The Fiestas de Gracia

The Fiestas de Gracia in the city of Barcelona (from August 15th to 21st), also known as the "Festa Major de Gràcia," originated in the 19th century. They began as a religious celebration in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption, whose feast day is August 15th. Over time, they evolved into a secular, community-focused event centered on the participation of the neighborhood's residents. As the neighborhood grew and developed (it was annexed to Barcelona in 1897), the festivities gradually took on the form they have today.

The tradition of "decorating the streets" was born during this period. Residents started to adorn the streets with recycled materials as part of the celebrations. This practice became more established over the years and turned into the main feature of the festival, leading to the creation of a competition to choose the best-decorated street. Neighbors work for months to create the most impressive decorations, using recycled materials to transform the neighborhood into a world of fantasy.

In addition to the spectacular decorations, the festival features concerts, dancing, workshops for all ages, communal meals, "castellets" (human towers), "correfocs" (fire runs), and many activities for both young and old. 

¡It’s a must-see event if you're in Barcelona in August!

You can check the 2024 program at the following link.