Barcelona 2023: Discover the year's most important events month by month

No matter when you visit, you'll never get bored because there's something to do, celebrate or see in Barcelona all year round. Discover Barcelona's unmissables month by month and make the most of a packed calendar of special events in Barcelona.

January

Paul Klee and the Secrets of Nature

Visit this major retrospective exhibition about the painter Paul Klee that explores his relationship with nature and also includes works by lesser-known artists who were interested in the natural world. Until 12th February

Picasso Celebration 1973-2023: Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler: Dealer and Publisher

Barcelona kicks off Picasso Year, a worldwide celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the painter's death, with the first exhibition at the Museu Picasso to mark the event. It is dedicated to Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, a champion of great artists. Until 19th March

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. 25 Years of World Heritage

Visit the stunning Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, which will be celebrating two special anniversaries in 2023: the 25th anniversary of it being awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status and the centenary of the death of its architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Until 26th March

"Crystal". Cirque du Soleil

Let yourself be captivated by the latest Barcelona current event, the spectacular performance by Cirque du Soleil, who will be bringing their show Crystal to the Palau Sant Jordi. It combines their never-before-seen acrobatics with the beauty of ice skating. Pure adrenaline! 12th-22nd January

February

Barcelona Wine Week likes the city!

Experience the city's passion for wine culture over the course of a week packed with activities associated with the world of wine and food. 1st-8th February

Llum Bcn. Festival d'arts lumíniques

Enjoy the beauty of a unique event in Barcelona: some of the most iconic buildings in the Poblenou neighbourhood will be lit up with light installations and mappings as part of this great festival of light.3rd-5th February

"Macbeth"

Feel the emotion of Shakespeare's great tragedy transformed into Verdi's opera, which comes to the Gran Teatre del Liceu in a masterly staging by artist Jaume Plensa. 16th February-3rd March

ISMF World Championships

Don't miss the main annual ski mountaineering special event, the World Championships, which will be held at the Boí Taüll ski resort in 2023 and feature different types of races, including sprint and relay. 27th February-5th March

March

Barcelona Obertura - Spring Festival & Ciutat de Clàssica

For lovers of classical music, the Spring Festival will be bringing some of the world's top performers to the city's three foremost music venues, and Ciutat de Clàssica will be holding free concerts at different sites around the city. 8th-31st March

44 Zurich Marató de Barcelona

Come and join in or cheer on the runners in the Zurich Marathon, one of Europe's biggest running events that has been awarded Gold Label status by World Athletics: the top accolade for the best urban road races. A 42-kilometre route through the city that goes past some of its most iconic landmarks. 19th March

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Choose your favourite competition stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and cheer on the riders to make sure they give the best of themselves. 20th-26th March

Barcelona Eurovision Party

You'll have a ball at this big live music party at the Sant Jordi Club celebrating the famous Eurovision Song Contest. 23rd-25th March

Festival OFFF Barcelona

The sheer variety of the activities and events associated with the most innovative digital culture will blow your mind. The Festival Offf Barcelona at Disseny Hub Barcelona will fill the city with creativity. 23rd-25th March

D'A Film Festival

Discover the current event in independent and art house cinema at this festival where you'll be able to enjoy screenings of award-winning films and world premieres. 23rd March-2nd April

Comic Barcelona

Come and meet the most famous writers and cartoonists from the comic and graphic novel scene. Barcelona's Comic fair is full of all kinds of surprises. Why not come along dressed as your favourite character? 31st March-2nd April

April

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell- 70th Trofeu Conde de Godó

Come along and cheer your favourite players at this tournament that brings together tennis stars from around the world and feel the excitement of live tennis. 15th-23rd April

Sant Jordi, World Book Day

Discover the amazing festival of culture and love on one of the Barcelonians' favourite special events. The streets are lined with stalls selling books and roses to commemorate the day of Sant Jordi (Saint George), which also falls on UNESCO World Book Day. 23rd April

Digital Impact

Come and experience the first exhibition dedicated solely to digital art, which blurs the boundaries between the physical and virtual world. 27th April-27th August

Bruce Springsteen

"The boss" will be in town to fill the Olympic Stadium with his songs that have become true anthems. Enjoy his music live! 28th and 30th April

May

Berliner Philharmoniker & Petrenko

Don't miss the concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana by the orchestra considered by many to be the finest on the planet: the Berlin Philharmonic. They will be performing works by Mozart and Schumann under the baton of Kirill Petrenko. 2nd May

Festival Rec.0

Browse the many pop-up stores that will be offering stock at unbeatable prizes inside the old factories in the former industrial neighbourhood in the town of Igualada. 10th-13th May and November

The Science Behind Pixar

Find out all the secrets behind the amazing and wonderful world of Pixar films. A journey through the creative process and the science behind it. 17th May-3rd September

Elton John

Sing along with Sir Elton John's famous songs. He'll be visiting Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi with his inseparable piano in a special event. 22nd and 23rd May

Coldplay

The band will be playing four dates to a packed Barcelona Olympic Stadium and performing songs from their latest album Music Of The Spheres. 24th-25th and 27th-28th May

50th Trofeu de Vela Conde de Godó

Come and enjoy one of the world's most thrilling regattas. Four days of competition will transform Barcelona's beaches into one big party. 24th-28th May

June

Preliminary training sessions for the 37th America's Cup Barcelona 2024

In 2024, Barcelona will be hosting the world's most important yachting competition, the 37th America's Cup. You'll be able to see the crews training for this challenging trophy from the beach in preparation for the main event next year. From June onwards

Primavera Sound 2023

Make sure you put Primavera Sound on your calendar. This year, one of the world's most famous alternative music festivals will be bringing you performers of the stature of Rosalía, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Blur and Bad Religion. 1st-3rd June

