This weekend in Barcelona, the city will shine in a thousand and one colours. Carnival, show puppets, free concerts and a festival atmosphere in the arenas. Here are some ideas released from February 16 to 19.
Carnival is in full swing in Barcelona
How to miss it? More than 40 parades throughout the city throughout the weekend, battle of orange confetti at the opening, in a nod to those made with real oranges in the past, costume contests, disguise workshops, dances . The heart will be at the party in the Catalan capital. And it will be of all colors.
The opening will take place on the Rambla, Thursday, February 16, from 6:30 p.m., with the arrival of Queen Belluga and her entourage. This day is also called “Shrove Thursday”, so all the reasons are there to fill your stomach with local delicacies: cakes of lardons, egg sausages and tortillas. We talk about it in more detail in this article.
Dates : Thursday February 16 to Wednesday February 22
Address : in the ten districts of Barcelona. Opening from the Rambla to the Palau de la Virreina.
Prix : free
All the detailed program in our article or on the official pamphlet.
One of the most beautiful parades to see in Sitges
In the same theme, thirty minutes from the county city, one of the most beautiful Carnivals in the world will vibrate. Direction Sitges, Sunday February 19 evening, from 7:30 p.m., to see one of the most emblematic parades in the region. This is the famous “rua de la Disbauxa”. Costumes all as beautiful as each other, percussion wandering all over the city, and a version for children.
The event is huge. To get there, take public transport to avoid traffic jams. The Rodalies R2S line serves the city by the sea from Barcelona.
Date : Sunday February 19
Schedule : 7:30 p.m. for adults, 12 p.m. for children
Address : The parade starts from Sofía Avenue and arrives at Cap de la Vila, in Sitges
Transport : Line R2S, R2 of the Rodalies
Prix : free
The full Sitges Carnival program can be viewed at This site.
Festival atmosphere in the arenas
The Monumental club returns, Saturday, February 18, in the mythical bullring of the Plaza Monumental. The opportunity for those who missed the first date in February, to have a second chance to enjoy music and good food. And this time, you can even come in disguise: it’s Carnival theme.
The appointment is given from 12 p.m., with an afternoon more suitable for children, and a more festive evening, for adults, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. In total, seven artists, such as Piti Vaccari, DJ Pepe or even Siria DJ, will play. A must do with friends or family.
Date : Saturday February 18
Schedule : from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Address : Arena La Monumental, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 749
Prix : from €8 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and €16 from 4 p.m. until closing time. Free for children under 3 years. Purchase on site or on the event site.
A Disney show on ice
Young and old, nostalgic and child-like souls will be delighted. The Disney On Ice show arrives in Barcelona from February 16 to 19. Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Coco, Aladdin, Frozen or even Moana tell stories on skates in a very wintery and magical atmosphere.
Several sessions will be given throughout the weekend at the Palau Sant Jordi. Something to make your children’s eyes shine.
Dates : Thursday February 16 to Sunday February 19
Schedule : Thursday 7 p.m., Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.
Address : Palau Sant Jordi, Passeig Olímpic, 5-7, 08038 Barcelona
Prix : between 15 and 60 €. The ticket office is online at the ProActiv website.
A puppet festival in Poble Espanyol
Let’s go for the 13th edition of the Barcelona Puppet Festival. 50 performances by 15 different companies will perform on seven stages at Poble Espanyol on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February.
Au programme : street theatre, plays and traditional puppet shows. Shows from 30 minutes to 1 hour for children aged 2 and over, but also for toddlers. Among the best known names: Pinocchio and the Wizard of Oz from Titelles Vergés ou encore THE Tales of the Sky and the Moon de Ruth Tururuth.
Dates : Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February
Schedule : 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Address : Poble Espanyol, Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13, 08038 Barcelona
Prix : from €9, free for children under 4 years old. Ticket office on the Poble Espanyol site.
And why not…
- Free rock and jazz concerts
American rock star Tori Sparks and his band give a concert in the auditorium of the Tomasa Cuevas Civic Center in Les Corts, Friday, February 17 at 8 p.m., as part of the Barcelona Cultural District. The electric concert mixes American, Latino, Catalan and Spanish musical styles.
For lovers of jazz and vintage music, also on the same day at 8 p.m., trumpeter Carlos Sarduy will perform at the Albareda Cultural Center in Paral·lel. Both concerts are free but on registration here for the firstet there for the second.
- Know how to invest in 2023 as an expat in Barcelona
Thursday, February 16, at 9 a.m., economist Frederico Servetto, from the Sabadell bank, will give a 1.5 hour conference on “Investment prospects for 2023”. In Spanish, he will guide foreigners living in Barcelona on the keys to investing and advise them on personal savings. See you at thisbetween Barcelona Activa à Glòries, Carrer de la Llacuna. It’s free, but you have to register this town hall page.
- The Bear Festival in Northern Catalonia
Fancy a getaway this weekend? One of the most authentic festivals in northern Catalonia takes place in Prats-de-Molló (Pyrénées Orientales), about 2 hours from Barcelona. Sunday, February 19, will begin the rite of passage between savage and civilized men, with the presence of three young people dressed in a fleece to mark the faces of the villagers. A big hunt will invest the streets of the city in the afternoon. Sardanas will end the day. The program is on this page.
- Participate in a costume contest
And in music, it’s even better. The Montigalà shopping center will install a dance floor and invite a DJ to animate the free costume contest, in Badalona, Saturday February 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More info on the shopping sign website.