1. Carnaval in Sitges

3–4 days Feb

The buzzing beach town of Sitges explodes during Carnaval, celebrated in flamboyant fashion. Over-the-top floats carry drag queens, there are lip-synching contests and a fresh-off-the-beach crowd warmed by sun and plenty of beer.

Performer at the Carnaval in Sitges

2. Festes de Sant Medir

Around 3 Mar

A 10th-century hermitage is the focus of a picturesque pilgrimage featuring carriages and costumed attendants on horseback. Sweets are thrown from the carriages, which is a treat for the kids.

3. El Dia de Sant Jordi

23 Apr

On this spring day, Barcelona is transformed into a vibrant open-air book and flower market. Men and women exchange presents of roses, to celebrate Sant Jordi, and books, in tribute to Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on 23 April 1616.

4. Festa de la Patum

Corpus Christi (May)

The village of Berga (90 km/60 miles north of Barcelona) hosts one of Catalonia’s liveliest festivals. The event gets its name from the folks who used to chant patum (the sound of a drum). Streets spill over with merrymakers as fireworks crackle and dwarfs, devils and dragons dance atop parade floats.

5. La Revetlla de Sant Joan

23 Jun

In celebration of St John and the start of summer, this is Catalonians’ night to play with fire – and play they do, with gusto. Fireworks streak through the night sky and bonfires are set ablaze on beaches and in towns throughout the region.

6. Castells

Jun

Castells is one of Catalonia’s most spectacular folk traditions. Trained castellers stand on each others’ shoulders using precise techniques to create a human castle – the highest tower takes the prize. The crowning moment is when a child scales the human mass to make the sign of the cross. Castells are often performed in Plaça Sant Jaume.

7. Festa Major de Gràcia

Mid- to late Aug

During this week-long festa, the largest party of the summer, many revellers congregate in Gràcia’s decorated streets. Parades, open-air concerts, fireworks and plentiful supplies of beer and cava fuel the infectious merriment.

Festa Major de Gràcia celebrations

8. Festes de la Mercè

Week of 23 Sep

Barcelona’s main festival is a riotous week-long celebration in honour of La Mercè. The night sky lights up with fireworks, outdoor concerts are held, and there’s barely a bottle of cava left in the city by the festival’s end. Parades and processions feature gegants – giant wooden puppets operated by people.

Gegants, Festes de la Mercè

9. Catalan Christmas and Cavalcada de Reis

The Nadal (Christmas) season begins on 1 December with the arrival of the festive artisan fairs. On 5 January is the Cavalcada de Reis, the spectacular Parade of the Three Kings. In Barcelona, the kings arrive by sea and are welcomed by city officials in front of transfixed children.

10. Sardanes

“The magnificent, moving ring” is how Catalan poet Joan Maragall described the sardana, Catalonia’s regional dance. Subdued yet intricate, it is performed to the tunes of the cobla, a traditional brass and woodwind band. Sardanes can be seen in Plaça de la Seu and Plaça Sant Jaume year round.