5 January

Popular culture

Along with the La Mercè festivities, the Three Kings Parade is one of the most eagerly awaited and popular events on Barcelona's festive calendar. The entire city turns out for this large – and painstakingly planned – parade through the city centre streets, with a large retinue of pages, floats and choreographed pieces. It is a display of fantasy, colour and rhythm that attracts people of all ages. Pure Christmas magic created in Barcelona.

19 - 21 January

Music

The Tenor Viñas Contest is celebrating its 61th anniversary as one of the most prestigious singing contests in the world, an event that has brought to the public’s attention singers who are now well-known figures on the international lyric opera scene. The preliminary rounds of the contest, created in 1963 and organised by the Gran Teatre del Liceu, are held at some of the world’s leading opera houses, such as those of Paris, Beijing, Milan, London and New York, as well as at the Liceu itself. The most promising young lyric opera singers meet in this contest’s final round, which is open to the public.

30 January - 2 February

Fairs

Barcelona will become the global epicentre of the audiovisual sector with Integrated Systems Europe, the most important systems integration and audiovisual fairs in the world. It is the benchmark showcase of technologies and solutions in the audio, video and lighting fields and attracts the sector’s international community to the city. 

Until 25 February

Exhibitions

This is a unique joint project from the Barcelona Picasso Museum and the Joan Miró Foundation, and it can be seen at both institutions simultaneously.

The exhibition looks at the artistic affinities between Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso from different angles, against the backdrop of the friendship they shared for 50 years. The exhibition contains over 250 works from public and private collections all over the world, with the aim of showcasing, side by side, two artists who transformed 20th-century art, with their own unique voices and an unprecedented visual intensity.

Until 23 June

Exhibitions

As part of the centenary of Antoni Tàpies’ birth, this exhibition focuses on the artist's interest in the work of certain 18th and 19th century Japanese monks, such as Hakuin, Sengai, Jiun, Tōrei and Rengetsu, who disseminated the teachings of Zen Buddhism while developing a critical attitude and a willingness to break away from conventional values, including those concerning artistic practices.

The exhibition shows how Tàpies incorporated many of the attitudes, images and techniques used by these artists into his artistic language, and his own Western tradition. This was not a process of imitation, but rather the assimilation of a way of working, and a vision of the world that Japanese tradition has preserved in temples and gardens, poems and calligraphy, ceramics and paintings.

Until 7 April

Exhibitions

After visiting cities such as New York and Paris, this immersive exhibition has come to Barcelona. “Harry Potter™: The Exhibition” commemorates the iconic moments, characters, scenes and creatures from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ films, as well as the broader Wizarding World. Using the best design and immersive technology, the exhibition boasts a powerful narrative and interactive technology, along with original pieces and accessories. Try your hand at Quidditch, prepare a potion, replant a mandragora or earn some house points at Hogwarts.

Until 24 March

Shows

The return of Antonio Díaz, el mago pop, after his epic international adventure.
The highest-grossing illusionist in the world is back with the show that has left New York theatergoers speechless. With unprecedented illusions and games never seen before in a state-of-the-art staging.
After having succeeded in the world's capital of the theater, Antonio Díaz, El Mago Pop, dazzles the world through a production where he proposes a journey through the extraordinary full of fun, sensitivity, surprise, rhythm and emotion. A large-format show that has triumphed on the shining avenue of Broadway.

Last show in Teatre Victòria on March 24, 2024.

26-29 February

Fairs

Mobile World Congress is the biggest and most influential event in the mobile technology and connectivity industry. The key theme of the MWC 2024 will be ‘Future First’, which speaks to the urgency of bringing industries, continents, technologies and communities together to realise future potential. There will also be six sub-themes reflecting the latest trends and technologies. 5G and Beyond, Connecting Everything, Humanising AI, Manufacturing DX, Game Changers and Our Digital DNA.

Fairs

26 February - 29 February

4YFN, the congress for start-ups, returns to Barcelona as the global benchmark for the innovation ecosystem. A new opportunity to connect investors, creators and entrepreneurs from all over the world in a unique setting: at the heart of the Mobile World Congress.

2-4 February 

Festivals

Every February, the Poblenou neighbourhood lights up for three nights with installations, projections and mappings from the best creators on the international scene. Llum BCN is one of Europe’s major light arts festivals and a big public festive occasion.

4 February

Sport

The Trial Indoor World Championship 2024 is about to get under way in Barcelona. And it will be the first chance to see the best trial bike cyclists competing in one of the toughest and most difficult events on the calendar. Palau Sant Jordi will also be the setting for the third Barcelona Women’s Trophy, the only women’s indoor trial competition in the world.

