Barcelona is internationally known as a fair and congress city. But above all, Barcelona is a city of festivals. The program can hardly be more colorful. You can visit many world famous festivals such as Primavera Sound Festival in May, Sònar in June or Grec Festival from June to August. There are also numerous smaller theater, film and jazz festivals. This page contains a list of the best festivals in Barcelona.
Sónar is a Spanish music festival that is held each summer in Barcelona. It takes place over the course of a weekend in June, and it is divided in two – Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night. Thousands of visitors and music fans from across Europe flood Barcelona. There are many concerts with DJs and electronic music that offer amazing audio-visual performances. Sónar was founded in Barcelona, in 1994 as the “Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art” by music journalist Ricard Robles and musicians and visual artists Enric Palau and Sergio Caballero.
La Mercè is a festival that honors the patron of Barcelona, the Virgin of Grace (Mare de Déu de la Mercè). There are parades, fireworks, traditional dance and music performances, the making of “human towers” during each day of the festival. Visitors may get familiar with most entertaining side of Barcelona’s citizens, given that the whole city becomes a part of the festival that lasts for a whole day. Free concerts and over 600 various events take place on many streets, squares, museums and parks. As it has been mentioned, all entertainment, as well as entrance to some of Barcelona’s museums. The festival is held each year in the period 22-25 September.
Saint George, the patron of Barcelona. Saint George is very important for Barcelona, as well as Valentine’s Day. On Saint George’s Day, women are given roses. The legend says that Saint George killed a dragon in Montblanc, and that from the blood that flowed from the lifeless body of the monster was born a red rose. As the custom says, roses are wrapped in cellophane along with a wheat stalk; it is all bind together with a band in the colours of Barcelona (red and yellow).
“Festival de la Infancia”, or the Children’s Festival, is held once a year, in December. It is a combination of workshops, sports, plays, music and charity work. It focuses on children’s creativity and further development of their talents. There children play football, basketball, they compete against each other, they try ice skating, wall climbing, etc. There are also cooking classes. Given that the world is left to the young, this is one of the most significant festival in Barcelona dedicated to children.
