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.

12-22 January

Shows

The famous Cirque du Soleil is coming back to Barcelona with Crystal, its first acrobatic performance on ice. The Canadian company is taking yet another step towards linking acrobatics and ice skating, with artists who challenge the laws of gravity as they perform acrobatic feats never seen before. 

27 - 29 January

Music

The Tenor Viñas Contest is celebrating its 60th 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.

31 January - 3 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. 

31 January - 2 February

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.

Until 19 March

Exhibitions

The Picasso Celebration 1973-2023, which is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the painter's death, kicks off in Barcelona with this exhibition organised in conjunction with the Paris Pompidou Centre. The art dealer and gallery owner Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler was a crucial figure in Picasso's career as an artist. The exhibition also examines Kahnweiler's relationship with Barcelona's Sala Gaspar, without which the Barcelona and Catalan public would have been unable to admire Picasso's work in Spain at the height of the Franco dictatorship.

3-5 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.

5 February

Sport

The Trial Indoor World Championship 2023 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.

6-8 February

Fairs 

The top Spanish wine fair will bring together the country’s best experts and wine producers. This year 700 wineries and 70 quality labels will be present. Besides the fair, “Barcelona Wine Week likes the city!” (1-8 February) invites you to experience the passion for wine culture with food and wine activities throughout the city. 

6-12 February

Festivals

Barcelona’s annual noir fiction gathering is a must for fans of this genre. Great writers such as Claudia Piñeiro, Leonardo Padura, Dominique Manotti and Yousseff El Maimouni will be taking part in the 18th BCNegra festival, which is set to fill the city once again with round tables, cinema, theatre and literary routes.

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!

16 February - 3 March

Music

Verdi’s profound admiration for Shakespeare’s play bore fruit in the form of this opera, which is coming to the Gran Teatre del Liceu with powerful stage setting by Jaume Plensa. This is one of the great shows you will be able to see this season in Barcelona.

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. 

21-26 February

Meetings and talks

The City and Science Biennial is one of the most important scientific culture events held in Barcelona. This is the third one and it will explore the concept of life with the participation of outstanding researchers and a very wide program of activities throughout the city.

Fairs

27 February - 2 March

The Mobile World Congress is the biggest and most influential event in the mobile technology and connectivity industry. Every year, the world’s most prestigious tech companies meet up in Barcelona to find out the latest innovations in 5G, 6G, immersive technology and fintech. The central theme of this year’s MWC is velocity.

Fairs

27 February - 2 March

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.

8-25 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.

9-19 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. 

19 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.

19-30 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. 

20-26 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.

23-25 March

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.

23 March-2 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.

25 March

Music

This event is set to be one of the first pre-Eurovision parties in Europe. A crowd-pulling live music event at Sant Jordi Club including Eurovision 2023 competitors as well as some big (even legendary) names from the past, such as Dami Im, Destiny and Rosa López. In addition, there will two pre-events to whet your appetite:  the Eurofans Club party (23 March) and Euro Queens Night (24 March).

31 March-2 April

Fairs

A new edition of an indisputable save the date event for comic and graphic novel fans. Anne Simon, Aude Picault, Zerocalcare, Sammy Harkham and Igort are just a few of the great international authors coming to this year’s event, which will include sneak peeks, competitions, exhibitions, cinema and video game sections, and as always, a great atmosphere! 

15–23 April

Sport

Created by Carlos Godó Valls, count of Godó, and held for the first time in 1953, this tournament is an iconic event for Barcelona. Grand Slam champions, Spanish tennis stars and many international greats have shaped the history of the competition. Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa Nadal are two of the players confirmed for the 2023 edition. 

19–23 April

Trade fairs

Designers and trendsetters, leading global brands and ateliers come together at this leading event for bridal fashion. Bridal Fashion Week will feature the latest from over 300 brands as well as creations by emerging designers and up-and-coming talent, alongside fashion shows from over thirty different designers.  And the icing on the cake will be Barcelona Bridal Night, an exclusive fashion show by a renowned guest designer. 

20–30 April 

Festivals

Barcelona is gearing up to be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026 with this experimental and visionary architecture festival that seeks to imagine new city models and reflect on how we want to live. Over the course of ten days, streets and public spaces will be transformed with temporary installations and augmented reality, together with symposiums, workshops, shows and experimental programmes. 

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.

25–27 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. 

