Barcelona Public Holidays List

Monday, April 7, 2025 By BarcelonaFly

So, you’re planning a trip to Barcelona—amazing choice! But hold up… before you start dreaming about churros and Gaudí, there’s one thing you should totally check first: public holidays.

Yep, Barcelona takes its holidays seriously.

Some shops and attractions might close, and on other days, the entire city feels like one big street party.

Here's a simple rundown to help you plan better (and maybe catch a cool parade or two).

1. New Year’s Day
2. Epiphany
3. Good Friday & Easter Monday
4. Labour Day
5. Feast of St John
6. Assumption Day
7. National Day of Catalonia
8. La Mercè
9. Spanish National Day
10. All Saints’ Day
11. Constitution Day
12. Immaculate Conception Day
13. Christmas Day
14. St Stephen’s Day

New Year’s Day – 1 January

It’s the start of the year and the city’s pretty chilled out. Most people spend this day relaxing or recovering from the night before.

Shops and museums? Mostly closed.
Locals usually spend time with family.
If you're around, go for a calm walk and enjoy the quiet streets.

Epiphany – 6 January

This one’s big in Spain. It's the day the Three Wise Men bring gifts to the kids, kinda like a second Christmas.

The night before (Jan 5), catch the **Three Kings Parade** — it’s magical!
Lots of bakeries sell “Roscón de Reyes” — a sweet cake with a surprise inside.
Shops? Closed. Families? Together. Vibe? Cozy.

Good Friday & Easter Monday – Dates Vary

Easter in Barcelona is peaceful and not as over-the-top as in other places, but it’s still meaningful.

On **Good Friday**, you might see religious processions around town.
**Easter Monday** is more about chilling out with family.
Shops and museums might be closed, especially on Good Friday.

Labour Day – 1 May

This is all about workers’ rights — a day off for most people.

No parades, just a day of rest.
Some folks go on a quick getaway.
Shops and offices are generally shut.

Feast of St John – 24 June

Get ready for fireworks and beach parties — this one’s wild!

It’s called **La Nit de Sant Joan** (St. John’s Eve).
Expect bonfires, fireworks, and music everywhere — especially by the beach.
The 24th itself is a public holiday, so recovery day mode is ON.

Assumption Day – 15 August

This mid-August holiday is mostly a chill day for locals and religious folks.

It’s a Catholic celebration of the Virgin Mary.
Don’t expect big parties, but do expect closures.
A good excuse to go explore a quieter Barcelona.

National Day of Catalonia – 11 September

Locally called **La Diada**, this one’s super important for Catalans.

It marks a historic loss during the War of the Spanish Succession, but it’s now about Catalan pride and culture.
You’ll see flags everywhere, plus political events and peaceful marches.
Great time to understand the local identity.

La Mercè – 24 September

This is **Barcelona’s own party**, and it’s awesome!

Honoring Our Lady of Mercy (La Mercè), the city goes full festival mode.
Expect giant puppets, live music, fireworks, and **human towers (Castells)** — it’s wild.
Everything’s lively, and most businesses are closed.

Spanish National Day – 12 October

This is a national holiday across Spain, also called **Hispanic Day**.

Military parades happen in Madrid, but in Barcelona, it’s more low-key.
Still, many businesses and public places close.
Good day to explore the quieter corners of the city.

All Saints’ Day – 1 November

This one’s a peaceful holiday for remembering loved ones who’ve passed.

Cemeteries are visited with flowers — it’s a heartfelt tradition.
Shops? Closed. City? Calm.
You can try “panellets” — sweet little almond-based treats.

Constitution Day – 6 December

Celebrates the day Spain became a democracy again after the dictatorship.

It’s more patriotic than party.
Many locals use the day off to take a mini vacation.
Museums and stores often close, so plan ahead.

Immaculate Conception Day – 8 December

A religious day that kicks off the Christmas vibes in the city.

Lots of people attend mass or relax at home.
You’ll see holiday decorations going up around this time.
Shops may be closed, but the city feels festive.

Christmas Day – 25 December

Classic Christmas! Think cozy vibes, family feasts, and quiet streets.

Shops and attractions? Closed.
Families gather for a big lunch.
Public transport runs on limited schedules.

St Stephen’s Day – 26 December

In Catalonia, Christmas gets an encore.

Another family day with more food and gift-giving.
Not celebrated in all of Spain, but a big deal here.
Great day for relaxing walks — just don’t expect stores to be open.

So there you go — a quick, casual guide to Barcelona’s public holidays! Some are party-packed, others are super chill, but all of them shape the local vibe.

Whether you’re planning museum visits, shopping sprees, or just want to avoid a closed-door day, keeping these holidays in mind will make your trip way smoother.

And hey, if you can catch a giant puppet parade while you're at it...

even better!

Images sources: Wikimedia.org