The festivities of Gràcia are one of the most famous of Barcelona for the numerous activities that are organized but mainly for the decoration of its streets and balconies. Gràcia is a neighborhood that has a great tradition of associations that still lasts. The neighborhood associations work all year long to decorate the street to which they belong; first they decide the theme and then they design and create all the decorative elements, mainly based on recycled materials. The themes can be varied and so we can find a street dedicated to prehistory, another to space travel and another to love. Although the important thing is to participate, a competition is organized among the streets and prizes are awarded to the three best decorated streets. Oh, and the themes are secret until the day the festivities begin. Another competition of decorated balconies is also organized in which every neighbor can participate.
As we said at the beginning, many activities are organized. Gràcia is filled with stages for concerts of all kinds of music, orchestras play popular dance music in the squares at night, bars and restaurants set up bars in the street, the devils run at night, the castellers set up their human castles, the sardanas are danced, the batons sound, the giants and big heads walk, there are activities for children, trabucaires, popular meals in the streets ... better check the program or better yet go to Gràcia and let yourself go.
About the 2024 edition of the Festa Major de Gràcia
In the 2024 edition of the Festa Major de Gràcia will be organized, as usual, recreational, cultural and neighborhood activities totally free and for all audiences. There will be 23 decorated streets, traditional demonstrations of popular culture, and a wide variety of activities such as workshops, concerts and shows in the squares of Sol and Dones del 36, as well as in the neighborhood facilities, such as the Library Vila de Gràcia, the Ateneu de Fabricació and Punt Verd Tabuenca.
One of the main novelties this year is the commitment to make the festival coexist with the rest of the neighbors. Therefore, on the 18th the "quiet night" will be held, during which no concerts will be scheduled in the streets with amplified sound.
The inclusive will is also reflected in a program that offers activities for people with disabilities and for children, and that will make visible the problem of unwanted loneliness with an exhibition in the Plaza Joanic.
Also, this year there will be a lilac point in the Plaza de la Revolución to offer support in cases of harassment or sexist, LGTBIphobic, sexual or racist violence. To make the celebration more sustainable, this year there will be a selective collection of decorations.
Highlights of activities
Wednesday, August 14th
- 19:00 h - Opening speech
Location: Plaza de la Vila
The speech will be given by the gegantons Torradet and Gresca, celebrating their 25th anniversary. - 17:30 h - La Pasada del Pregó
Itinerary: Plaza de la Virreina, Astúries, Verdi, Plaza de la Revolució, Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, Puigmartí, Torrent de l'Olla, Diluvi and Plaza de la Vila
A parade with trabucaires, gegants, tabalers and grallers, which will depart from Can Musons to Plaza de la Vila.
Thursday 15th August
- 08:00 h - Matinades de Gralles i Tabalers
Itinerary: Plaça de la Vila, Goya, Sant Pere Màrtir, Jesús, Gran de Gràcia, Ros de Olano, Verdi, Astúries, Plaça de la Virreina, Or, Torrent d'en Vidalet, Travessera
The day begins with music and joy through the main streets. - 12:10 h - Matí de Festa Major
Location: Plaza de la Vila
Morning activities to enjoy with the family. - 18:00 h - Cercavila
Location: Gran de Gràcia with Plaça de Trilla
A colorful parade for all ages.
Friday 16th August
- 21:00 h - Correfoc de Inicio
Itinerary: Plaza Trilla, Gran de Gràcia, Sant Domènech, Plaza de la Vila
A spectacular correfoc that will light up the streets with fire and pyrotechnics.
Sunday, August 18th
- 11:00 h - Diada Castellera
Location: Plaza de la Vila
Exhibition of human towers, an impressive Catalan tradition.
Monday 19th August
- 10:00 h to 14:00 h - Exhibition of the Guardia Urbana and Mossos d'Esquadra
Location: Pla de Nicolás Salmerón
Includes exhibition of vehicles and police equipment, children's activities and the intervention of the canine section of the Guardia Urbana.
Wednesday, August 21st
- 22:00 h - Closing Correfoc
Location: Plaza de la Vila
Farewell to the festival with an exciting correfoc that will close the week of celebrations.