27 April–27 August

Exhibitions

One of the major exhibitions of the year in Barcelona and the largest digital art exhibition ever seen in Spain, “Digital Impact”, the first exclusively digital show to be held in the city, will feature the works of internationally renowned digital artists such as Refik Anadol, Domestic Data Streamers, Universal Everything and Joëlle Snaith. 

28 and 30 April

Music

Bruce Springsteen will kick off his 2023 European tour in Barcelona. “The Boss” and the E Street Band will perform two nights at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc in what will be Springsteen's first live concert since his 2017 world tour. The Barcelona performance will be his only show in Spain.  Feel the emotion as you enjoy legendary hits live on stage. 

3 to 6 May

Meetings

The Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) is the setting for the annual conference and European Museum of the Year Awards 2023 (EMYA), the museum Oscars.  Organised by the European Museum Forum, the event brings together nearly 400 representatives of centres from across the continent.  Thirty nominations will be competing for the title of Museum of the Year, as well as other awards. 

17 May - 3 September

Exhibitions

Pixar films have made us laugh and made us cry.  Now we have the chance to discover the science and tech secrets behind the fantastic universe of this animation studio. The Museu de la Ciència - Cosmocaixa presents one of the exhibitions of the year in Barcelona, an interactive display about the complex creative processes that have made possible some of the most famous animated characters in history.

22 and 23 May

Music

Sir Elton John brings his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour to the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. One of the most popular and successful artists of all time, the British composer and singer will be looking back over his career, spanning more than fifty years and including some classic pop hits.

24, 25, 27 and 28 May

Music

Coldplay’s exciting live show will be in Barcelona for four nights. The band headed by Chris Martin will be playing at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium as part of their globally acclaimed tour Music of the Spheres.

24 to 28 May

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 - 4 June 

Music

Barcelona has become one of the best destinations for music festivals thanks to events such as this one. Rosalia, Kendrick Lamar, Blur, Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys are some of the big names in the upcoming edition, with over 200 performances, mostly outdoors. The festival draws crowds of people every year as they aim to see their favourite artists again or discover the latest from the music scene.

May-June

Festivals

Through L’Orgullosa, Barcelona shows how it is a global role model in the defence of LGBTI rights and freedoms and the fight against LGBTI-phobia. The month-long festival includes over a hundred activities (concerts, workshops, exhibitions, roundtables etc.), inviting people to stand up for and celebrate sexual and gender diversity. The programme concludes with a big musical gala to mark International LGBTI Pride Day.

Date 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.

June 2023 - October 2024

Sport

Barcelona is hosting the most important sailing competition in the world in 2024, with the 37th edition of the America’s Cup. The event is also the oldest on the sporting calendar.  All the teams in the competition will have a base in the city and will be training by June 2023, offering a chance to see their spectacular boats in action off the shores of Barcelona’s beaches.

7-9 June

Fairs and conferences

Europe’s most important international social housing congress will be holding its fourth edition in Barcelona, an emerging leader in housing innovation of interest to all. The ISHF is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 people from over twenty countries to discuss public housing policies and address the challenges which the sector faces. 

8 June

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.

8 June

Music

The only performance in the Spanish state by Beyoncé is this concert from the pop superstar at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. The artist with the most Grammys to her name will be offering the Renaissance World Tour, her first solo tour in six years.

8-11 June

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.

15-17 June

Music

Sónar is a unique and pioneering cultural event. The festival is an international benchmark of the highest order, thanks to a carefully chosen programme combining the avant-garde and experimentation with new trends in electronic dance music. The event marks its 30th anniversary this year with sounds from global club music, experimental performances, cutting-edge audiovisual shows and some of the most important DJs on the planet. 

21 June - 17 September

Exhibitions

The celebrations to mark fifty years since the death of Picasso continue with an exhibition at the Museu del Disseny, offering a chance to see the sixteen ceramics which the painter donated to the city. These are pieces inspired by the painter’s admiration for the Spanish ceramic tradition. 

27-28 June

Fairs and conferences

Barcelona’s vibrant agenda of congresses includes one of the key events in the transport sector in June. The event is the Airports Council International (ACI) EUROPE/WORLD Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition. This is the most important meeting for leading airports in the aviation sector, providing an opportunity to establish networks, broaden knowledge and discover the latest products and services. 

June-July

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. 

29 June- 6 July

Music

The Auditori becomes immersed in the music and the universe of the Salzburg composer with a new edition of the Festival Mozart Nits d’Estiu. The festival features the venue’s resident orchestra, the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia (OBC), who will be performing with the finest local and international Mozart performers on the current scene.

