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Santa Eulàlia 2026 in Barcelona: dates, correfoc, open days and a draw for Sagrada Família tickets
Giants, popular culture, open days and a nod to Carnival. Barcelona celebrates its co-patron saint with four days of festivities that mix tradition, street life and free plans. Here is the definitive Santa Eulàlia guide, designed so that you miss nothing and enjoy the city like a true Barcelona woman.
Santa Eulàlia 2026 in Barcelona: complete guide with times to experience the winter annual festival
Barcelona has two major annual festivals: La Mercè in summer and the winter one.
The February festival is Santa Eulàlia, co-patron saint of the city, and it shows in the atmosphere: less overcrowding, more neighbourhood life, and a historic centre filled with popular culture from early morning until late at night.
In 2026, the Santa Eulàlia festivities take place from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 February, with activities mainly spread around Ciutat Vella, though they also reach other neighbourhoods.
If you fancy seeing Barcelona in authentic mode — giants, grallas, castells and fire — this is one of the best weekends to do it.
Key dates (so you do not miss out)
Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 February 2026
Events throughout the day: from morning wake-up performances to correfocs and concerts at night
Free programme, with limited capacity in some spaces
Thursday 12 February: the official opening
The first day brings together some of the festival’s most symbolic moments.
In the morning
09:00 Parade of the Gegantona Laia, from Palau de la Virreina to plaça Sant Jaume
09:45 Placement of the Santa Eulàlia banner in plaça Sant Jaume, with Laia’s dance
In the afternoon
18:00 Carillon recital from Palau de la Generalitat (heard through the streets of the Gòtic)
18:30 Start of the Passejada de les Laies, one of the festival’s most cherished processions
18:30 Sardanas in plaça Sant Jaume
At night
20:25 End of the Passejada de les Laies and the Ball de Santa Eulàlia
20:40 Taronjada, dance of the Carnival giants and fireworks display
Friday 13 February: solemn tradition and a young night
A day that combines institutional events, popular memory and music.
Afternoon
18:30 Concert by the municipal music schools in plaça Sant Jaume
20:00 Protocols de l’Àliga, with a ceremonial procession to Santa Maria del Mar and the Àliga’s final dance
Night
22:00 Concert by La Coixinera, as part of the Tradicionàrius programme
Lali Jove
From 19:00, anti-racist and decolonial cultural parade
On avenida de la Catedral: reading of the manifesto, BarnaJove awards, concerts by Bigwé, Flashy Ice Cream and Les que Faltaband, and a DJ Soumeya set until the early hours
Saturday 14 February: family day and a double helping of fire
It is the most intense day and the most complete one if you are going with children.
In the morning
10:00 Gathering of bastoneres groups, with a street parade
10:30 Children’s sardana gathering
12:00 Display by children’s and youth esbarts on avenida de la Catedral
In the afternoon
16:00 Display of children’s giants
17:00 – 18:45 Dances and parades of children’s giants
18:30 Children’s correfoc (Petits Diables and Bestias Pequeñas)
At night
20:00 Start of the Santa Eulàlia Correfoc
20:45 End of the correfoc with a fire show
21:45 ROS concert
Also during the day:
Open house at Barcelona City Hall, from 10:00 to 20:00
Sunday 15 February: castells and the grand closing
The final day is more ceremonial and highly visual.
In the morning
08:00 Morning performances by grallers
10:00 Falcons de Barcelona
11:30 Santa Eulàlia Casteller Day, with colles from across the city
Midday
13:00 Arrival of the Seguici de Santa Eulàlia
13:30 Final dances by Laia, the Àliga and the city’s giants
In the afternoon
16:00 Double sardanas in plaça Sant Jaume
19:00 Commemorative events marking 425 years of the Gegants del Pi
Closing
20:30 “Santa Eulàlia en concert de Banda” concert
Exhibitions and indoor culture
Perfect for alternating with the street or sheltering from the cold:
“Laies, les gegantes” exhibition at Palau de la Virreina (7 to 14 February)
Children’s Bestiary and Children’s Giants at Born CCM (until 13 February)
Permanent exhibition of festive imagery at Casa de los Entremesos
Free tickets to the Sagrada Família (by lottery)
During Santa Eulàlia, 8,500 free tickets are raffled to visit the Sagrada Família on 14 and 15 February, in the afternoon.
You need to register in advance and wait for confirmation.
Practical tips
Choose 2 or 3 key events per day and leave room for improvisation
For correfocs: closed footwear and cotton clothing
If you are going with children, Saturday is the most complete day
Keep this mental axis in mind: Virreina – Sant Jaume – Catedral – Plaça Reial – Born
A festival to feel Barcelona from within
Santa Eulàlia does not have the crowds of La Mercè, and that is precisely why it draws you in.
It is a neighbourhood, street and community festival, ideal for seeing living tradition without filters.
If you are in Barcelona in February, set aside at least one afternoon: giants, grallas, castells, fire and music in the middle of winter.
Miriam Lado
DondeGo Barcelona