Continuous Activities (August 14 to 21)
- Visits to the Diamond Square Shelter
Time: 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Location: Plaza del Diamant
Organized by the Taller d'Història de Gràcia, these visits offer a glimpse into the city's historical past. - Visits to the Revolution Square Shelter
Time: 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm
Location: Plaça de la Revolució
An educational activity that requires prior registration, offering a historical tour.
The Plazas de Gràcia
Some squares in Gràcia become thematic spaces in which various activities are developed on a theme or, in the case of music, on a musical style.
Plaza del Sol
One of the most mythical squares in the neighborhood of Gràcia will become the Plaça del Folk. This space managed by the Centro Artesano Tradicionàius will host artists such as Balkan Paradise Orchestra, Raíces de Gràcia, Namorala Pandereteiras, la Portátil FM, the workshop and combat of Glosa or the Baile de Gralles de Quatrevents.
Plaza de las Mujeres del 36
Municipal space where programming revolves around feminist awareness and the fight against gender stereotypes.
Inclusion and Sustainability
This year, the Festa Major de Gràcia emphasizes inclusion and sustainability. There will be activities designed for people with disabilities, and selective waste collection points will be set up to encourage a more environmentally friendly celebration. In addition, there will be a lilac point in the Plaza de la Revolución to offer support against cases of harassment or violence.
Decorated streets and squares
This year there will be 23 decorated spaces in the Festa Major de Gràcia. Streets and squares decorated by commissions of neighbors in a totally disinterested way. We also indicate the theme of each space:
- Berga: "Cosecha 2023", a vineyard with a winery.
- Ciudad Real: "Oasis of Peace", a Saharawi camp.
- Fraternitat de Baix: "Christmas", the traditional elements of Christmas.
- Fraternitat de Dalt: "Fraternitat de OZ", decoration inspired by the movie The Wizard of Oz.
- Jesús: "Selva'm", a warning for climate change in the Selva.
- Joan Blanques de Baix: "Abracadabra!", a theater for magic shows.
- Joan Blanques de Baix de Tot: "Tocats del bolet", a walk among mushrooms.
- La Perla: "Perlagueram", a tour through the sewage system of the city, from the bathroom to the beach.
- Llibertat: "Rapa Nui", a tribute to the Rapa Nui culture of Polynesia.
- Lluís Vives: "Minions", decoration based on the Minions movies.
- Mozart: "Mozartland", a trip to the world of Alice in Wonderland.
- Perill: "Insects in Danger", insect party.
- Plaza del Poble Gitano: "El barco de papel", decoration inspired by the poem "Veles e vents" by Ausiàs March.
- Plaza de la Vila: "Any night the sun can come out", the meeting place of the characters of Jaume Sisa's song.
- Plaza del Nord: "En verano toda bicho vive", a tribute to the vitality of people, nature and animals during the summer.
- Rovira i Trias Square: "Alis volat propriis", butterflies struggling to get out of their cages and achieve freedom.
- Placeta de Sant Miquel i Rodalies: "Teatrito de sombras. La Placeta Company", a tribute to the shadow and puppet theater companies.
- Progrés: "Hormigres", decoration inspired by the Pixar-Disney movie "Bichos".
- Providencia: "Provi S.A.", decoration inspired by the movie "Monsters S.A." by Pixar-Disney.
- Puigmartí: "Naturaleza Viva", here they will reproduce how nature imposes itself to the human presence.
- Tordera: "Tordernismo", homage to Catalan Modernism.
- Travessia de Sant Antoni: "Travessia de New Orleans", the city of Mississippi moved to the neighborhood of Gràcia.
- Verdi: "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", with elements that appear in the famous tale of the Brothers Grimm.
Decorated balconies, doorways and stores.
The decoration is the distinctive feature and the essence of the Festa Major de Gràcia. For this reason, neighbors and merchants join the party by decorating their homes, balconies or shop windows. In this year's edition there will be 42 works of this type referenced in the official program of the Festa Major de Gràcia.
Fairs of the Festa Major de Gràcia 2024
Attractions Fair
- Days: From 9 to 21 August
- Schedule: From 9 to 14 August, from 11:00 to 23:00 h / From 15 to 21 August, from 11:00 to 02:00 h
- Place: Jardinets de Gràcia
Craft Fair
- Days: From 15 to 21 August
- Schedule: From 12:00 to 23:00 hours
- Place: Plaça de la Virreina and Plaça del Diamant
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