Music

5- 8 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.

12-15 July

Sport

Barceloneta beach, the Olympic Port and Port Vell are once again the most privileged spots from which to enjoy this summer’s competition for historical vessels.

The Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta is an international event on the official RFEV calendar for vintage boats, classic boats, big boats and modern classic boats, held since 2008 in the waters of Barcelona, a city with a long nautical tradition.

12 July - date to be confirmed

Music

As its name tells us, Bachcelona is Barcelona’s festival devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach. It offers various concerts and musical activities at some iconic Catalan capital venues, such as the Palau de la Música, the Sant Pau Modernista complex and La Pedrera. Reflecting its commitment to quality, every year the festival invites the most renowned international artists specialising in Bach. Bachcelona 2023 gets under way at the Auditori on 12 July, with a concert of cantatas from Masaaki Suzuki.

14-15 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.

28 June- 7 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.

Date to be confirmed

Festivals

Ubeat Live is the first major entertainment event for Barcelona’s Generation Z. This is event is unique in Europe, bringing together eSports competitions, content creators, freestyle, music, urban art and much more, all in one place.

2 June - 1 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.

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.

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.

26 - 27 August

Sport

Barcelona will be the official Stage 1 start for La Vuelta 2023. The cycling race will set off on Saturday 26 August in the Catalan capital with a time trial for teams, while the hilly Stage II will also end in Barcelona, at the gates to the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. A great occasion to experience the excitement live at one of the top cycling races in the world.

Dates to be confirmed

Football

If you love football, do not miss the chance to watch Barça play live. The Joan Gamper Trophy is an historic tournament where FC Barcelona will introduce the team for the 2023-2024 season to fans in a friendly match. For the last three years, the Trophy has also had a women’s category, offering you a golden opportunity to watch one of the best women’s teams in the world.

9–15 September

Sport

The eyes of the international sailing community will once again be on Barcelona as it hosts one of the world’s most prestigious regattas. Organised by the Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona and the Real Federación Española de Vela, the Double Handed Championship is made up of various competitions with distances ranging from 70 to 200 nautical miles. Over 100 vessels, grouped into three categories, are expected to participate. 

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. 

Around 24 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. 

28 September–1 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.

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.

5-8 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. This year, it will for the first time include the World Design Weeks Summit.

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.

21-22 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. 

26-29 October

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.

1-2 November

Music

Madonna returns to the stage to celebrate her 40-year career. The Celebration Tour is a unique opportunity to see the queen of pop in a live set which features her greatest hits and pays homage to New York, where she started her career in music. The two performances in Barcelona, on 1 and 2 November 2023, are the only dates in the Spanish state on her world tour.

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.

26 November

Sport

The Jean Bouin is the oldest athletics event in Barcelona and this year notches up one hundred editions. The event offers two circuits, a 5 km and a 10 km, taking in 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 Olympic Games in Stockholm.

28 November

Food and drink

Barcelona will host one of the world’s most prestigious and high-profile gastronomic events: the presentation gala for the Michelin Guide Spain 2024. Barcelona is the city with the most Michelin stars in Spain. It is home some of the world’s best chefs, along with a new generation of young chefs who have turned the city into a leading destination in gastronomic excellence, with a cuisine that fuses tradition, cosmopolitanism, innovation and creativity.

28-30 November

Fairs

Barcelona confirms its leadership as a destination for congresses and business by hosting the 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 2,100 Hosted Buyers (international companies responsible for organising events) and 2,000 exhibitors from over a hundred countries, as well as over 15,000 professionals from this sector.

Festivals

A city such as Barcelona, a pioneer in the field of technological and digital innovation, could not be without an event such as the MIRA Digital Arts Festival. In this internationally leading festival, live music meets the digital arts, with first-class audiovisual shows, 360º fulldome experiences, DJ sets and art installations. The aim is to introduce the public to different aspects of artistic creativity, share the latest trends and provide a showcase for world-famous artists.

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. 

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!

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.

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 2023 and see in 2024. 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.

Festivals

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.

14- 17 December

Sport

Barcelona is the international padel capital in December. The Palau Sant Jordi will once again be the venue for the World Padel Tour Master Final, where the world’s top-ranked players will be battling it out for the master’s titles. 

The 2023 season’s closing event will seek to repeat last year’s success, which saw the attendance record for a padel competition broken with more than 12,000 spectators, demonstrating that Barcelona is one of the cities in the world where padel arouses the most passion.

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.