5-7 February

Fairs

More than 850 wineries and 70 Designations of Origin will be exhibiting their best wines at a fair that highlights the quality of Spanish-produced wines to importers from around the world.  

The Barcelona Wine Week programme also features around 100 prestigious experts who will discuss the challenges the sector is facing and unveil the latest wines.

5-11 February

Festivals

Barcelona's annual crime fiction event is celebrating its 19th edition this year and will be focusing on the world of spies. The festival will bring together more than 150 participants and will be serving up a programme of around 80 activities, including roundtables, films, theatre and literary routes, once again making Barcelona the international capital of the noir genre. 

10-12 February

Popular culture

Known as Barcelona’s winter festival (festa major), this family-friendly celebration pays tribute to the city’s co-patron saint, St Eulàlia, with activities for everyone: street parades with giants, fire-runs (correfocs), human tower (casteller) performances, concerts and lots more. Don’t miss the Eagle’s Dance (Ball de l’Àliga) at Santa Maria del Mar!

19 February

Sport

The Half Marathon is much more than a sports competition. It is also a day of recreation which every year invites athletes from all over the world to enjoy running on a fast circuit surrounded by monuments around some of the city’s most emblematic streets. 

15-18 February

Shows

Disney on Ice returns to Barcelona in 2024 with a new tour, 100 Years of Excitement, a top artistic skating adventure with amazing acrobatics and tricks, to celebrate Disney's centenary. 

Children and adults will be able to enjoy the performances of their favourite characters, such as Mickey, Minnie, Moana, Coco, Aladdin, Frozen and the Disney princesses.

5-24 March

Music 

March is classical music month in Barcelona. The Spring Festival brings the best international performers to stages at the Liceu, Palau de la Música Catalana and Barcelona Auditori. In addition, Ciutat de Clàssica hosts concerts by talented young performers in museums, art galleries and emblematic buildings, such as Casa Batlló.

7-17 March

Food and drink

A culinary festival in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia. Top restaurants on this thoroughfare and the surrounding area will be offering tastings at affordable prices. From dish-specific itineraries to gourmet meals, culinary evenings with Michelin star chefs and workshops led by renowned cooks, come and enjoy haute cuisine in one of the city’s most iconic spots. 

10 March

Sport

The long-distance race bar none is one of Europe’s benchmark marathons. The Barcelona Zurich Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label event and attracts thousands of runners every year who consider its little over 26 miles as one of the most spectacular routes in the world. The magic of Barcelona and sport combined in a unique experience.

9-21 March

Music

Barcelona turns into the world piano capital for this prestigious competition aimed at promoting talented young performers from around the globe. The grand finale at the Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the most important piano events in the city. Moreover, public spaces are filled with pianos for everyone to enjoy and play throughout the event. 

18-24 March

Sport

This historical Catalan bike race is a top-flight event on the UCI World Tour and fought over seven stages between Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Barcelona, with an explosive final on the Montjuïc circuit.

16 March

Music

The British band will be playing at the Palau Sant Jordi on 16 March. Memento Mori has already become one of the band's biggest tours to date, with more than 150 concerts and more than two million tickets sold. They are presenting their acclaimed 15th album, which has the same name, throughout Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

18-21 March

Fairs

Alimentaria is the benchmark international meeting point for all professionals in the food, drinks and food service industry thanks to an offering based on the sector's key markets and consumer trends.

For the 2024 edition, the fair is increasing the options for taking part and strengthening its differential values: internationalisation, innovation, gastronomy and specialisation. Of the 3,200 exhibiting companies, 900 will be international, with Italian companies leading the way and the return of Asian companies, mainly from China and Hong Kong. A must-attend event that offers lots of business opportunities.

20 March - 4 May

Shows

Alegría is Cirque du Soleil's most iconic production, a classic that has been renewed to conquer the hearts of a new generation of audiences. Reinvented by a cast of 53 acrobats, clowns, musicians and singers, the show features an unbeatable soundtrack, exciting acrobatics, surreal costume designs, vibrant sets and playful humour that will make for an immersive and stimulating experience.

13–21 April

Sports

Created by Carlos Godó Valls, count of Godó, and held for the first time in 1953, this tournament is an iconic event for the city of Barcelona. Grand slam champions, some of Spain's best players ever and a long list of top-ranked players in the world have written this competition’s history. Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz, currently world No. 2, has confirmed his participation in the 2024 championship, where he’ll be defending the title he won last year in a historic final against Stefanos Tsitsipas. 

