Popular festivals, music festivals, exhibitions, design, architecture, cinema... Barcelona in October is a powder keg of plans and events (just like the rest of the year). These are the ones you can't miss in 2023.
Barcelona never rests, and even less so in October. Just after saying goodbye to summer, the city continues with its fast-paced rhythm, so it's best to have an agenda handy if you don't want to miss anything. There are still popular festivals to enjoy, but the city's cultural, culinary, and creative offerings multiply. It's clear that here, leisure is a tradition. That's why we've taken the time to carefully select the events and plans you should consider for this October 2023. You're sure to find more than one that suits your taste. Don't rely on others to tell you about it! Consider yourself warned.
SWAB Barcelona (Del 5 al 8 de octubre)
Contemporary art lovers visiting Barcelona in October are in luck. The 16th edition of the Swab fair has a new location and has multiplied its square metres. This time, one of the old pavilions of the 1929 Universal Exhibition will house the collections of 70 galleries, 27 national and 43 from 21 different countries around the world, with more than 200 participating artists in more than 3000 square metres. That's quick to say.
Where: Palau de l'Art Tèxtil (Avinguda Rius i Taulet).
Fiesta Mayor del Barrio de la Barceloneta (until the 9th October)
The popular festivals in Barcelona's different neighbourhoods surprise visitors with their unique character. It's impossible to summarise in a short paragraph everything they have prepared in one of the city's neighbourhoods with the most character, so we recommend you take a look at their programme. Spoiler: gastronomy is one of its main attractions, with the Bomba, the most typical tapa of the neighbourhood, as the protagonist.
Fiesta Mayor de la Rambla (Festes del Roser) From October 7th to October 12th
If there's one street in Barcelona that everyone has crossed, it's La Rambla, which celebrates its Main Festival in October. The Friends of La Rambla Association has been organizing this event since 1961, showcasing the friendliest and most playful side of this famous promenade that leads down to the sea. Flowers, as always, take the spotlight this year with their iconic stalls and floral traditi
Where: La Rambla
Festival de Cine de Sitges (From October 5th to October 15th)
Although it doesn't take place directly in Barcelona, the international stature of this fantastic film festival and its proximity to Barcelona, reachable by a pleasant train ride, make it worthy of inclusion in this list. If you're spending several days in the city, it's worth making the trip to Sitges to catch some of its offerings and, at the same time, get to know this lively coastal town.
Where: Sitges
Open House Barcelona (On October 21st and 22nd)
This architecture festival is already one of the most anticipated events year after year. Thanks to Open House Barcelona, it's possible to access historic or iconic buildings in the city that are normally difficult to visit. You can also learn about the secrets and curiosities of many others through guided tours. This year, the modernist architect Domènech i Montaner will be the central figure. You can find all the information on their website to register for the visits that interest you. Note: 128 buildings will be open.
Mercat de Mercats (From October 20th to October 22nd)
Gastronomy is a form of culture for the people of Catalonia. And when the ingredients and flavors are local, it becomes even more significant. This 'market of markets' brings together in one space, Plaza Catalunya, the most delicious stalls from the entire region, with sustainability and food utilization at its core. It's a perfect opportunity to experience Catalan products firsthand
Where: Plaza de Cataluña
Festival Ciutat Flamenco (From October 13th to November 5th)
Flamenco is also an integral part of Barcelona's essence, as confirmed by the success of this festival in the city, which is celebrating its 30th edition this year. Esteemed names and emerging talents are all part of an essential lineup for those who appreciate the magic of a Spanish guitar, a flamenco stage, and passionate singing. Check here for the dates and artists.
Voll Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival (From September 18th to December 30th)
Considering Barcelona's diverse tastes, jazz will also be present throughout the month of October with the Voll Damm Jazz Barcelona festival. A global reference in the genre, it extends until the end of the year, balancing heavyweight performers in the jazz world with new, more ambitious lineups each year.
Fixing The Future (October 12th, 13th, and 14th at Disseny Hub Barcelona)
Barcelona is a city that looks to the future, and sometimes, it feels like it's already living in it. Festivals like Fixing The Future exemplify this spirit, bringing together the world's top 25 projects aimed at improving our future. From harnessing artificial intelligence to agricultural innovation and creative recycling, it's all showcased at Disseny Hub Barcelona, another essential spot in the city.
Where: Disseny Hub Barcelona
Enjoy the best theater with Hotel Pulitzer (From October 16th to October 19th)
Barcelona's cultural offerings are vast. That's why it's essential to plan your trip well in advance to make sure you don't miss out on anything. Theater, of course, is one of the most popular disciplines in the city, with a calendar full of premieres. Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona knows that its guests love to see what happens behind the curtain, which is why they offer a 15% discount on the room rate for those who present their ticket to any of the city's theaters for the same evening. The perfect plan: theater and a night at a charming hotel. (Remember, you need to make your reservation directly with the hotel to take advantage of this opportunity, either by phone or via email).
Festival LEM 2023 (From October 5th to October 28th)
Experimental music isn't for everyone, but those who appreciate it have the LEM festival as a remarkable entity. Once again, this event takes over various spaces in Gràcia and the rest of the city with 23 otherworldly performances. Are you up for it?
