The Gràcia 2023 festivities will be held from August 15 to 21: we offer you a guide to the main festival that will be constantly updated until then!
Everything is ready for the Gràcia 2023 festivities. This festival is one of the most important of the summer in Barcelona. It is known, among other aspects, for the contest of decorated streets, which the neighborhood prepares throughout the year. Are you thinking of enjoying the Gràcia 2023 festivities? Here you have a guide with the program, concerts, dates, the themes of the decorations of each street and everything you need to know about the festival.
What is the Fiesta Mayor de Gracia
The Fiesta Mayor de Gracia is a traditional and vibrant festival held annually in the Gracia district of Barcelona. This week-long celebration is one of the most anticipated events on the city’s cultural calendar, attracting both locals and tourists from around the world.
Gracia neighborhood in Barcelona
Origins and History of the Fiesta Mayor of Gracia
The Fiesta Mayor de Gracia has its roots in the early nineteenth century, when the neighborhood was known as an independent village outside the city of Barcelona. At that time, it was primarily a farming community with a close-knit population. Initially, the festival began as a religious celebration dedicated to the patron saint of the area, San Roque.
Over time, the festival evolved, incorporating elements of Catalan culture, traditions and a strong sense of community. Today, it shows the artistic and creative spirit of the Gracia neighborhood.
Activities and Entertainment
The Fiesta Mayor de Gracia offers endless activities and entertainment for all ages. Throughout the week, you can enjoy concerts, live music performances, theater shows, dance exhibitions and traditional dances such as the sardana. Street performers also entertain the crowd, showcasing their talent and contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Sports enthusiasts can participate in various competitions and games, such as basketball, soccer and traditional Catalan sports like castells (construction of human towers) and correfocs (fire races). These unique Catalan traditions are exciting to witness and are an integral part of the festive celebration.
Strolling around Gracia’s main party – Video
Poster of the Festa Major de Gracia 2023
The visual artist Gina Pont has been selected as the author of the poster for the Gràcia 2023 festivities. The image, unveiled on March 28, captures various aspects of the celebration. The composition shows the hands and tools of the volunteers who make the festive decorations, as well as emblematic elements of popular culture such as the characteristic scarf of the castellers, and the expressions of Torradet and Gresca, the colossal protagonists of the festival.
Schedule of the Gracia Festival 2023
Schedule of the Gracia Festival 2023This year’s Festa Major de Gràcia, as in 2022, will go off without a hitch, allowing for full celebrations. Activities and concerts will be scheduled throughout the day and sometimes into the wee hours of the morning.
Program of the Festa Major de Gràcia and activities
More than 900 events have been organized for the seven days of celebration in various streets and squares, from August 15 to 21. Below, we highlight some of the unmissable suggestions. If you wish, you can access the complete program through the FMGràcia360 application.
Program of activities of the Festa Major de Gracia 2023
Tuesday, August 15:
- Parade in the morning of the Fiesta Mayor. From the Plaza de la Villa. This year during the Festa Major Morning will take place the presentation of the new festive figure in Gràcia: El Bou de Gràcia.
- 18.15 h: the XXIII Popular Culture Parade will also take place.
Wednesday, August 16:
- On Wednesday, August 16, two plaques will be unveiled at 81 Verdi Street and 21 Mozart Street in recognition of the work of the guarneceras and guarnecedores of these two streets.
Friday, August 18:
- Paseo de Gegantons
- 20 h: walking pillar from the Plaza del Sol to the Plaza de la Vila.
- 8.30 p.m.: castellera day
Saturday, August 19:
- The guest with the Giants of Gracia and the Giants of Sallent.
- 18 h: castellera diada of Fiesta Mayor, with the Castellers de la Villa de Gràcia, the Colla Jóvenes Niños de Valls and the Children of Reus. Plaza de la Villa de Gracia
Monday, August 21:
- 19.15 h: correfoc
What are the correfoc – VIDEO
Visits to the air-raid shelter in Revolució square
During the festivities, guided tours will be conducted in the air raid shelter at the Plaza Revolucion. These visits will be limited to 15 people, with a duration of 30 minutes and a cost of 3€. Throughout the holidays, an information point will be available at the Plaça del Diamant to manage reservations. In addition, a telephone number and e-mail address will be available for those interested in exploring the space at other times of the year. The History Workshop website will also provide details about times and days.
In addition, excursions have been scheduled to the shelter of the Diamant square to the Campanar Tower.
Campanar Tower
Gràcia Festival Concerts 2023
Tuesday, August 15
- 10.30 p.m.: FETUS Concert, La Sierra de los perdidos
- 0 h: PD ROS
Wednesday, August 16
- 11 a 13 h: Traditional games
- 19 h: Show for all audiences AMBAUKA, Peti qui pete!
- 22.35 h: Kabum
- 23 h: Concert BALKAN PARADISE ORCHESTRA, Catarsis
Thursday, August 17th
- 11 a 13 h: Traditional games
- 19 h: Dance workshop with Joan Codina
- 21.15 h: Kabum
- 21.30 h: Ball folk LOS ELEMENTOS
- 11.15 p.m.: Kabum
- 23.30 h: Ball folk LA PORTÁTIL FM
Friday, August 18th
- 12 noon: Show for all audiences LANDRY, Atrévete
- 19 h: Rumba and hand clapping workshop by Arrels de Gràcia
- 21.45 h: Kabum
- 22 h: Concert RAÍCES DE GRACIA, La rumba de Barcelona
- 11.45 p.m.: Kabum
- 0 h: PD House Aboriginal
Saturday, August 19
- 19 h: Show for all audiences FOLKIDS
- 22 h: Concert LA TROUPE, Ca l’Amparito
- 0 h: PD Mussol
Sunday, August 20
- 11 a 13 h: Traditional games
- 11 a.m.: Advanced level glossing workshop (tenths) at the District’s headquarters.
- 13 h: Vermouth glosso in the Caracol Graciós organized by the Association Cor de Carxofa
- 5:00 p.m.: Introductory workshop on glosa with the Artichoke Choir at the District headquarters.
- 19 h: Combat of Glosa
- 21.45 h: Kabum
- 22 h: Concert TESA AND JONATAN PENALBA, Rap d’Arrel
- 11.45 p.m.: Kabum
- 0 h: PD Catcallis
Monday, August 21, 2023
- 18 h: Tambourine workshop with NAMORALA PANDERETEIRAS
- 20 h: Concert show with NAMORALA PANDERETEIRAS
- 22 h: Concert Desconecta ZESC
- 23.30 h: Gralla dance CUATROVIENTOS, Gralla dance