Fórmula 1 AWS Gran Premi d'Espanya

Feel the excitement and adrenaline of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya, with the world's top drivers and racing teams.2nd-4th June

World Environment Day

Join in the initiative that highlights the importance of caring for the environment and take part in the interesting activities designed to raise climate-change awareness.5th June

Sónar

Get ready to party at Sonar: three days of the best electronic music which has become the world's go-to event for advanced music and digital art. 15th-17th June

Picasso Celebration 1973-2023: "Picasso's will. The ceramics that inspired the artist"

Continue celebrating Picasso by visiting this exhibition at Barcelona's design museum, the Museu del Disseny, which brings together 16 ceramic works by the artist exhibited alongside other pieces from the museum collection. 21st June – 17th September

Vida Festival

See renowned performers from Spain and abroad, and emerging talents, perform live at this festival in the beautiful natural setting of Vilanova i la Geltrú. 29th June-1st July

Grec. Festival de Barcelona

Enjoy Barcelona's summer culturefest, one of the city's most exciting current events, which showcases theatre, music, circus and dance at different venues around the city. 29th June - 31st July

July

Festival Cruïlla

Get into the groove with the live sets from some of the leading groups from the indie music scene at this open-air festival by the sea. 6th-8th July

Pride Barcelona

Live it up at the Pride party: a celebration of diversity that fills the streets with music and happiness, rounding off several days of special events geared to lending visibility to and showing solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community. 14th-15th July

August

Vuelta Ciclista a España

Experience the excitement of the Vuelta in Barcelona. The city will be hosting the opening stage time-trial as well as the second stage that will take the riders past some of Barcelona's most iconic sights and landmarks. 26th-27th August

Diada de Sant Fèlix

Human towers, or castellers, are one of Catalonia's most celebrated traditions and take centre stage at the main festival in the town of Vilafranca del Penedès on Saint Felix's Day. Come along and feel the excitement of their awe-inspiring displays. 29th August-2nd September

September

Gran Premi de Moto GP

Can you hear the engines roar? Everything's in place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for one of the most important motorbike races of 2023: the Moto GP World Championship featuring the world's top riders. 1st-3rd September

ORC Double Handed World Championship

Let yourself be captivated by the yachts as they ply the waters of the Mediterranean. Barcelona's beaches will be hosting one of the world's biggest offshore regattas. 9th-15th September

La Mercè

Come and visit Barcelona during the city's big festival. La Mercè. Lasting around five days, the celebration is packed with activities, from parades of ‘giants', ‘big heads', dragons and fire-breathing beasts to human tower displays and sardana circle dances. The festival is also packed with arts and cultural events to suit all tastes. One of the year's top highlights. 24th September

October

Mercat de Mercats

Sample the best in Catalan food at this three-day festival that also includes lots of food-related activities and events. Come along to Plaça de les Glòries and sample the tapas prepared by Barcelona's top restaurants and the produce from the city's best food markets. October

Ironman 70.3

Come and see the athletes run and cycle through the seaside town of Calella and swim along the Maresme coast. Are you up for the challenge? 1st October

Sitges International Fantasy Film Festival

Have a spine-tingling time at the festival that originally specialised in fantasy films but now encompasses a variety of genres, from horror to gore and much more besides. 5th-15th October

Barcelona International Boat Show

Discover the latest offerings from the leisure marine sector at the Barcelona International Boat Show: the key recreational and competitive sailing event. 11th-15th October

Picasso Celebration 1973-2023: Miró-Picasso

This exhibition, co-organised by the Fundació Miró and the Museu Picasso as part of the Picasso Celebration, gives a fascinating insight into Miró and Picasso's close relationship with Barcelona. It is the first exhibition to be held simultaneously at both venues. 19th October 2023-25th February 2024

November

100th Jean Bouin Mundo Deportivo

Come and take part in Spain's oldest athletics race, and one of Barcelona's largest sporting events, in its centenary year and run the 10 km route through the city. November

MIRA. Digital Arts Festival

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the digital arts and discover the latest in 360º screenings, electronic music, large-format installations and much, much more. November

Christmas lights switch-on

Get into the festive spirit with the Christmas lights switch-on that kicks off the most magical time of the year. Throughout the holiday season, the streets of Barcelona shine more brightly than ever after dark. November-January 2024

December

Design Market Barcelona

Find the perfect gift at this market held at Barcelona's design centre, the Disseny Hub, which brings together artists, designers and cutting-edge brands. December

Special events 2023

Throughout 2023, the city will be celebrating special events featuring a whole host of activities:

Picasso Celebration 1973-2023

Come and visit the three exhibitions in the city and some of the activities organised by Barcelona's cultural centres as part of the worldwide commemorations of the 50th anniversary of Picasso's death. In 2023, Barcelona's Museu Picasso will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Domènech i Montaner Year

Come and marvel at Domènech i Montaner's stunning art nouveau legacy in the city on the centenary of his death. Landmarks including the concert hall, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site and the Casa Fuster will be joining in the celebrations with special activities and events.

Alícia de Larrocha i de la Calle

Discover one of Spain's greatest, world-renowned pianists with the events being held in 2023 to commemorate the centenary of her birth.

Centenary of Einstein's visit to Barcelona

Explore the places Einstein visited when he came to the city to give a series of lectures on relativity.

Bicentenary of Passeig de Gràcia

Walk along the city's most majestic boulevard, which will be celebrating its bicentenary in 2023. The shops, restaurants and architectural landmarks will be dressed up for the occasion. You're sure to find a special activity to celebrate this important event.