17–21 April

Fairs

Design and trendmaking professionals, major global brands and ateliers will be coming together at this leading bridal fashion event. Under the slogan ‘Now’, this year’s edition of Bridal Fashion Week will feature more than 350 brands, most of them international, along with runway shows of around 30 designers. And the icing on the cake will be Barcelona Bridal Night, an exclusive runway show featuring the renowned designer Giambatista Valli.

23 April

Traditions / Culture

Every 23 April, thousands of people go for a stroll through Barcelona and enjoy one of the most special, intense and beautiful days of the year. Sant Jordi’s Day, declared World Book Day by UNESCO, fills the streets with books and roses, which are traditionally given as gifts to loved ones. Few celebrations bring the people of Barcelona together as much as this day. A cultural event not to be missed.

23–25 April

Trade fairs

The world´s largest trade fair for the fish and seafood industry has chosen Barcelona as its home. Buyers, suppliers and other professionals from the distribution and sales chain in over 160 countries will come together at this global event to discover the industry’s latest innovations and products. 

4 - 6 April

Festivals

Disseny Hub Barcelona is once again the venue for OFFF Barcelona - the benchmark creativity, design and digital culture festival. International professionals, influencers and innovators will share what is happening right now in the creative industries, including conferences, performances, interactive installations and exhibitions.

4-14 April

Festivals

Discover the best contemporary, international independent and arthouse cinema at the D’A! The main attractions at this top Barcelona cinema event include award-winning films, world premières and Q&As with directors.

6 April

Music

This will be the first of the Eurovision Festival pre-parties to be held in Europe. It will be a spectacular live music show at the Sant Jordi Club, featuring some of the Eurovision 2024 acts, as well as Eurovision legends. Two warm-up events will be held in advance: the Eurofans Club party (4 April at Sala Safari) and ESC Young and Euro Justice (5 April at La Terrazza).

9–12 April

Trade fairs

This fashion platform is celebrating its 33rd edition at one of Barcelona’s iconic venues, the Sant Pau Modernista Complex. It promotes the transformation of the fashion sector in Catalonia, at both a national and international level, through innovation and creativity.

080 Barcelona Fashion is also a driving force for change and raising awareness about various social values, such as sustainability, circularity and diversity in the fashion industry. The platform offers a space for conversation and reflection, enabling creators and the industry to explore new forms of expression, consumption and interaction.

10–12 April

Congresses

Three years after the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona will bring together the Ocean Decade community and partners to celebrate achievements and set joint priorities for the future of the Decade.

With the sub-title of “delivering the science we need for the ocean we want”, the Conference will be firmly anchored in the precepts of the Ocean Decade related to solutions-oriented, transformative ocean science, and highlight the role of the Decade as a framework to galvanise diverse groups in inclusive and equitable co-design and co-delivery processes.

28 April

Traditional culture

This 2024 is a key year for Barcelona’s giant enthusiasts: they are celebrating the 600th anniversary of the first written reference to a municipal gegant, or giant figure. The National Meeting of Giants is being held on Sunday, 28 April to celebrate this milestone.

Over one hundred groups of giant carriers will be taking part. There will be four processions, starting from four iconic locations in Barcelona (Parc de la Ciutadella, the Rafael de Casanova monument, the Born and Estació del Nord), all coming together at the Arc de Triomf on the Passeig de Lluís Companys. The event will be rounded off with a ceremonial dance by the Agrupació’s Giants and the City Giants, as well as a final dance featuring all of the groups taking part.

Music

30 April – 1 May

Recognised throughout the world as one of the greatest icons of Italian music, Andrea Bocelli has sold over 90 million records. The artist has beaten all the music industry’s records and has had countless successes, including his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The tenor will be offering two concerts at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona during his 2024 visit. These will be exclusive events, featuring a unique repertoire and staging, as well as the participation of special guests.

Dates to be confirmed

Open days

Barcelona is one of the 120 European cities taking part in Museum Night, an event linked to International Museum Day (18 May). Museums and heritage sites will be opening until the early hours for a night of culture where visitors can enjoy collections and exhibitions, as well as guided tours, family workshops, concerts and recitals.

29 May to 2 June

Sport

New edition of the prestigious international regatta, once again bringing the excitement of top-class sailing to the city’s beaches. The world’s finest sailing crews will be taking part in the competition, organised by the Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona since 1974. 

29 May - 2 June 

Music

Barcelona has become one of the top destinations for music festivals thanks to events like Primavera Sound. Pulp, Vampire Weekend, Justice, Lana del Rey, Sza and PJ Harvey are just some of the big names on a line-up featuring more than 400 artists.

The festival includes an opening event (29 May) with free admission, featuring Phoenix as the headline act, and a closing event (2 June) with performances from ANOTR, The Blessed Madonna, Chloé Caillet and Mochakk, among others.

