arts & culture

The Festes de Sants is one of Barcelona’s most eclectic neighbourhood celebrations, marking the city’s late-summer festival season. 

Festivities kick off on August 23rd with a parade along the Avinguda de Josep Tarradellas, followed by the show Expressions del món in the Parc de l’Espanya. This will lead into the official opening ceremony delivered by actresses Esther López Martín and Júlia Truyol Caimari from the La Calòrica theatre company. This marks the start of a week filled with daytime activities including elaborate street decorations, cava-fuelled barbecues, and traditional Catalan shows such as castellers (human towers), correfocs (fire runs) and towering gegantes.

As night falls, the celebrations transform into street parties, with local bands and DJs filling the air with music and dance. If you fancy something more lowkey, you can head for some respite in the bars around Plaça d’Osca.

So, if you loved the Festa Major de Gracia, then head straight to Sants for the next round of celebrations.