What's On Barcelona: 14th - 16th August

Bon dia!

How about that eclipse then, eh? If you missed that once in a lifetime event, don't worry, there's another one in Spain next year, so that’s handy.

Quick one, have you noticed how kids have different rules in Barcelona? Back home (at least where I’m from), we tell them not to climb too high and not to play with fireworks.

Here, those are two traditions. The kids seem happy here though, don’t they? Maybe that’s why.

Anyway, here’s what’s on this weekend.

- Mark

⛅️ Weather

Fri ☀️ 32°/27° Sat ⛅ 30°/25° 🌦️ Sun 29°/24°

1. Festa Major de Gràcia (Gràcia Neighbourhood Festival)

What’s On: Probably my favourite neighbourhood festival, Festa Major de Gràcia starts this weekend, with 23 streets transformed with elaborate decorations. This year, five have joined forces to create a Lord of the Rings-themed Middle-earth route. Expect concerts, parades, giants and plenty more.

📅 When: Friday 14th – Sunday 16th August
📍 Where: Gràcia neighbourhood

Highlights
Fri: Opening celebrations & proclamation in Plaça de la Vila (7pm)
Sat: Decorated streets unveiled, morning parades & Popular Culture Parade (6:30pm)
Sun: Castellers (12pm), giants parade & dances (5pm), drummers' parade (7pm)

For more info see here →

2. Festes de Sant Roc (Sant Roc Neighbourhood Festival)

What’s On: One of Barcelona’s oldest festivals takes over Plaça Nova and the Cathedral neighbourhood this weekend. First celebrated in 1589, it’s now in its 437th edition, with giants, traditional dances, parades, sardanes, a correfoc and fireworks.

📅 When: Now until Sunday
📍 Where: Plaça Nova & Cathedral area, Gothic Quarter

Highlights
Thu: Opening parade (6pm), sardanes (7:15pm), havaneres & burnt rum (9pm)
Fri: Festa del Gos – bring your dog along for a traditional blessing to Sant Roc (6pm)
Sat: Giants parade & dances (5:30pm), free chocolate (7pm), DJ & dancing (10pm)
Sun: Procession & dances (9:30am), correfoc (10:15pm) & fireworks finale (10:55pm)

For more info see here →

Catalonia Beyond Fuet: Learn Catalan with a TV Classic [AD]

Hello, hello! Did you enjoy l’eclipsi?

Nosaltres tenim ganes d’un nou fenomen com aquest. Do you know what this sentence means? It means that we are eager for a new phenomenon like this one. In Catalan, the verb ‘to have’ is ‘tenir’. Tinc, tens, té, tenim, teniu, tenen.

Fun fact! There’s a TV series that premiered in 1999 called "Plats bruts”. It is set in Barcelona, and each episode is named using this verb. Tinc fogots or Tenim un merder are some of them.

Do you think your Catalan is good enough to watch the series? Vinga, prova-ho! (Come on, try it!)

Content by the Ministry Language Policy

3. Festigàbal - 10 Free Concerts Over Two Days

What’s On: Festigàbal brings two nights of free live music to the Jardins de La Sedeta as part of the Festa Major de Gràcia. There are 10 concerts across the weekend, with Ouineta and Fades headlining.

📅 When: Saturday & Sunday, from 8pm
📍 Where: Jardins de La Sedeta

For more info see here →

Plan Ahead: Pitbull Barcelona Show in November

What’s On: I mentioned this one when it was first announced back in March, but thought I’d give you a reminder in case you missed it. Pitbull (aka Mr. Worldwide) is bringing his “I’m Back” European tour to Barcelona in November.

The Miami rapper behind hits like “Timber” and “Give Me Everything” will perform at Palau Sant Jordi. I’ve got my ticket already, (and there are still some available) so hopefully see you there.

📅 When: November 4th
📍 Where: Palau Sant Jordi

More info here →

Also Happening This Weekend

🎭 Promoted Event
Friday Night Live Comedy Show (Comedy Clubhouse, Via Laietana) – The Clubhouse’s flagship English stand-up show, at their new Via Laietana venue for August, with top touring comedians & FREE karaoke afterwards (Fri, 10pm).

Buy one ticket, get one FREE with code: WHATSONFNL

🎶 Music, Parties & Nightlife
Fiesta Caribe (Poble Espanyol) – Live salsa and bachata, dance classes, Caribbean food, cocktails and DJs in an open-air setting (Wed, until 26th Aug).

Rock&Grill (Poble Espanyol) – Classic rock tribute bands, grilled food, craft beer and live music under the stars (Thu, until 27th Aug).

Queens' Nights (Poble Espanyol) – Tribute concerts celebrating artists including ABBA and Amy Winehouse, plus DJs and food trucks (Fri, until 28th Aug).