May-June

Festivals

Barcelona’s getting into party and protest mode to celebrate 28 June, International LGBT + Pride Day. Sexual and gender diversity will be celebrated throughout the city for a month and a half, in close to a hundred events and activities (concerts, performing arts, workshops, exhibitions, family activities, talks and so on). 
 

21 - 23 May

Fairs

This is another of the major tech events on Barcelona’s calendar. The IOT Solutions World Congress is the leading international event devoted to the transformation of the sector via disruptive technologies. The fair will bring together 250 first-class experts and specialised talks, along with an exhibition zone where more than 300 companies from all over the world will display the latest IOT, AI and DT trends, products and applications.

3-5 March

Fairs

New edition of the unmissable event for fans of comics and graphic novels. Major international authors will be visiting the 42nd edition of the fair. Over the course of three days, it will feature competitions, themed exhibitions, talks, signing events, film and videogame sections, but most importantly a great atmosphere. 

31 May to 6 October

Food and drink

 “Dinner with the Stars” combines scientific outreach and star gazing with truly tempting cuisine. Dine in the open at one of the best vantage points in Barcelona and gaze upon faraway constellations, stars and much of the solar system with one of the largest and oldest telescopes in Europe.

24-26 March

Sports

The main ingredients of MotoGP™, the pinnacle of world motorcycling, include the best motorcycle manufacturers, the best riders in the world and a competition format that is more and more exciting every year.

Last season's world championship introduced a much more intense format, with a sprint race on Saturday, as well as the normal one on Sunday, with a lot more points in play and many more riders in the running for the title. After a year marked by the Bagnaia-Martín duel, the 2024 season presents interesting changes, such as Marc Márquez joining the Gresini (Ducati) team after leaving Honda, with his brother Álex Márquez as teammate.

25 May

Music

With their world tour The Tour: Five Albums. One Night, Every night, Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas perform 5 albums full of hits from their catalogue, touring 86 cities around the world, including Paris, Milan, London, Dublin, Sydney, Auckland, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Barcelona. The band is performing at the emblematic Palau Sant Jordi for their only concert in Spain.

21-23 March

Trade fairs

The Fira de Barcelona's emblematic building fair is back in 2024, with the aim of establishing itself as the sector's leading trade fair in Spain. It expects to increase its exhibition area by 50% and attract 300 exhibitors to the Gran Via venue.

The complementary fair includes a programme of activities for sector professionals:  the Sustainable Building Congress addresses sustainability as a vector for innovation in the sector and, in 80 sessions and talks, it presents real projects that showcase materials, construction systems and technologies designed for responsible construction.

30 May

Popular culture

The Dancing Egg is a Barcelona tradition linked to the festivity of Corpus Christi. It consists of making a whole empty eggshell “dance” on top of the jet of water in the fountains found in the cloisters and gardens of unique and historical buildings: the Cathedral, the Museu Frederic Marès, the Casa de l’Ardiaca, the Ateneu Barcelonés and more. The fountains are decorated with fruit and flowers, filling the air with the fragrance and texture of spring. This is a festivity that invites us to take to the streets and discover the city's most beautiful corners.

13-15 June

Music

Sónar is a unique and pioneering cultural event that makes Barcelona the world capital of music, creativity and technology over the course of a week. Leading the line-up of the 31st edition are big names like Charlotte de Witte, Kaytranada, Ben Böhmer live, Jessie Ware, Vince Staples, Floating Points and Folamour A/V, among others. Running in parallel is Sónar+D, the international art, science and digital culture event, which will be exploring how creativity changes the present and imagines new futures, with a programme of talks, masterclasses and tech shows. 

13 June

Music

Aged 55, the salsa artist who has sold more albums around the world is constantly performing and winning awards. After the success of his last tour, Viviendo Tour, Marc Anthony has announced a new musical project. His new tour, Historia Tour, will be visiting five Spanish cities, including Barcelona. 

20 and 22 June

Music

Bruce Springsteen is back in Barcelona in 2024. The Lluís Companys Stadium is once again the chosen venue for two concerts by the American musician, accompanied by the E Street Band, as part of another world tour that also takes in Madrid. 

His 2023 European tour sold over 1.6 million tickets and received great praise as one of the best shows ever in his career.

21-23 June

Sports

The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is hosting the 10th Grand Prix in the Formula 1 Championship, out of a total of 24. Some of the best drivers in the world will be competing, including multiple championship winners such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, while the Circuit will also be offering multiple off-track activities for people of all ages and tastes. Another GP full of thrills, surprises and a lot of entertainment.

23 June

Festivals

The night of 23 June is the “Revetlla de Sant Joan”, a magical night celebrating the summer solstice, and one of the most traditional popular festivals held in Catalonia.

