| One does not sleep in Barcelona. For those | | | | into the fire from which presents then come |
| who came to seek the sun in Spain, a surprise | | | | out. Christmas dinner takes the form of |
| awaits them - the night. The Spanish night | | | | "escudella" and turkey, "torrons". New Year |
| life is one of the most developed in Europe, | | | | is celebrated in bars, restaurants, and in |
| maybe of the world. At night, the street | | | | the street where people wear fancy dress just |
| belongs to night birds who swarm in the most | | | | like in the carnivals. As the clock strikes |
| animated districts. Any pretext is good to | | | | twelve they eat the twelve grapes in time |
| organize a party. | | | | with each chime. |
| | | | |
| The origin of festivals in Barcelona is | | | | In January the main celebration is the |
| religious. A very strong Catholicism | | | | arrival of the "Three Kings from the Orient". |
| recovered the entire pagan and accepted them. | | | | The Carnivals, held in February, and St. |
| April 23, one celebrates almost everywhere in | | | | Valentines Day (February 14th) is also |
| Catalonia the day of the book (Sant Jordi), | | | | increasing in its popularity. On March 3rd |
| but there is also "the patum in Berga", the | | | | the popular festivity of Sant Medir is held |
| carnivals, the "Pastorets". At Easter there | | | | in Grácia and there is a cavalcade and |
| are the "Caramelles", and the "mones de | | | | singing choirs. |
| Pascua", the fights between "moros and | | | | |
| cristianos" he festival of Gracia in | | | | The most spectacular festivities are held on |
| Barcelona between the 15 and the 21 of August | | | | April 23rd. These are the celebrations in |
| which is a contest on street decoration. | | | | honor of St. George, the patron saint of |
| | | | Catalunya. In May a flower show is held, and |
| The popular festivities of La Merce, the | | | | on the 11th there is the typical festival of |
| patron saint of Barcelona, take place on and | | | | Sant Ponç held in El Hospital Street by |
| around September 24th when there are typical | | | | the city's herbalists. The most important |
| dances such as "sardanas", parades through | | | | celebration during the month of June is |
| the streets, important sporting events like | | | | undoubtedly the Eve of St. John. The Eve of |
| sailing, regattas, judo, swimming, walking | | | | St. Peter, on June 28th, brings with it the |
| races, religious celebrations, etc. In | | | | festivities associated with the summer |
| November there is All Hallows Day on the 1st | | | | solstice. |
| and All Souls Day on the 2nd, and this is the | | | | |
| time when typical cakes, known locally as | | | | From the end of June onwards, the Festival of |
| "panellets" are eaten. Around Santa Llucias | | | | "el Grec" begins. This consists of a series |
| Days the typical crib fair begins in the | | | | of theatrical performances as well as |
| vicinity of the Cathedral, and this goes on | | | | dancing, concerts, and other cultural events. |
| right up until Christmas. It is also the | | | | The last great summer celebration is that of |
| start of the opera season at El Liceu and the | | | | the "Onze de Setembre". This is a national |
| time for concerts at the Palace of Music. | | | | holiday in Catalunya and they hold various |
| These events continue for several months. | | | | official and political ceremonies. The fact |
| | | | that there are so many traditional |
| Christmas is traditionally celebrated at home | | | | festivities held has led many people to say |
| with the family and with the newly-revived | | | | that Barcelona is a city of festivals in |
| custom of "fer cagar el tio" - this consists | | | | Europe when it comes to celebrations. |
| of putting an object similar to a tree trunk | | | | |