The Esquerra de l’Eixample neighbourhood festival starts on Friday 28 September and brings the city ten days packed with activities. The exercise yard at the former Model prison is the new venue for the opening speech, to be given by Dory Sontheimer, author of the book Les set caixes, an account of how she discovered her…

Every year the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB) opens up to the public on the first Saturday in October. Scientists and staff at the PRBB will be explaining what the centre does and visitors will be able to see the labs and equipment used there. There will also be a chance to conduct experiments and…

La Rambla is holding its local festival, in honour of the Mare de Déu del Roser, from 5 to 11 October. One of the main acts is ‘La Rambla en flor’, which sees thirty iconic buildings in the avenue decorated with flowers and open to the public. There will be floral decorations at the Arts…

The Barcelona Triathlon has been known to draw as many as six thousand athletes from all over the world. The next edition of this popular sports event combining swimming, road cycling and running is on Sunday 7 October. The minimum age to be able to take part is 15. Participants can choose from three difficulty…

The fire run for La Mercè is the city’s traditional big fire event. Dozens of devils groups and infernal beasts get together beforehand in the heart of the old city to the sound of drums. A spectacular occasion when drums and flying sparks fill the Via Laietana from Pl. Antoni Maura to Pl. Antonio López,…

This year is the 25th anniversary of the ‘Toc d’Inici’, the opening dance for the city’s local festival, as well as the centenary of the Gegants Nous de la Casa de la Caritat, also known as the Gegants de Corpus. As ever, spectators will be able to see these giant figures dance as they come…

Four days of festivities and tradition, with Lisbon as the guest city and an extensive programme to enjoy for Barcelona’s local festival. Festivities for La Mercè start on Friday 21 September, with the opening speech by the actress Letícia Dolera, and end on Monday 24 September with the music and fireworks spectacular. As ever, tradition…

The city’s human towers groups take centre stage for this gathering on Monday 24 September. The Barcelona, Sants, Vila de Gràcia, Sagrada Família, Poble-sec and Colla Jove human towers groups, as well as the Sarrià group (re-formed this year for the festival), will once again be demonstrating that although the tradition originates from the south…

The Mediterràniament stage, located at Bogatell beach, will be offering evening concerts on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September, with some of the finest voices from the rich and diverse indy music scene covering pop-rock, rumba fusion, funk and many other styles. The first night sees performances from Love of Lesbian, back at the Mercè…

Lisbon’s traditions are on display on the stairs at the Palau de la Virreina, with an exhibition of the Tron de Sant Antoni tradition and the International Folklore Meeting, featuring the Grupo Etnográfico Danças e Cantares do Minho. Fados will also play a part in the Mercè Música festival in Av. Catedral, with the voice of…