In Barcelona there isn’t just one, city-wide celebration, instead all the neighbourhoods have their own bonfires and “St John’s Eve” parties at the same time. It all starts when the Canigó Flame arrives in Plaça de Sant Jaume, and then taken by runners all over the city to light the neighbourhood bonfires, which herald the start of the festivities with communal meals, firework displays featuring devils, beasts, dances, bangers and, without fail, traditional Sant Joan cake.

June and July

Music

Sheryl Crow, Glen Hansard, Alice Cooper, Take That, Jamie Cullum and James Blunt are just some of the artists performing at this year's Alma, the festival where you can relax, dance and enjoy great live music during Barcelona's summer nights, all at the city's legendary venue, Poble Espanyol. Before the concert, take a stroll around the Village and enjoy a concert by an up-and-coming artist, as well as the food area.

26 June- 4 August

Festivals

The history and programme of the international festival for theatre, music, dance and circus make this one of the most iconic events on Barcelona’s cultural panorama. With over 45 editions under its belt, the Grec backs exceptional artistic projects and offers a showcase for the finest local creations and the most innovative projects from stages all over the world. 

18-21 july

Festivals

The grand festive occasion standing up for LGBTI rights and freedoms is one of the most popular in Europe, attracting thousands of people every year. Packed concerts, lectures, talks, films, exhibitions and a big demonstration all form part of an extensive programme of activities to give a voice to sexual and gender diversity, make it more visible and celebrate it.

Music

10 - 13 July

The Cruïlla is being held at Parc del Fòrum, an unbeatable outdoor setting facing the sea and an essential event for lovers of alternative and indie music. This year’s line-up includes name such as Franz Ferdinand, Viva Suecia, Sidonie, Carolina Duarte, Placebo and Leiva. In addition to music, there are also various performances and comedy shows. All this, geared towards dance, having a good time and enjoying an unrepeatable experience.

Dates TBA

Music

As its name tells us, Bachcelona is Barcelona’s festival devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach. The competition features concerts and a variety of musical activities in iconic venues across Barcelona, such as the Palau de la Música, the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau and La Pedrera. Reflecting its commitment to quality, every year the festival invites the most renowned international artists specialising in Bach. Bachcelona 2024 gets underway on 8 July at L’Auditori, with the cantata BWV 93 Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten (‘Whoever lets our beloved God rule’)

5 - 14 July

Music

This festival has been held in Barcelona since 2005 and features lyrical singers from all over the world. It preserves and internationally promotes the repertoire of Latin American and Iberian artistic song in Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese and indigenous languages, along with its composers and performers.  The event consists of a course in the history and interpretation of the vocal repertoire of a cycle of concerts with top-class international artists.

17 July 2024 - 12 January 2025

As part of the centenary celebrations for Antoni Tàpies’s birth, the exhibition will be showing a wide-ranging selection of his works from national and international museums and private collections, covering the artist's extensive career from 1943 to 2011.

Conceived as a retrospective, the exhibition will offer the public an opportunity to revisit his indecipherable career.

5 - 24 July

Music

This festival turns the emblematic Palau de Pedralbes Gardens into a unique constellation of musical and cultural experiences. This year, it is the turn of national and international artists such as the Patti Smith Quartet, Luz Casal, Mika, Diana Krall, Simple Minds and Passenger.

Date to be confirmed

Film

The summer brings us another edition of the Sala Montjuïc open-air film festival, with a selection of the season's most outstanding films, the most recent releases and the award winners, as well as essential cult and classic films, accompanied by concerts and picnics under the stars. All the films are in the original version with subtitles.

22 August - 27 October

Sports

From August to October, Barcelona is hosting the 37th America's Cup, one of the most popular sporting events in the world. The event will be held along the city’s coast, and members of the public will be able to follow the action for free from the Race Village at the Moll de la Fusta wharf, from various fan zones with giant screens in Port Vell and the Port Olímpic, and also from the beach.
In Barcelona, for the first time in the competition’s 175 years of history, there will be a special category for women, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.

6 July - 10 August

Film

An event to enjoy good films in the outdoors on summer nights. The programme features quality films that have been screened at renowned film festivals, and these are shown in original version with subtitles in Spanish. Each session also starts with a short film. The completely free event is held on Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona.

27 July - 2 September 

Music

The Mas i Mas is already a classic on Barcelona’s summer culture slate. The festival has provided entertainment on August nights for the last twenty years, offering a wide, fun, varied and quality live music schedule across different venues, such as Jamboree, Tarantos and Moog. A festival for jazz, flamenco, urban, soul, funk, blues, hip-hop, R&B or swing music lovers.

