catch a famous human pyramid in the making.

History of the National Day of Catalonia

Also known simply as La Diada, the National Day of Catalonia recognizes the day of September 11, 1714, towards the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, which marked the beginning of a long period in which French rule would take over the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia. The government of Catalonia wasn’t restored until December 31, 1979, and September 11th was proclaimed as the Day of Catalonia to commemorate the painful memories of when the region lost its liberties. The National Day of Catalonia became an official holiday on September 11th, 1980.

National Day of Catalonia Events

  • Ofrena floral al Monument de Rafael Casanova – Taking place at 9 am on La Diada each year is the laying of commemoration wreaths by Catalonia’s leaders such as current and former presidents, the Mayor of Barcelona, and other dignitaries from the area. It takes place at the Rafael Casanova Monument created by Rossend Nobas in 1886, a tomb at Iglesia de Sant Baldiri de Sant Boi. The wreaths are meant to pay tribute to all the Catalonian’s who died in the great War of the Spanish Succession.
  • Festa par la Llibertat – This outdoor freedom festival at the Arc de Triomf celebrates Catalan culture and the movement for the region’s independence from Spain. If you’re looking for a great time outside and some lovely music, concerts begin at 7 pm and continue into the night.
  • Government Open Houses – A few of the beautiful historic government buildings open their doors to the public as a way to celebrate the National Day of Catalonia each year. This year find both the Catalan Parliament at Parc de la Ciutadella open from 10 am to 7 pm, and the Palau de la Generalitat at the Plaça de Sant Jaume from 10 am to 5 pm.

The National Day of Catalonia is an exciting time to visit Barcelona this year. September 11th, 2016, falls on a Sunday, meaning that La Diada is the perfect opportunity to take a weekend away this fall. Barcelona is lovely in September as the temperatures start cooling down, and the busy month of August slips away. If you have yet to witness this epic street party and celebration of Catalan patriotism, make sure it’s on your list!

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National Day of Catalonia

Festa Major de Gràcia: See the Streets Come Alive!

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Enjoy the Festa Major de Gracia

The Festa Major de Gràcia is springing up in Barcelona again this year from August 15th through the 21st. One of the city’s foremost street festivals, this is a wonderful time to visit and experience traditional Catalan culture in one of the most beautiful and quirky neighborhoods in Catalonia. Both an opportunity to learn about Spanish traditions as well as enjoy delicious food and wonderful entertainment, Festa Major de Gràcia is truly an event of the year for many residents who graciously devote their public spaces to celebrating their ancestry, all the while welcoming guests – about 1.5 million of them each year – to share in this annual celebration.

A Local Tradition

Gràcia was once an independent town outside of Barcelona proper. As the city grew it engulfed this small community, but its roots have remained intact over the years through the hard work and commitment of the founding families. A way in which the area has remained such a tight community over the years is by hosting their annual Festa Major de Gràcia. Completely volunteer-led, members of the community have continued, year-after-year, to band together and host this outstanding celebration of Catalan culture in their very own streets. The communal feeling they create is indeed what keeps both residents and visitors returning every year for this event.

Grand Decorations

The main attraction is the outlandish and extravagant decorations that take months of planning, and days of setup before the festival each year. Local business owners and community members devote a lot of time to transforming the neighborhood into different scenes of underwater and Outerspace worlds, or even a zombie hangout. Every evening after sunset these displays light up, making for a beautiful evening stroll or an epic time to enjoy some tapas. The biggest crowds are found after sunset on August 15th as people flock to the streets to witness the first lighting of the year. Don’t miss seeing what worlds will arise at this year’s celebration!

Other Activities at Festa Major de Gràcia

Aside from the decorations, which are themselves worth the trip, festival goers can also look forward to tasting many dishes of Catalan tradition, drinking their wines, and enjoying their music that is played right in the street. This festival is completely free, besides the food and drink you might enjoy amid the created worlds, and is a the perfect activity for the whole family. The little ones will love exploring, eating and dancing in this festive atmosphere. More information on this year’s schedule can be found here in the coming weeks, so you can start getting excited for the Festa Major de Gràcia 2016.

