Summer fiestas in Barcelona to blend in with locals
Summer in Barcelona has so much to offer to an Erasmus student. Even without the seemingly endless playas and the parties in the Barceloneta. We have covered here some highlights of the summer festival season but the one thing to do if you really want to pass as a local is to pay a visit to one of Barcelona’s many fiestas. These celebrations are different in every barrio. The most amazing part is that there is so much variety in the traditions, the music and the food that you will definitely make it a mission to take part in all of them. We have divided these summer fiestas in Barcelona so that you can visit them as the months progress. We are starting with the ones that take place during June and early July and finishing with the ones that are celebrated in August and September.
Fiesta Mayor del Coll
El Coll is a barrio of Gracia, close to the foot of the Tibidabo hill. In the first fifteen days of June, there is a big celebration in this neighbourhood. It includes cooking displays of popular recipes, musical performances and dancing, along with festivities for children and sporting events. El Coll may be a little far from the centre of Barcelona but make sure to pay it a visit during the fiesta mayor days. In this way, you can fully emerge into the Catalan culture and the personality of the barrio.
Night of Saint Joan
The night of Saint Joan is one of the biggest summer fiestas in Barcelona during the summer. On the 23rd of June and throughout the night, there are fireworks and different customs around fire, celebrating the summer solstice, just a few days late. It is a truly magical night, as it is accompanied by neighbourhood meals (do you see a pattern here?), dancing and singing until the early hours. It is very interesting to check out the different customs that take place during the celebration. Even better, you can find a nice place in the city where you can watch the firework display.
Fiesta Mayor del Casco Antiguo
Ciutat Vella in Barcelona can be described as the prettiest area to live in, as well as go out during the night. Of course, a fiesta mayor from this part of the city couldn’t be missing from this list. We made sure we included the most famous one of the Casco Antiguo. It takes place in the barrios of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina y La Ribera, and truly elevates their unique character. Once again, there are many types of food you can try and many folklore traditions to learn.
Make sure not to miss the giants of Santa Maria del Mar. They are the mascots of the barrio that bring luck to the people and participate in many emblematic acts in the city. But don’t worry, because even if you can’t make it to a few of the summer fiestas in Barcelona, you can get to see the giants in the Casa de los Entremeses. In there, they are kept among other festive materials of the Ciutat Vella.