Barcelona events – The most important trade fairs in Barcelona

One of the most well-known Barcelona events has to be our trade fairs. If you have come here for one before, you’ll know why the Catalan capital is among Europe’s leading trade fair venues: the pleasant Mediterranean climate, plus being easily accessible from the rest of Europe, and many choices of big and small exhibition halls across the city are just a handful of the reasons. No wonder businesses from all economic sectors are attracted to exhibit here all year-round, including trade fairs related to gastronomy, fashion, and technology just to name a few. Keep reading for the most important Barcelona events related to trade fairs!

Most important Barcelona events – Trade Fairs

Mobile World Congress

Probably the most famous of all Barcelona events is the Mobile World Congress. All the biggest players in smartphones, computers, tablets and mobile devices come together for this highly anticipated event, hosted annually at Fira Barcelona. Heavyweights like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, Sony and more use the opportunity to debut flashy new products, and to showcase the latest technology trends. Some exciting new trends that dominated the recently held 2018 trade fair included 5G, mobile money, smart cities and artificial intelligence.

To be hosted on 25th – 28th February 2019

Mobile world congress
Mobile World Congress – Pic by Vicente Zambrano González

Comic Fair – Saló del Còmic – Barcelona International Comic Fair

Takes place in Barcelona since 1981 and is the festival which showcases all the most important new developments in the world of comics. If you visit it, make sure you wear a fancy dress, every year, the Barcelona Comic Salon awards the most original proposals.

To be hosted on 12 Apr 2018 – 15 Apr 2018.

Barcelona Events - Saló del Còmic

Alimentaria – Barcelona Trade Fair

With a reputation for producing some of Spain’s finest cuisine, it is only fitting that one of Europe’s most popular gastronomy and hospitality trade fairs be held here in Barcelona. Live cooking shows, seminars and discussions on food innovation, workshops, tastings, plus a dizzying variety of products: bottled, preserved, cured, fermented, dried, fresh… You name it, it’ll be somewhere in the massive acre-sized hall of Fira Barcelona. More than 140,000 visitors from 157 countries attended the last edition, joining some 4,000 exhibitors, which goes to show that Alimentaria one of the many Barcelona events that captures not just the Spanish eye, but that of the world.

To be hosted on 16th – 19th April 2018.

Barcelona events-Alimentaria

Hostelco – Barcelona Trade Fair

The International Restaurant and Hotel 2018 exhibition expects more than 41,520 visitors. The fair is being held alongside Alimentaria and is hosted every two years to bring new trends in hotel equipment.

Hostelco is a leading fair in technological innovation and international impact in the fields of manufacturing, import and distribution.

To be hosted on 16th – 19th April 2018. 

Barcelona events - Hostelco

B-Travel – Barcelona Trade Fair

This international fair is a travelers meeting point, where they can discover the latest developments about travel and tourism.

Its offer is presented around five big categories: B-Happy (experiences of well-being in company), B-Special (unique ideas), B-Culture (for fans of art, history and culture), B-Adventure (trips with sport, nature and adventure as protagonists) and B-Delicious (food and wine plans). 

To be hosted on 20th – 22nd April 2018.

Barcelona Events - B Travel

Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week – Barcelona Trade Fair

Every year in April, a flurry of bridal designers and models come from all over the world and descend upon Barcelona; and in tow with them are suitcases spilling open with dresses of white satin, lace, tulle, sequins, and everything bridal. During this Barcelona event, the industry’s hottest names host exclusive invitation-only catwalk shows, such as celebrity favorites Ángel Sanchez and Galia Lahav just to name a few. Hundreds of boutique and international brands exhibit their latest and most sparkly creations that will have you falling head over heels in love. With so much excitement and glamour, it’s impossible to deny that romance is in the air when this Barcelona trade show is happening.

To be hosted on 23rd – 29th April 2018.

Barcelona Events- Barcelona Bridal Week

Bizbarcelona

This trade fair is the best chance to meet roughly 14,000 visitors from SMEs and entrepreneurs seeking solutions for their transformation. The event is already a reference in the promotion of entrepreneurship and the competitiveness of SMEs. In this coming edition, digital transformation will be a highly anticipated hot topic.

To be hosted on 30 – 31 May 2018

Barcelona events - biz Barcelona

Salón Náutico de Barcelona – Barcelona Boat Show

Barcelona Boat Show brings the latest nautical and leisure products. Motor and sail boats, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, boats, trailers and sportswear share the exhibition space in one of the largest nautical fairs in Europe. More than 55,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors get together making it the largest of its kind in Spain. In its last edition it gathered 275 exhibitors, and also more than 700 boats were exhibited.

To be hosted on 10th – 14th October 2018

Barcelona Events- Barcelona Boat Show

To check the calendar of upcoming Barcelona events and trade fairs at Fira, click here. If you’re visiting Barcelona for an important trade fair soon and are looking for an executive-style apartment, be sure to check out bizFlats for short term and long term rental options. Or check out our comprehensive guide for things to do in Barcelona during your 1 day, 3 day or 5 day stay!

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023 – Things to do during your stay

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023 is happening once more! You’re back in town again for one of the world’s biggest technological conferences, which this year takes place 27th February to 2nd March at Fira Gran Via and Fira Monjuïc. There are new touristic attractions in town waiting for you to see, and also plenty of events and parties these days too. Check out this handy guide for things that you can’t miss!

Mobile world Congress 2018

New and old sights to visit during the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023

After a long day in a conference hall, there’s nothing better than to stretch those legs and get some fresh evening air. A visit to UNESO World Heritage site Casa Vicens is absolutely recommended; its doors were only just opened to the public for the first time in 130 years last winter.

