Here are just some of the many events happening in Barcelona and Catalonia. We will update the list regularly, so you can plan a few months ahead. Will will of course be visiting a few of them ourselves, so check out the blog for new posts. As always we are happy to help any visitor to our region, so please feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] or use the comment box below.
JANUARY 2013
5th - Three Kings Parade: The celebrations will start at 16.30 at Maremagnum. The Kings will arrive aboard the schooner Santa Eulalia at 17.00 and be greeted by the crowd, noted dignitaries and the Mayor. The parade starts by the zoo and travels upto Placa Catalunya and onto Placa Espanya. Fabulous for the kids, but great fun for adults too! Not to be missed.
11th to 27th - World Handball Championships 2013: A massively popular sport across Europe and a huge success at the London Olympics last year, Handball’s World Championships are in Spain this month. You can catch top class action in Granollers and one of the semi-finals will be in Barcelona itself. If you like your sport fast and furious, then grab a ticket!
FEBRUARY 2013
10th - International Indoor Trial: If you like motorbikes, danger and watching, then haul your cookies down to the Palau de Sant Jordi. The best of the best (quite a few are Catalan) will be negotiating extreme obstacles to try and gain points for the World Championship. In a cross between chess, ballet and trial-biking, these extremely talented riders make driving uphill, jumping large gaps and turning on a six-pence, look like child’s play!
Web-Page
25th to 28th - World Mobile Congress: One of the top tech events of the year. Barcelona becomes the centre of world attention at the end of February each year. The theme this term is ” New Mobile Horizon”
MARCH 2013
3rd - Festival of Sant Medir: This cute festival is celebrated in the lovely barrio of Gracia in Barcelona each year. Various groups or ‘colles’ from Gracia parade around the streets on horseback or on lorries, usually with a musical band in tow, throwing sweets to the watching crowds. In the evening there is a set parade route which finishes on the Gran de Gracia, the main street through this part of town.
9th, 10th & 11th - Barcelona to Sitges Car Rally: If old cars is your thing, then this event is not to be missed. It is the 54th running of the event and the best time to see the entrants is on the Saturday when they will all gather in front of the Lilla Shopping Centre in Barcelona. On the Sunday they depart from Placa Sant Jaume at 11.00am and head south to Sitges. On the final day they all head off to the race track in Sant Pere de Ribes to do a few laps of the bowl circuit.
webpage (in Spanish)
17th - Barcelona Marathon: Why anyone would want to run 26 miles anywhere is a bit beyond us, but people insist on doing it and Barcelona’s annual marathon is well attended and follows a fabulous route through the city. So, whilst leaving the trainers and stretchy shorts in the cupboard we will get up early on this Sunday morning to take a few pics.
webpage (in English)
APRIL 2013
20th to 28th - Barcelona Open Tennis: A firm favourite on the mens pro tennis circuit, it is a chance to see the sport’s best known stars in action. Rafa Nadal has confirmed he will compete this year and with first round tickets as little as 19€ it is a cheap day out.
webpage (in English)
23rd - Sant Jordi: If you happen to be anywhere in Catalonia on this day don’t panic when you are confronted by hundreds of book stalls and even more rose sellers. This is the Saint Day of Catalonia and the locals celebrate with the entirely un PC tradition of buying a book (for your chap) or a rose (for your lady). Although you can grab a bargain with regards to the books, needless to say the price of a rose rockets until about 7pm when some last minute selling takes place. For more on the history of this special day please visit our post from last year.
MAY 2013
10th to 12th - Formula 1 Grand Prix: The Formula 1 circus comes to town! Held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Granollers, there are two practice days, including qualifying, before the main event on the Sunday afternoon. With crowds usually topping 100,000 it really is a fantastic chance to see the best of the best in terms of motorsport. The webpage has all the info you could possibly need to come to the event including online ticket sales.
16th to 19th - X Games Barcelona: Barcelona is to host one of the most important sporting events in the world. Skateboard, BMX, MotoX and Rally all up on Montjuic. This is definately the event of 2013!
Web-Page
22nd to 26th - Primavera Sound: The first big music event of the year is based at the Arc de Triomf and the Parc del Forum in Barcelona. With groups from all over the world in attendance, it is a great way to warm up for the summer festival season. Acts confirmed: BLUR.
webpage (in English)
JUNE 2013
14th to 16th – Moto GP Catalonia: After the four wheel boys last month, the Catalonia circuit hosts the lunatics on just two! Yes Pedrosa, Stoner, Lorenzo and Rossi are in town for this motorbike extravaganza. Three days of high speed excitement.
webpage (in English)
13th to 15th – Sonar 2012: Sónar is the festival of advanced music and multimedia art that takes place at various venues in Barcelona. Started in 1994 this pioneering event showcases avant garde and experimental performers. Confirmed so far are Pet Shop Boys, Kraftwerk and Fantastic Mr Fox to name a few.
webpage (in English)
23rd – The Night of San Joan: The craziest night of the year in Barcelona. Celebrating the festival of St John the Baptist on midsummer’s eve, this is not to be missed. Basically it involves partying hard and letting off as many fireworks as you can get your hands on. There are several ‘official’ displays up and down the coast, but ‘doing your own thing’ is much more the norm, just don’t wear anything flammable
Note: GoCar Barcelona are not responsible for external websites or changes made to scheduling. All the above information is provided in good faith for our blog visitors.