| Festivals in Barcelona |
Festivals in Barcelona
When staying in Barcelona it seems like there are festivals every week and the Catalans are constantly celebrating. It can be said that Barcelona is one of the most traditional cities in Europe when it comes to celebrations. These festivals have religious and historical background and are interesting if you want to learn something about the culture of Catalan.
The 5th of January
The festival ‘The Procession of the Three Wise Men’ inaugurates the festivals of the year. On the 5th there is a cavalcade, on the 6th children and adults receive presents.
February
Carnestoltes (Carnival) was forbidden during the dictatorship but is celebrated again. On this day it is tradition to try to build human towers and there is a parade of ‘gegantes’ scary giants, ‘Capgrossos’ big heads and there are firework shows.
The 3rd of March
This day is the festivity of Sant Medir in the Gràcia with singing choirs, a procession and candy for the children.
The 23rd of April
This festival is called Día de Sant Jordi in honor of the patron saint of Cataluña and lovers buy each other gifts, traditionally do the women give the men a book and the men give the women a rose.
June
The Corpus Christi celebrations with the typical processions of "giants" and "cabezudos", and the "l´Ou com Balla" (the dancing egg) which takes place in the fountain in the Cathedral cloister.
The 24th of June
This day is the festival Día de Sant Joan a summer solstice celebrated both in private houses and in public places. In the squares and streets of Barcelona there is dancing and the typical "coca", as well as bonfires in some streets and squares, and fireworks.
End of June
Festival of el Grec, a festival at the end of June contains a series of theatrical performances, dancing, concerts and other cultural events. There are also many sports tournaments and competitions as well as several trade fairs at the Exhibition Centre. The festival takes place at the Greek Theatre in Montjuïc, in the open air, or in other places in the city.
The 15th of August
Feast of the Assumption, there are popular festivals held in the district of Gràcia.
The 11th of September
This is a national holiday in Catalonia. They hold various official and political ceremonies.
The 24th of September
Festivity of La Merce, the patron saint of Barcelona, there are typical dances such as "sardanas", parades through the streets, castellers (human towers), fireworks, the sardanas (typical dance)cultural and sport events and open-air dancing at various places in the city.
December
Santa Lucia, the typical crib fair begins in the vicinity of the Cathedral, and this goes on right up until Christmas. It is also the start of the opera season at El Liceu and the time for concerts at the Palace of Music (Palau de la Musica). These events continue for several months.
Christmas is traditionally celebrated at home with the family and with the newly-revived custom of "fer cagar el tio" (this consists of putting an object similar to a tree trunk into the fire from which presents then come out). Christmas dinner takes the form of "escudella" and turkey, "torrons" (a kind of nougat).
New year is celebrated in bars, restaurants, and in the street where people wear fancy dress just like in the carnivals. As the clock strikes twelve they eat the twelve grapes in time with each chime.
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