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Tapas is one of the many Spanish traditions

Your Guide to the Unique Catalan and Spanish Traditions and Customs

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One of the best parts about visiting a new place is immersing yourself in their culture by observing and participating in their many customs and practices.  Spain, in particular, has some of the most uncommon and extraordinary behaviors in the world!  The northeast region of Spain, Catalonia, has its own distinct attributes as well.  Read the list below to discover some Catalan and Spanish traditions you may not have heard before.

Best Catalan and Spanish Traditions and Customs

Dining

Lunch is the most important meal of the day in Spain!  Breakfast and dinner are usually smaller meals, with dinner normally served around 9:00 p.m.  A popular form of Spanish food is tapas, which is a term that refers to small and delicious snacks eaten throughout the day.  One of the most beloved kinds of tapas in the Catalonia region is pan con tomate, a delightful toasted bread seasoned with tomato, olive oil, and salt.  

Entertainment

Entertainment in Spain is unlike any that you’ve ever experienced before!  Read through a few highlights of these popular recreational activities to get an idea of what you’ll see here.  

1. Bullfighting: This intense sport originated all the way back in 711 A.D.  It consists the skilled bullfighter, called a Matador, fighting to assert his dominance over a highly dangerous bull.  Onlookers sit on the edge of their seats to watch the outcome of these sometimes deadly shows.

2. Soccer: You’re guaranteed to love the thrill of an FC Barcelona soccer game!  These matches happen regularly and it’s fairly easy to score some tickets.  Visitors flock to the magnificent Camp Nou stadium so they don’t miss out on witnessing the stellar performance of one of the world’s best soccer teams.

3. Nightlife: A significant part of Spanish culture is their nightlife!  With all the spectacular beach clubs, going out on the town is a regular pastime here.  

Events and Holidays

Many Catalan and Spanish customs can be seen through their many unique holidays and festive events.  Take a look at these fun ways to celebrate in Spain and Catalonia!

1. Castellers: This is one of the best events to watch!  Part of the yearly Grand Festival, Castellers consists of teams of men standing on each others’ shoulders to create the tallest tower they can.  

2. Tió de Nadal: This Catalan Christmas tradition involves children dressing up a hollow log with a face, hat, and blanket.  This hollow log is filled with sweets the night before Christmas, so the children can wake up Christmas morning and beat the stump with a stick to spill out all the treats!

3. Carnival: One week of every year, the streets of Barcelona are filled with more colors and costumes than ever seen before!  The Carnival celebration honors the time period leading up to Lent through music, performances, games, and much more.

4. Running of the Bulls: This extreme event takes place in many Spanish cities as part of the San Fermin Festival; it consists of bulls being led at breakneck speeds throughout the streets.  This one of the most frequently spectated events in the area; it has been broadcasted live on television as well for over 30 years.

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Celebrating a Barcelona Holiday

Celebrate a Unique Barcelona Holiday with Carnival

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The Carnival is a traditional Barcelona holiday in February created to acknowledge the week before Lent begins.  This celebration, known for its vibrant masks and colorful costumes, is considered a way for locals to enjoy a few guilty pleasures before their time of fasting and praying begins on Ash Wednesday and continues throughout Lent, which ends Easter Day.  Generally known as a week of debauchery and gluttony, the Carnival in Barcelona is a series of extravagant events consisting of costumed performers, exciting games, and lots of eating meat (particularly hot dogs), since it is encouraged to sacrifice eating meat during Lent.  Learn more about how Carnival began and how it has developed to include the activities that this Barcelona holiday presents today.

All About Carnival, a Barcelona Holiday

History

Carnival can be traced back all the way to the Middle Ages.  This holiday is reported to have originated in Rome, influenced by their Saturnalia celebration, and then spread throughout the regions of Europe.  The early motivation of this week-long holiday was to embrace the concept of throwing social norms out the window and becoming whatever you wanted to be before you were forced to abide by the 40 days of fasting and submissiveness during Lent.  Locals would dress up in animal costumes and attend parades to celebrate this wild time of freedom before Lent began.  Today, these festivities have expanded to include even more entertaining events and activities!