Casa Vicens

Of course, if you didn’t get a chance to visit it yet, Gaudí’s Casa Batlló is stunning in the night, the myriad of coloured glittering lights almost bring the building to life. Sagrada Família after dark is also hauntingly beautiful, with the colossal structure illuminated as it looms over the rest of Barcelona. With Gaudí’s distinctive modernist style, as showcased in all three buildings above, it’s easy to see how he’s considered as one of Spain’s most renowned architects.

If you’re keen to take in more historical sights during your stay at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2018, check out our Barcelona in 5 days, 3 days and 1 day travel guide.

Mobile World Congress 2018 - welcome back to Barcelona

Music events during the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023

Watch an opera performance at the spectacular Gran Teatre de Liceu. With it’s magnificent high ceilings, plush red curtains and opulent gold detailing, it is only fitting that such a grand venue would play host to one of the greatest love stories of all time, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. Showing on the evening of Tuesday 27th February.

If you’re aching for some music that you can move your body to, American pop star Jason Derulo will be performing at Sant Jordi club on the night of Monday 26th February, his top 40 hits will have you tearing up the dance floor.

Barça vs Girona soccer match during the Mobile world congress Barcelona 2023

Arriving a few days early in Barcelona? You’re in luck; on Sunday 25th February watch FC Barcelona and Girona battle it out in one of the world’s most famous football stadiums – Camp Nou. There’s even a tour and museum that showcases memorabilia and trophies for those big football fans.

Camp nou

Where to eat after Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023

Tucked away on the famous Passeig de Gràcia, El Nacional is a feast for your taste buds and eyes alike, and the perfect casual dinner spot for after the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2018. Originally constructed in 1870 as a textile factory, the 8,500 square foot space has been transformed into an all-new gastronomic heaven with a Wes Anderson-esque retro flair. With four culinary areas and four specialised bars, there’s plenty to choose from, including tapas, cold cuts, cheeses, oysters, cocktails and more.

El Nacional - Best restaurants to eat in Barcelona

If you’re a fan Spain’s most loved rice dish, paella, check out our recommendations for Best Paellas in Barcelona. If you’ve got some important clients from Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2018 to host, there’s plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants that will wow your companions, check out our guides for Barcelona and Catalonia here.

Where to party after Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023

Whether it’s just to grab a post-conference drink, or if you want to party until 6am, Port Olimpic’s glitzy beach-front bars and clubs are always pumping, no matter what day of the week. You’ll find a cosmopolitan crowd dancing and drinking the night away at places like Opium, Carpe Diem, Shoko and Pacha.

Also recommended are Bling Bling and Luz de Gas in upper Diagonal area, these are places to see and be seen, put on your best threads and they’ll have you wrapping up the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2018 on an absolute high! Check out our Facebook page for the latest updates on which parties to go to, or check out this article on Barcelona nightlife.

Mobile World Congress 2018 will be a very busy time for Barcelona, we highly suggest booking accommodation in advance. Check out our short-term rentals here and book your apartment today.

La Mercè 2016 is Barcelona’s biggest festival

La Mercè, which celebrates the city’s patron saint (the Virgin of Mercy) from the 22nd to 25th of September, is Barcelona’s biggest festival and arguably one of the finest ways to experience Catalan culture. Legend states that a year after saving Barcelona from a plague of locust in 1687, the Virgin of Mercy was canonised and has been celebrated ever since. This spectacular festival, which officially first took place in 1902, marks the end of summer with a series of unmissable events at venues across the city. Here are just some of the festival’s highlights.

  • Opening and Closing Ceremonies of La Mercè

Get into La Mercè spirit at the opening ceremony held at Plaça Sant Jaume where visitors will be treated to a show with giants and monsters dancing on stage. The end of La Mercè is marked by the Piromusical grand finale by the Magic Fountain at the foot of Montjuïc. Piromusical: 25th September, 22:00, Reina Maria Cristina Avenue. 

piromusical- La mercè

  • Castellers

Plaça de Sant Jaume plays host to one of La Mercè’s most popular and impressive events, the Castellers (human towers) in which groups of Castellers compete to build the highest possible human tower, which is subsequently climbed by a child. 24th September 12:30

castellers-la-merce

  • Gegants

Els Gegants (giants parade) is another event ideally pitched for families and features huge effigies of Kings and Queens marching through the streets, often to the sounds of small percussion groups. 24th September 11:00, Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Gegants La Mecè

  • Sardana Dance and Ball de Bastons

No Catalan festival would be complete without Sardana dancing. This traditional dance reflects Catalan unity and pride and can be witnessed in front of the Cathedral on 22nd September at 19,00. Head to Plaça de Sant Jaume on 23rd and you can also witness the Ball de Bastons (stick dance). This folk dance, similar to Morris dancing found in England and Wales, is conducted in row formation with dancers carrying one or two sticks.

Sardanes La Mercè

  • Correfoc for adults and kids

In the evenings, the city is lit up with a famous projection show repeated at various intervals at Plaça de Sant Jaume. One of La Mercè’s most thrilling events is the Correfoc (fire runs). Certainly not for the feint-hearted, the Correfoc features community groups dressed as devils who run the streets of Barcelona with hand-held fireworks and  bangers, accompanied by fire-breathing dragons. If you plan on attending the ‘adult’ Correfoc, held after the more harmless junior event, protective clothing is advisable as some fireworks are hurled directly at the crowds! 25th September,Via Laietana, junior  event 18:30, adult event 20:30 

Correfoc La Merce

You can check the whole program of La Mercè 2016 where you will find hundreds of activities.

If you are planning to come to Barcelona during La Mercè and you are looking for an apartment in Barcelona, do not hesitate to check our website

Enjoy Barcelona!