5 - 13 August 

Festivals

Circuit is one of the largest LGBTI leisure festivals in Europe, running over nine fun-packed days on the beach with pool parties, terraces and night-time events. The event offers good music, a place to make friends from around the globe and meet new people, celebrate diversity and discover Barcelona – a city with non-stop culture and leisure attractions.

Dates to be confirmed

Football

If you're a football fan, this is a chance for you to watch Barça play live. The Joan Gamper Trophy is a historic tournament, where FC Barcelona will be launching the 2024-2025 season squad to fans in a friendly match. For the past three years, this trophy has also had a women’s category, offering a spectators the chance to enjoy one of the best women's teams in the world.

15 - 21 August

Popular culture

If visiting the city in August, make sure you head over to Gràcia. The neighbourhood hosts one of Barcelona’s most important summer festivals in mid-August. It is famous for its distinctive best decorated street competition that the locals spend the whole year preparing for. Walk around decorated streets that have transformed into small fantasy worlds with a wide variety of themes.

August to October

Sports

Barcelona is hosting one of world’s major sports events from August through to the end of October. The preliminary regatta will be taking place from 22 to 25 August, in the lead-up to the battle for the trophy. The Louis Vuitton Cup starts on 29 August, consisting of a round-robin stage (league system), semi-finals and a final that will determine which team will challenge the Emirates Team New Zealand as they defend their title. 
In addition, the Youth America’s Cup will be held from 17 to 26 September.

14–17 September

Fairs

Barcelona’s art season kicks off with this event for art lovers, collectors and professionals. This weekend, the city´s top galleries will be hosting exhibitions by national and international artists, together with presentations, performances, conversations, gatherings and guided tours. It’s a can’t-miss event for anyone interested in learning about the latest trends in contemporary art. 

22 - 25 September

Popular culture

Barcelona is La Mercè and La Mercè is Barcelona. If you want to truly experience the city’s essence, this is one of the best times to visit. Barcelona will be abuzz with its festa major, or main annual festival, one of the events Barcelona residents look forward to all year. Streets, parks and public spaces will be filled with street art shows, concerts featuring all kinds of music, gegants [giant figures], castellers [human tower builders], devil figures and fire creatures. The celebration culminates with a spectacular musical fireworks display that attracts thousands of people every year. 

30 September

Sport

The Copa del Món UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator is a race in which adrenaline, explosiveness and technical prowess stand out. The Eliminator is a cross country race where four riders compete in unison along a short course with many obstacles. The world's best mountain bike riders meet in Barcelona to vie for the jersey by which they will be recognised as a champion on a world scale.

Date to be confirmed

Sport

The Fòrum Park will host one of the largest urban sports events in Europe. Fans of extreme sports and action sports won't want to miss the scooter, skate, BMX and breakdancing competitions, which will feature international stars in these disciplines. 

Date to be confirmed

Food and drink

Great food, music and the unbeatable setting of the Born are at the heart of this street food fair. The best restaurants and chefs in the area will prepare dishes with seasonal products in front of the public, who can then enjoy a taste of their creations.

8 September - 24 November

Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial, is an itinerant European contemporary culture biennial and one of the most prestigious international art projects. It rethinks the relationship between culture, art and society, investigating and providing a catalyst for social and ecological changes in Europe while maintaining a dialogue with local communities and international cultural creators alike. Barcelona and ten other cities in the metropolitan area will be hosting Manifesta 15 in 2024, with an extensive cross-cutting cultural programme.

25–27 September

Trade fairs

This is the leading international event for defining the future strategy of Europe’s property market and a place to discover projects to invest in according to environmental, social, and governmental criteria. This three-day congress brings together specialists in property assets to gauge the market and anticipate the major trends for the different classes of assets and their performance.

Sports

After two months of regattas, the 37th America’s Cup reaches its conclusion. The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match pits the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series against the defending holders of the America’s Cup, the Emirates Team New Zealand. The winner will be the team that takes seven of the thirteen regattas.

In parallel, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup will be held from 5 to 13 October.

Sports

The ceremony for the Luis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match will be a spectacular show, combining musical performances, a drone display and lighting effects. The highlight will be a temporary lighthouse constructed on a platform in front of the Mar Bella groyne, lighting up the Sagrada Família. Members of the public will be able to watch the display from the beach, where there will also be giant screens.

3-6 October

Fairs

Swab is Barcelona's contemporary art fair. It is an independent project created 15 years ago as an experimentation platform for emerging artists. Priority is given to the quality of the artistic programme and the project's proximity to the public. Around eighty art galleries from all over the world take part in the event, which was founded by the architect and collector Joaquín Díez-Cascón.

