The Most Important Events in Barcelona

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Sant Jordi (Saint George) is the patron saint of Catalonia, making this day a major event for the entire city of Barcelona. According to legend, there was once a dragon that was terrorizing villages and was about to eat a beautiful Princess. Sant Jordi came in to save the day, killing the dragon and offering the princess a single red rose. Now, on the 23rd of April each year, the streets of Barcelona are filled with people walking around with roses and books in hand (nearly 2 million books are sold every year). For couples, it’s like a second Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, the men buy the women roses and the women buy the men books.

Sant Jordi is not a public holiday, meaning all shops and restaurants are open, but it feels like a holiday in the streets. With stalls all over the city selling books and roses, everyone can be involved in the celebration every April 23rd.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell

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Also known as Trofeu Conde de Godó, the Barcelona Open, sponsored by Banc Sabadell, is a major tennis tournament that has been held since 1953 at the private Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on its natural clay courts. As a country with an extensive history of tennis, especially as the home of Rafael Nadal known as the “King of Clay,” the tournament takes place in the last week of April (21-28, 2018), just one month before the major French Open. In the vein of major sporting events, the Barcelona Open draws over 90,000 people yearly and gives the city a boost economically. Fans can buy their tickets online now for this year’s event.

BCN Beer Festival

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Beer is big in Barcelona, so it makes sense that the city has its own celebration of breweries and all types of beer, including those homemade. This March at La Farga Centre d’Activitats in L’Hospitalet De Llobregat, people can come for every day of the BCN Beer Festival and try out everything offered for just €50 a person or €10 for just one day. With more than 300 beers offered, tasters are sure to find the one that suits them the best. The price includes an easy entry for those who buy their tickets in advance online, a free t-shirt, a canvas bag, festival guide, 20 free tasting tokens (the price of additional coins is €1 per coin), and an official glass from the Beer Festival.

Related article: Medieval festivals in Barcelona

Primavera Sound

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Every year in early summer, the all-encompassing Primavera Sound music festival is put on for thousands of fans in Barcelona. The festival has been held since 2005 at the Parc del Fòrum with some of the biggest artists of the time performing on their stages. Primavera, a music promotion company, has developed a plan to make a music festival for all generations to enjoy the experience of live music. The festival promotes innovation and quality of all genres and incorporates rock, pop, R&B, and electronic music into the artist selection. Previous artists who have performed here include Nine Inch Nails, Kendrick Lamar, The Cure, Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Radiohead, and the late Lou Reed among many others. The list of artists for this year’s edition is yet to be announced.

Barcelona International Comic Fair

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Since 1981, Barcelona Comic-Con has been a popular attraction for comic book authors and fans from all over Europe and the world. For many, it’s a place to meet with other comic book aficionados and authors and buy rare, collectible comics. The 2018 International Comic Fair will take place from the 30th of March to the 2nd of April at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc, filling up 50,000 square meters of space. It will feature exhibitions dedicated to past and present comics, a gallery of political cartoons from more than 150 cartoonists, and special guests.