Events

Barcelona and the rest of Spain have heaps of reasons to celebrate. They break a New Year with a Carnival party—with masked people partying in the streets, eating the traditional 12-grapes-in-the-last-12-seconds-of-the-old-year for good luck, as everywhere else in Spain. Then, on January 5th is the procession of the Three Magi, who bring presents to the children next morning.

Just a few other mentionables:

April, 23rd - The festival of Sant Jordi, Catalonia's patron, among the most spectacular events where people offer a rose and/or book. Book stands cram main shopping streets.

June is festival glut: Corpus Christi with processions of traditional and very picturesque masks, and "l'ou com balla" the festival of the "dancing egg" around the cathedral; Sant Joan, a pre-christian celebration with fire, fireworks and parties in every street, quarter, town and village of Catalonia; the festival of Grec with open-air concerts and dance performances, specially in the "Greek Theater" of Montjuic; Eve of Saint John's, the summer solstice celebration with big bonfires, firecrackers and fireworks, the traditional "coca de Sant Joan" (a pastry).

Festes de la Merce in Barcelona - Barcelona's biggest annual festival happens every 24th of September and lasts for 3 days, to honor Mare de Deu de la Merce, Barcelona’s patron saint, by way of fire-breathing dragons, costumed devils, human pyramids, pyrotechnical music show (fireworks and classical music in synch with the Montjuïc fountains), and attended by Sardana dance groups, orchestras, DJs and big name bands.

Winter doesn’t stop festivals. There are opera performances, concerts in the "Palau de la Musica." On December 13th, the romantic expositions of Christmas cribs.

Catalonian customs and traditions that have been practiced since forever and are quite commonplace and extremely entertaining: Sardanas: traditional Catalan dance in front of the cathedral every Sunday; Castellers: human towers up to 9 "floors" high.

http://www.red2000.com/spain/barcelon/night.html
http://www.red2000.com/spain/barcelon/fest.html
http://www.aboutbarcelona.com/barcelona/traditions.asp
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-tour.html
http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Destinos/Provincias/I/CP/0/Barcelona.htm...