Present-Day Carnival: Events

Today’s Carnival celebration in Barcelona involves a variety of live shows and performances, including parades jugglers, singers, dancers, bands, plays, and much more.  Locals and visitors of all ages, usually dressed in masks and costumes, attend this event spread throughout the city.  This Barcelona holiday begins on Dijous Gras, meaning “Dirty Thursday” or “Fat Thursday,” during which people gorge themselves on decadent, greasy, and fattening foods.  The week continues with countless events, including La Taronjada, a “battle” of orange balloons and confetti.  The Carnival celebration ends on Ash Wednesday with the Burial of the Sardine; this tradition, which is comprised of feasting and music, represents the death of the party and the rebirth of society.  This year’s Carnival will take place from February 4- February 6, 2016.

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Christmas lights

Christmas in Barcelona is Like a Fantastic Dream

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If you’re looking for a Christmas celebration unlike any other you’ve ever experienced, Barcelona is the perfect place for you this holiday season! December is an ideal month in this exotic region; the Barcelona Christmas weather isn’t too chilly, holiday activities are in full swing, and the streets and buildings are lavishly decorated. Exciting festivities, traditional culture, and welcoming locals make Christmas in Barcelona a truly magical time of year.

An Overview of Christmas in Barcelona

The Christmas season in Barcelona officially begins on December 8th, which is known as the Feast of Immaculate Conception, a day centered on the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin.  The majority of families in Barcelona begin decorating for Christmas on this day.  Usually the most prominent Christmas decorations in the typical Barcelona home are the Nativity scenes (complete with the traditional caganer) displaying the stable of Bethlehem.  Christmas Eve (La Nochebuena) is observed with an extravagant dinner to celebrate the birth of Christ, and Christmas Day is celebrated December 25th with gifts and meals; most businesses are closed to honor this day.  The end of the Christmas season is marked by Three Kings’ Day on January 6th; this holiday, even more widely observed than Christmas Day, represents the day the Three Wise Men arrived to visit Jesus and is celebrated by a large parade the evening before.

Things to Do in Barcelona for Christmas

Barcelona Christmas Market:  Christmas fairs and markets are a must-see during Christmas in Barcelona! Some of the most popular markets are Fira de Santa Llúcia, which is filled with beautiful displays and performances, and the Fira de Reis, where you can find a wide selection of goods, candies, and toys (mostly handcrafted).  Many other fairs and Christmas markets are scattered amongst the villages during this season. There’s also the Festival de la Infancia, a fair with activities specifically for children, such as storytelling, games, and crafts.  

Skating:  Another popular activity during Christmas in Barcelona is ice skating; Catalunya Square, an iconic plaza surrounded by monumental buildings, is transformed into a temporary ice rink during the winter seasons and attracts visitors of all ages.   

Lights: Barcelona is well-known for their light exhibits during the holiday season!  Almost 300 streets are adorned with dazzling light displays and every district of the city presents its own towering Christmas tree.

Special Events: The Harbour Swim (Copa Nadal) is a swim across Barcelona’s freezing harbour on Christmas morning.  This tradition dates back to 1907 and has been a sight for spectators to enjoy every year since!  The Three Kings’ Parade is another famous Barcelona Christmas tradition that always occurs on January 5th.  This three-hour procession begins at 6:00pm and follows a 5 kilometer route.  Various artists, such as musicians, dancers, and circus performers, all participate to create this beautiful and traditional festivity.

Celebrate The Tradition of the Barcelona Christmas Log: One of the most unique aspects of Christmas in Barcelona is the tradition of the Caga Tió (the Spanish Christmas poo). A log with a cartoon face is placed by the hearth, and the children of the household present food to the log in exchange for gifts that it poops-out.

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la mercè barcelona

Don’t Miss La Mercè Barcelona

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The end of summer in Catalonia is a time for celebration, which has been the tradition since La Mercè Barcelona began back in 1902. Known worldwide as the city’s largest street party, people travel from far and wide to partake in the five days of festivities designed to celebrate Catalan culture and the cooler days ahead. If you have yet to experience the events and energy at La Mercè Barcelona, perhaps this will be your year! Though the official dates have yet to be announced, you can be sure that it will take place around September 24th as it does every year.

