The timetable for the August 2009 Gracia festival has now been published.  You can download it at the official site here, although it is in catalan only.

As promised, however, the key events (in English) are:

• Castellers – the human castle competitions:  Tuesday 18th at 10.30am and (the main event) 8.30pm on Thursday 20th August. The Castellers will be in the Placa de la Vila de Gracia, which until very recently was called Placa Rius i Taulet (it still appears on most maps that way).  Map here.
• Parade of giants and other participants – from 12.45 pm onwards, Saturday 15th August. The parade weaves through various streets, but also at least touches on Placa de la Vila de Gracia too.
• Carrefoc – a fireworks inspired march through the streets, headed by a flaming dragon.  From 10pm on Friday 21st August.  The Carrefoc starts at Placa Trilla, near Fontana metro, then goes via Placa del Nord, Placa del Diamant, Placa del Sol and ends up at the Placa de la Vila de Gracia.

These are just the highlights – there are hundreds of other, more local, street events going on over the week. Download the guide or pick one up from any of the squares during the festival.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

One of the highlights of the year in Spanish towns and villages is the annual fiesta – from the famous bull run of Pamplona to the crazy tomato throwing festival in Bunyol, Valencia, each has it’s own unique character and flavour.  The neighbourhoods of Barcelona (towns in their own right before the expansion of Barcelona a mere 200 years ago) are no exception and Gracia, with it’s young, party-loving vibe, has long been the best.

The Festa Major de Gracia takes place this year 15th – 20th August.  The streets themselves are elabourately and colourfully decorated, the residents competing for prizes at the end of the week, and a huge range of events are staged, most involving large quantities of food and drink. Read more »

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!