11-15 October

Fairs

The Barcelona International Boat Show is the city's annual sports and recreational sailing event. This year's edition, its 61st, will focus on the 2024 America's Sailing Cup. The show will bring an extensive exhibition of vessels to Port Vell, including sailing boats, yachts and catamarans. In addition, this year the Moll de la Fusta will host the Innovation Dock, where fifteen start-ups will showcase their most transformative projects in the field of digitalisation and environmentally friendly sailing, including electric, hybrid and hydrogen vessels.

Dates to be confirmed

Festivals

The Barcelona Design Week (BDW), the city's annual design, creativity and innovation event, is one of the world's leading events in its field. The festival, which seeks to introduce the public to the world of design, will cover areas such as social design, creativity, impact and digitalisation in an expansive programme of exhibitions, conferences, workshops and a variety of spaces open to all.

Dates to be confirmed

Food and drink

Barcelona is a market city, and Mercat de Mercats is the markets' grand celebration. This gastronomic fair focuses on high-quality, local and sustainable food and takes place in Plaça de les Glòries, where you can taste tapas prepared by some of the best local chefs, buy fresh food from the markets' suppliers and even cook it yourself right there in the barbecue area. There will also be chats, talks and show cooking by professional cooks.

26-27 October

Festivals

48h Open House is one of Barcelona's main architecture events. A full weekend of free guided tours in which over 250 buildings of all types, shapes and sizes in the city of Barcelona and its surrounding areas will throw open their doors to visitors. The festival is a perfect opportunity to enjoy experiences related to Barcelona's heritage, from Roman ruins to today's city, including buildings that are examples of Catalan Gothic, Neoclassicism, Catalan Modernisme and the Modern movement. 

Dates to be confirmed

Festivals

Art Photo Bcn, both a fair and a festival, showcases the work of new creative talents in contemporary photography and supports exhibition venues, galleries and all those who work to bring photography to the public.

3 - 6 October

Sport

The leading jockeys on the international equestrian scene will come together for the 111th International Jumping Competition and the Longines Nations Cup final, the most important equestrian competition of the year. Over the course of four days, the Barcelona Royal Polo Club will host a total of ten competitions in a world-class show.

27 October

Sports

The Challenge Barcelona Triathlon promises to exceed expectations and offer a unique experience for athletes of all levels. One of the main new aspects to this year’s event comes in the form of 80 places for amateur athletes in the short distance, who will have to meet two basic requisites: to be federated triathletes and to accept and meet all the cut-off times and established rules for this distance. The other categories are: Olympic, sprint, junior challenge and aquathlon.

Date to be confirmed

Day events 

The Biennial of Thought is held in public spaces, turning Barcelona into a forum for public debate. The event includes a series of free activities to discuss ,major topics for the society of today and tomorrow, such as the health of democracy, the impact of technology on our lives and how city design should respond to a range of current and future challenges.

Date to be confirmed

Day events

This is the leading annual gathering for Barcelona's ecosystem of international talent, the main welcoming and networking space foreign professionals living and working in our city. 

BICD offers information and practical sessions, workshops, networking activities, music and performances in other disciplines, children's activities and more. There's also a fair with companies and organisations offering products, services and other initiatives for the international community.

7-9 November

Fairs

The first international summit on cities and smart urban solutions brings together leading figures from companies, governments and the most innovative organisations from over 400 cities around the planet. The congress offers a three-day programme with renowned experts to share ideas and discover the best practices for a more sustainable world, plus an exhibition zone where hundreds of businesses and organisations will be showcasing their avant-garde projects and smart solutions.

7-9 November

Fairs

This international event on smart and sustainable urban mobility is held every year in Barcelona in parallel to the Smart City Expo World Congress. The congress explores mobility projects and initiatives for the future, with national and international experts and businesses, organisations and research centres looking to strengthen their capacities, increase collaboration and share solutions to speed up the transition to sustainable mobility.

17 November

Sports

The Jean Bouin is the longest-running athletics race held in Barcelona and this year it celebrates in 101st edition. The race consists of a 5k and a 10k course which go through some of Barcelona's most iconic streets. The Jean Bouin is named after the French long-distance runner who broke several world records at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

19–21 November

Fairs

Barcelona is confirming its leadership as a destination for congresses and business by hosting IBTM World, the jewel in the crown in this sector. This is the most important global fair for tourism linked to meetings, incentives, conferences, events and the business travel industry (MICE). The last edition brought together around 2,650 hosted buyers (international companies in charge of organising events) and 2,500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, along with 12,000 professionals from the sector.