Fritanga! (Poble Espanyol) – Live Catalan rumba, tapas, mojitos and DJs at one of Barcelona's best summer tardeos (Sat, until 29th Aug).

MASiMAS Festival (Various Venues) – Live jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and Afro-Latin music across six iconic Barcelona venues (Until 6th Sept).

Live Music at Paperines (Montjuïc) – Enjoy live rumba under the stars at this open-air bar on Montjuïc, alongside food and drinks (Thu–Sun, 9pm–11pm, until 6th Sept).

🎬 Film & Outdoor Cinema
Mecal Air (Poblenou) – Free open-air short film screenings every Friday night, with themed sessions including comedy, animation and creative advertising (Until 28th Aug).

Filmoteca family cinema (El Raval) – Free weekend screenings at the Filmoteca. (Sat & Sun).

Finestrelles Summer Cinema (Esplugues de Llobregat) – Free outdoor cinema with weekly family-friendly films every Saturday evening (Until 12th Sept).

Family Cinema at the CCCB (El Raval) – Free screenings of animated & experimental short films exploring cities, every Wednesday & Saturday (Until 5th Sept).

🛍️ Food, Drinks, Markets & Shopping
Soul Market: Sunset Edition (Port Olímpic) – Free waterfront market with 20+ local artists & brands, food trucks, live music, DJs & activities (Sat & Sun, 4pm–midnight).

Wine Pop-Up Bar (Gothic Quarter) – Pop-up wine bar at Plaça de la Catedral, selection of wines, good vibes & Festa Major atmosphere (Sat, 12pm–9pm).

Viva Vintage Market (Poblenou) – End of summer vintage & second-hand market, with free soft drinks while stocks last (Sun from 11am, €2 advance/€3 general)

Two Markets €1 & €2 Clearance Sale (Poblenou) – Browse 8,000+ clothing items, all €2 on Friday & Saturday and dropping to €1 on Sunday (Fri–Sun, 11am–7pm, free entry).

Mercat de Colom Vintage Market (Port Vell) – Browse vintage jewellery, cameras, watches, antiques, military memorabilia and collectibles (Fri–Sun).

🎨 Culture & Experiences
Sant Roc Kids' Drawing Competition (page 7) (Plaça Nova) – Kids aged 2–14 can take part in a drawing competition themed around Festes de Sant Roc (Fri, 6pm).

Gràcia Funfair (Passeig de Gràcia) – Traditional funfair with rides, games & fairground attractions opens ahead of the Festa Major de Gràcia (until 21st Aug).

Tibidabo Laser Show (Tibidabo) – Nightly laser, light and music show in Plaça dels Somnis (9:30pm, on park opening days).

Mario Kart Game Night (El Raval) – Mario Kart tournament, board games, drinks and a chance to meet new people at Nomad House (Sun, 6pm–10pm).

Free Star Wars Exhibition (Passeig de Gràcia) – Original film props, life-size figures, ships & rare collectibles from one of Spain's largest private collections (Ends 18th Sept).

Emerging Art Festival (Various Locations) – 50+ exhibitions & events showcasing up-and-coming artists in galleries and art spaces across Barcelona (Until 3rd Sept).

Jardí Geològic (Les Corts) – New open-air museum exploring geology and Earth science, with rock displays and interactive exhibits (Free, open daily).

La Model Prison (Esquerra de l’Eixample) – Former prison turned public space, open for free visits where you can explore its cells and learn about its history.

The Last Days of Pompeii (IDEAL Montjuïc) – Immersive exhibition recreating Pompeii with 360° projections, VR and sound, including a dramatic Vesuvius eruption finale.

World’s Largest Balloon Exhibition (Poblenou) – Immersive exhibition made from 600,000 balloons, with sculptures & interactive rooms to explore.

Antarctica Experience (Plaça d'Espanya) – Escape the heat at this immersive exhibition exploring Antarctica through 360° projections, sounds & real footage.

🌞 Outdoors & Active
Gràcia Community Bike Ride (Gràcia) – Festa Major community bike ride through the neighbourhood, raising money for charity (Sat, 10am).

Outdoor Board Game Space at Glòries – Free open-air board game area with 100+ games you can borrow and play in the park (Sat & Sun, 6pm–10pm).

Juguem a les Places (Various Locations) – Free outdoor play spaces for kids & families across almost 50 Barcelona squares, with toys, games & activities.

💼 Jobs of the Week

UI/UX Artist at Voodoo
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Performance Creative Strategist at COCUNAT
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Find more jobs like this on BarcelonaJobs.com</sup>

That’s all for this week, have a great weekend!

— Mark

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