Festival of Gracia 2019
- When: 15–21 August
- Where: The Gràcia district. Get there via local rail (Gràcia station); Metro Line 3: Diagonal, Fontana, Lesseps; Metro Line 4: Verdaguer, Joanic; Metro Line 5: Diagonal, Verdaguer.
- Price: Free
- Website: Official website for the festival (Catalan)
In this article you'll find a detailed summary of the most important activities that take place during the Festivals of Gràcia — known as Les Festes de Gràcia. If you need more information, you can find it on their official Facebook or Twitter page.
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From 15 August, over seven days of activities for all ages will take place continuously. The festival has a special ambience and there will be food and refreshments in the streets at affordable prices.
Excursions in Barcelona
To make the most of Barcelona and fill your trip with unforgettable experiences and emotions, we offer you the excursions through the Catalan capital organized by our friends - the GetYourGuide team. Choose your excursion and fall in love with Barcelona:
History
The festivals started in 1817, or at least that's the earliest recorded date historians have about the festival. That means this year is the second centenary of the festival, marking 200 years. Said malcontent was reflected in the decoration of the streets, concerts titled Nova Canço Catalana (New Catalan Song) and carrying out traditional Catalan activities.
During the dictatorship of Franco, the festival had a malcontented tone that was in favour of democracy and Catalan culture during a time of Catalan suppression.
If you come to visit Barcelona, we advise you to stay in an apartment in the Gracia neighborhood. In this way, you will be close to everything, save and gain comfort.
The Festivals of Gràcia, known as Les Festes de Gràcia is the most important festival in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. It is easily one of the most popular celebrations in Barcelona amongst locals and tourists alike. The origins of the festival date back to the 19th century, but today it's still attracting thousands of people each year.
Street decorations
The biggest attraction of the festival are the street decorations around the neighbourhood, each with a different theme. Various streets battle it out for the most original decorations and the best takes the annual prize. This all results in some very creative transformations.
Handmade ornamental elements fill all corners of Gracia. They are true works of art, made by the area's own neighbours, which flood their streets with colour, life and art. Each street chooses its own theme. They use any recycled and recyclable material at their disposal, such as paper, coloured paperboard and bottles.
This practice can be tracked to the beginning of the 20th Century, with evidence that spectacular scenery was staged along the streets, including pieces from important artists of the time. In 1935, the Comitè de Fires i Festes (Fairs and Festivals Committee) was created, the precursor to Federació de la Festa Major de Gràcia (Festa Major de Gracia Federation). In 1975, only five streets were decorated, but little by little the tradition was recovering. Today there are countless streets that are decorated with a different theme every year.
Sardana dances
This traditional Catalan circle dance is accompanied by a live music. Participants hold hands — usually alternating between sexes — and dance in light movements.
The dance can vary in number of participants and doesn't require great physical condition outside of competitive styles, making it very accessible for anyone wishing to take part. It's a rather simplistic dance so that it's open to everyone to join in, which is why it's so popular.
Castellers day
Teams of Castellers form human castle towers that can sometimes reach 10 people in height. During the Gracia Festivals you can see these human towers being formed live. The teams that you will normally see here are the Castllers de Barcelona, Xiquets de Reus, Castellers de Vilafranca and Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia. The organization in charge is the Castellers de Barcelona.
Meeting and dance of the Gegants
Gegants is Catalan for giants. They are huge effigies that are controlled by a person underneath them. The local Gegants will meet, dance and parade with various others from around Barcelona and Catalonia.
Gegants Parade Route
- Leaves from Plaça de la Vila
- Carrer de Mozart
- Carrer de Jesús
- Gran de Gràcia
- Carrer de Luis Antúnez
- Carrer de Vic
- Carrer de Sant Cristòfol
- Plaça de la Llibertat
- Carrer de Berga
- Rambla del Prat
- Gran de Gràcia
- Carrer d'Astúries
- Travessia de Sant Antoni
- Carrer de Maspons
- Carrer de Sant Joaquim
- Travessera de Gràcia
- Carrer de Matilde
- Finishes back at Plaça de la Vila
Correfoc
Correfoc means 'Firerun'. It's a parade in which Diables (devils) run and dance through the streets spreading sparks and fireworks. There is a percussion band that follows, pulsing out rhythmic and trance-like beats. The devils attempt to scare onlookers by waving fire tridents toward them. There is a child-friendly correfoc for children that's a little less intense.
Various local groups usually take part this correfoc. There's the Drac de Gràcia, Gaudiamus (an effigy of the dragon at Park Güell), Atzeries, Colla Vella de Diables de Gràcia, Diabólica de Gràcia, Maléfica del Coll and other invited guests. Be sure to go dressed appropriately in long-sleeved 100% cotton clothes, no shorts, don't get in the way of the parade and don't wear hair spray!
Correfoc route
- Leaves from Carrer de Sant Domènec
- Carrer de Sant Pere Màrtir
- Carrer de Pere Serafí
- Carrer de Ros de Olano
- Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla
- Carrer de l'Or
- Carrer de Verdi
- Carrer de la Perla
- Carrer de Torrijos
- Travessera de Gràcia
- Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla
- Carrer del Diluvi
- Parade ends at Plaça de la Vila for the finale
Excursions in Barcelona
To make the most of Barcelona and fill your trip with unforgettable experiences and emotions, we offer you the excursions through the Catalan capital organized by our friends - the GetYourGuide team. Choose your excursion and fall in love with Barcelona:
Concerts 2019
We are still waiting for the concert schedule for the Fiesta Mayor de Gracia 2019.
They are considered to be one of the most vibrant and well-known festivals in the entire city. Did you know it's not the only one in the city? In fact, every neighbourhood has a Festa Major, so practically every day of the year in Barcelona sees one (full schedule of the major festivals in Barcelona here).
Video of the Gracia festival last year
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