Dates to be confirmed

Festivals

This November, Barcelona, a UNESCO City of Literature, will be the capital of non-realistic literature. Festival 42 provides a meeting point for creators, readers, publishers and disseminators of fantasy genres, an unmissable event that boosts connections ranging from mythology to science fiction and from YA fantasy to the most unsettling horror, featuring domestic and international authors and the latest releases. 

Dates to be confirmed

Shows 

Every year, Barcelona sees in the Christmas season by switching on the Christmas lights throughout the city. It is something unique to behold, full of imagination and excitement, and specially designed to kick-start the most magical time of the year. All the Christmas lights in the city are officially switched on right after the end of the show, lighting hundreds of streets and squares and filling them with a festive atmosphere and the Christmas spirit. If you come to Barcelona during the holiday season, let yourself be dazzled by the decorations in the city's most iconic places. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Date to be confirmed

Day events

A week of informative sessions about the relationship between people, technology and cities. The aim is to reflect on how we live, and how we’d like to live, in the city, exploring urban-innovation initiatives and engaging in activities such as workshops, walks, guided tours and fun activities for all the family.

15 - 17 November

Fairs and conferences

Arts Libris has become firmly established as one of the most important international artist's book fairs in the world. The fair breaks away from the traditional Anglo-Saxon model adopted by most fairs in this sphere, casting its gaze instead towards southern Europe and Latin America. The fair features around a hundred publishers and an ambitious range of cultural activities, including talks, debates and workshops around artist publications, contemporary bibliographies and photobooks.

Festivities

During the month of December, Barcelona is transformed to celebrate one of the most magical festivals of the year. The city is all dressed up, its illuminated streets brimming with activities to suit all tastes. You’ll find the iconic Santa Llúcia and Sagrada Família fairs, shows, concerts and festivals for all the family, such as those in Plaça Catalunya and Plaça de la Universitat, along with traditional nativity scenes like the one at the Museu Frederic Marès and innovative alternatives such as the one in Plaça Sant Jaume. Experiencing Christmas in Barcelona is a true gift.

18- 22 December

Sports

Barcelona becomes the international padel capital in December. The Palau Sant Jordi will be hosting the first edition of the Premier Padel Tour Finals, where the eight top pairs in the world ranking will be competing to win the last trophy of the 2024 Premier Padel circuit season.

31 December

Sport

Every year, Barcelona closes out the sports year on 31 December with a highly original and festive run which has become a true Christmas tradition in the city. The Nose Race is a 10 km event open to all which attracts large numbers of runners in a circuit around the streets of Barcelona. The event is complemented with a 5 km event, the International Nose Race 5K, exclusively for 50 professional runners and considered by many as the best race in the world over this distance. 

31 December

Festivities

Barcelona sees out the year with the most spectacular countdown from Montjuïc’s emblematic Magic Fountain. Music, fireworks, a monumental set and the most spectacular tech innovation are set to make Av. Reina Maria Cristina a really special place to bid farewell to 2024 and see in 2025. This is a show to amaze anybody wishing to celebrate a New Year’s Eve packed with magic and emotions and in the best of company.

Fairs

Barcelona confirms its place as one of the grand design capitals with events such as this one. Design Market Barcelona is the market for independent designers, organised every Christmas at the Disseny Hub Barcelona by the association Fostering Arts and Design (FAD). Featuring over a hundred exhibitors, it offers a chance to find the best products and creations in fashion and accessories, household items, contemporary jewellery, crafts products, furniture, illustrations, games, food products and lots more. Lovers of great design will be able to find the perfect gift here.

5-8 December

Japanese culture and Barcelona combine for Manga Barcelona, the stellar event for manga and anime lovers which is held at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. The fair offers the latest developments and trends in this sector, specialised publishing companies and booksellers, with a chance to enjoy roundtable discussions, talks, meetings with authors, competitions and all sorts of activities, including the most international of cosplay competitions, the World Cosplay Summit.

Routes

The Barcelona Christmas Tour is a unique experience enabling you to really feel the magic of Christmas. This panoramic bus tour takes you on an evening trip around the city’s grandest streets and avenues and its most iconic buildings, such as Passeig de Gràcia, the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral and the Arc de Triomf, all specially decorated and lit up for the festive season. The tour follows a route full of colour where the authentic Christmas ambience will rub off on you and you’ll discover the traditions and secrets surrounding Christmas in Barcelona, explained by tourist guides on board the bus.

Shows 

As Christmas draws near, the Sant Pau Modernista Complex becomes a space full of fantasy, joy and colour, delighting young and old. Els llums de Sant Pau is a light show like never before, a fully immersive experience in an extraordinary setting, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. An essential event for enjoying the magic of Christmas with the family.