May in Barcelona

The stars of this month are the Liceu theater and the night of the museums but before to talk about them, let me tell you that there are a lot of things to do in may, especially cultural events. Let’s start by the comic show which is celebrated from the first thursday to sunday at the Fira Barcelona Montjuic (plaza espanya) so if you are a fan of this thing, don’t miss it and to know who will be there and the full program, check its official website. If you are near to the espanya square the first weekend, you will see a lot of old buses and in fact, it is not an exhibition but the classic bus rally. The saturday they are on the maria cristina avenue from 15h30 until 20h so

people can see them and the sunday, the rally will start at 10h30 and they will arrive at Caldes de Montbui around 13h on the passeig pi i maragall street. To know the trajectory, visit its official website.

One of the most romantic and charming events is the international competition of new roses which takes place at the rosaleda of the cervantes park (avinguda diagonal 706). A good way to discover new species and to enjoy a day in the nature. To know more, its official website.

For bio lovers, you can go to the bioculture festival which takes place at the sant jordi palace (passeig olímpic 5-7) at the same time as the comic show. For more information, check its official website (no english).

The first saturday is celebrated the day of the trade in the Gracia district. It sounds something very commercial and it is because the goal is to promote local shops but people can see some traditional events like the dance and the parade of the giants.

Looking for some free outdoor concerts during 3 days, don’t miss the odissea festival which takes place at the maremagnum, precisely at the odisea square between the 2nd thursday to saturday. To know the full programs, visit its official website.

To pay tribute to Saint Pontius, patron saint of the herbalists and beekeepers, every 11 there is the san poncio fair celebrated in the Ciutat Vella, Poblesec and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi districts. You will find natural products like herbs, spices, honey, cheese and other interesting things but also some traditional events like the castellers (human castle), the sardana dance, procession… In Ciutat Vella, go particularly to the hospital and rambla del raval streets, in Poblesec, at the bella dorita square and in Sarrià, at the sant vicenç de sarrià and mañé i flaqué squares.

Talking about the districts, there is an interesting art event called tallers oberts (workshop opening) celebrated in different areas. During 3 days, all artists and artisans will open their workshop in order to show to the people how they work and they will do some free classes for everyone who wants to participate. In the Poblesec, from the 2nd friday to sunday. In the Ciutat Vella, from the 3rd friday to sunday. And in the Poblenou, from the 4th friday to sunday. Check its official website (only catalan) for the full program.

If you are looking for traditional festivals, there are 11, it is the neighborhood party. I will just put the days so for more information, just cick on its name to be redirected to its official website (only catalan).

• festival of Sagrera during 4 days from the 1st thursday
• festival of Bon Pastor during 1 week from the 1st friday
• festival of Navas during 1 week from the 1st friday
• festival of Nou Barris during 1 week from the 1st friday
• festival of Congrés i Indians only 1 day the 2nd saturday
• festival of Porta during 1 week from the 2nd sunday
• festival of Prosperitat during 4 days from the 3rd thursday
• festival of Fort Pienc during 1 week from the last thursday
• festival of Can Baró during 1 week from the last friday
• festival of Trinitat Vella during 1 week from the last friday
• festival of Teixonera during 1 week from the last saturday

For people who love opera, the liceu theater (la rambla 51-59) opens its door totally free during 1 day, normally the 2nd sunday from 10h until 18h for the celebration of the european opera days. To know more, read my topic Great theatre of Liceu.

And for those who love museums, don’t miss the night of the museums which is celebrated the 3rd saturday from 19h until 1h. During 6 hours, you will visit free all museums you can. For more information, here its official website (no english).

May is also a month of alternative movies like the online flash film festival, in short words OFFF from the 3rd thursday to saturday. The screen festival from the 3rd thursday to the first saturday of june and the human rights film festival from the 3rd thursday to tuesday.

The tamborinada is a drum festival more focused for children and it is celebrated in the ciutadella park the 3rd sunday. A lot of activities are organized for kids so if you come in family, don’t miss it and to know more, here its official website (no english).

The Corpus Christi day which is celebrated 60 days after the easter sunday (normally, it falls at the end of the month) in which the tradition is to put an egg on the top of a decorated fountain with flowers and watch it dance. You can see it in the cathedral of Barcelona (plaza seu) or in the Ardiaca House (calle santa llucia).

Looking for the contemporary art, you have to go to the Fira Barcelona Montjuic (plaza espanya) where is celebrated the swab festival from the 4th wednesday until saturday. For more information, check its official website. And to end, the flamenco festival which is celebrated at the same moment than the other at the mercat de les flors theater (calle lleida 59). To know the full programs, go to its official website (no english).