La Mercè Barcelona History

Named for the patron saint of Barcelona, Mercè who, as legend has it, blessed the city on many occasions to protect it from wars and plagues, is the cause for celebration when the end of September rolls around each year. At the turn of the century, when pope Pius IX declared the Virgin of Mercy the patron saint of Barcelona, he had many festivities planned in her honor, which were held throughout the city. In 1902 those festivities were organized into an official festival, which has been celebrated each year since, much to the excitement of both Catalonians and the many visitors to our beautiful city.

Top La Mercè Events

  • Castellers – While waltzing down the street during La Mercè Barcelona you may stumble upon a human tower reaching stories above ground! Don’t be alarmed, the Castellers, as they’re called, are well trained performers who aim to show the Catalonia spirit of unity through this performance art. It is a tradition that has been around as long as the festival itself. Head to the Gothic Quarter during the festivities to Plaça de Sant Jaume and you’ll surely catch one of their memorable towers.
  • Correfoc – Known as the procession of the fire-breathing dragons, this event takes place along the Via Laietana as dusk sets in. The dragons, who do indeed breath fire in the form of fireworks and sparklers, are accompanied by scary looking devils and mythical monsters marching through the streets and give everyone a little frightful excitement. If you do plan on attending this wonderful spectacle be sure to wear clothing that you won’t mind being damaged by sparks, as well as glasses or a hat to protect your eyes.
  • Gigantes – Don’t miss this chance to see the Catalan monarchy of old march through the streets. No, not real royalty, but giant costumed performers who dance to the accompaniment of drummers and flutists.

 

 

If you have yet to experience the wonders of La Mercè Barcelona it is nothing short of a once in a lifetime experience. Not only will you get a taste for authentic Catalan culture with some of its rich history mixed in, but September is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Barcelona. The summer heat is subsiding, while that temperate Mediterranean fall sweeps in for a few months of paradise. This trip could really be a dream come true!

 

august in barcelona

August in Barcelona

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August in Barcelona is one of the busiest months of the year ensuring many exciting activities, beautifully warm Mediterranean weather, and visitors from around the world with whom to mingle. Between the beaches, festivals, and arts to enjoy, the end of the summer ends up being an ideal time to visit this Spanish city and take in the sites and culture, be it on a European family adventure, or the backpacking trip of a lifetime.

Though Catalonians have long been known to take month long vacations during the month of August, visitors can be sure to find most of the businesses open. About 10 percent of the shops and restaurants will be closed as various families head out of town during the warmest and busiest month of the year – a tradition that undoubtedly adds to the charming and hospitable nature of the city’s many family-owned businesses.

Here are some of the things to look forward to during August in Barcelona this year.

  1. Festa Major de Sants
    This little-known festival takes place throughout the Sants neighborhood, featuring unique cultural attractions that celebrate the history of the families who settled this neighborhood centuries ago.
  2. San Miguel Mas i Mas Festival
    This summer concert series takes place throughout the city at different venues, featuring many Latin musicians along with a mix of many other genres. Starting in July and continuing through early September, San Miguel Mas i Mas concerts make for a great evening out on the town.
  3. Gandules
    Throughout the month of August on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, a series of films are screened on the rooftop patio. This great space has both a restaurant and bar and the movie nights tend to fill up quickly so be sure to get there early for a seat.
  4. Circuit Festival
    The Circuit Festival is one of the largest LGBT gatherings in all of Europe. It offers 12 days of incredible parties and events throughout the city including a day at the water park, beach parties, documentary film festivals and tons of sporty fun like longboard outings and yoga sessions. Thousands of people from around the world come out for this wonderful celebration of LGBT culture!
  5. Festa Major de Gracia
    This neighborhood festival is one of the oldest in the city, with residents working year round to plan a fun festival in which locals and visitors alike come to appreciate age old Catalan culture. The main attraction are the streets and shops that get transformed by residents in a decorating competition that will shock you as you enter imaginary worlds like outer space and Jurassic Park. Be sure to check out Festa Major de Gracia in the evening to see these transformed worlds all lit up.

August in Barcelona is bound to be a great time, whether you’re looking for a relaxing time or a great party. While the end of the summer is typically a busy time for tourists, it  also ensures that there is plenty to do for all interests. If you’re considering a European vacation this summer, make it August in Barcelona!