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January
Reis Mags (5-6): the Tree Kings arrive by boat, then tiur the city, showering
the crowds with sweets.
February
Santa Eulalia (12-19 Feb): a series of musical events in honour
of one of the city’s patron saints.
Carnestoltes: one week of pre-Lenten carnival celebrations and costumed
processions come to an end on Ash Wednesday with the symbolic burial
of a sardine.
March
Sant Medir de Gracia (3 Mar): procession of traditionally dressed
horsemen from Gracia who ride over Collserola to the Hermitage of
Sant Medir (Saint of Broad Beans) for a bean-feast. March/April
Setmana Santa: religious services and celebrations for Easter Week include
a solemn procession from the church of Sant Augusti on Good Friday. Easter
celebrations are particularly important in the areas of the city settled
by Spaniards from Andalucia and southern Spain.
April
Sant Jordi (23 Apr); the Catalan alternative to St Valentine’s Day.
May
Festa de la Bicicleta (one Sun in May): join the Mayor and 15,000 others
on a cycle-ride around the city, in an effort to encourage fewer cars.
June
Midsummer (23-24 June) is a good excuse for huge-scale partying and spectacular
fireworks. Trobada Castellera (mid-june): displays of human tower building.
International Film Festival (last two weeks). Flamenco Festival (last
two weeks). Festival del Grec; arts festival (end June-Aug).
July
Aplec de la Sardana, Olot; the biggest Sardana dancing festival in Catalonia.
August
Festa Major de Gracia (3rd week of Aug): a popular festival of music, dancing
and street celebratings in the Gracia district.
September
Diada de Catalunya (11 Sep): Catalonia’s National Day does not mark
a victory, but the taking of the city by Felipe V in 1714. La Merce (20-24
Sep): boisterous parades and spectacles featuring giants, devils, dragons,
big heads and musically choreographed fireworks. Festa Major de la Barceloneta
(1-15 Oct): one of the liveliest district festes, with processions and
dancing on the beach every night.
October
International Jazz Festival.
December
Christmas festivities include a craft fair outside the cathedral (6-23
Dec) and a crib in Placa Sant Jaume.
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