What to do in Barcelona in September 2026?
Agenda of festivals and cultural events in September 2026
Barcelona Agenda September 2026
- In September, Barcelona offers a multitude of activities and events that are perfect for enjoying the city in the late-summer sunshine, such as the World Capital of Architecture, Barcelona Gallery Weekend, the Magic Fountain shows, and Casa Batlló evening events.
- But also more institutional events like Catalonia’s National Day, La Mercè, and neighborhood festivals.
Extreme Barcelona
Extreme Barcelona is the must-see festival for extreme sports enthusiasts. For three days, the city will pulse with daring tricks and spectacular performances in BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading, and motocross. This international festival celebrates not only adrenaline and boldness, but also urban lifestyle and innovation. Whether you’re a spectator or a participant, get ready to be dazzled by the energy and talent of the athletes on site.
La Diada of September 11 – September 11, 2026
Also known as the Diada Nacional de Catalunya, it is Catalonia’s National Day. It is celebrated every year on September 11 and commemorates the fall of Barcelona in 1714, during the War of the Spanish Succession, to the troops of Philip V of Bourbon. This event marked the end of Catalan institutions and the territory’s independence. What the Diada means today: The Diada has become a symbolic day for the expression of Catalan identity and, in recent decades, for demands in favor of autonomy or independence for Catalonia. The day is marked by gatherings, political demonstrations, concerts, and other cultural and commemorative events throughout Catalonia.
What you can see during the Diada:
- Demonstrations and parades: The streets of Barcelona, especially around the city center and Parc de la Ciutadella, fill with pro-independence marches.
- Floral offerings: Many citizens and political representatives lay flowers at monuments dedicated to the heroes of 1714, such as the one honoring Rafael Casanova in Barcelona.
- Cultural events: Concerts, street performances, and traditional events take place in several neighborhoods.
What visitors should know:
Closures: Many shops, restaurants, museums, and other institutions may be closed or have reduced hours on this day.
Traffic: Expect traffic disruptions, especially in central Barcelona, due to gatherings.
La Mercè
La Mercè is Barcelona’s most iconic festival, celebrating the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy (La Mare de Déu de la Mercè). Expect parades, free concerts, street performances, fireworks, and traditional events like the “castellers” (human towers) and the “correfoc” (fire-run parade). Where? All over the city, but especially in the Gothic Quarter, Plaça de Sant Jaume, and Parc de la Ciutadella.
>> La Mercè
Neighborhood Festes Majors
In September, several Barcelona neighborhoods celebrate their Festes Majors, popular festivals deeply rooted in local traditions.
- Poblenou: from September 6 to 15, the neighborhood comes alive with concerts, craft markets, and typically Catalan activities.
- Horta: during the same period, from September 6 to 15, the streets of Horta host a varied program of cultural events and festivities for all ages.
- Barceloneta: from September 27 to October 6, this seaside neighborhood highlights its heritage with sea shanty evenings (habaneras) and correfoc shows—spectacular parades of fire and music.
Barcelona Gallery Weekend September 17–20, 2026
An annual event dedicated to contemporary art, during which Barcelona’s art galleries open their doors with special exhibitions, guided tours, and meetings with artists. It’s a must-attend event for art lovers and industry professionals.
Galleries participating this year:
ProjecteSD - Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Unrealized Projects
LUCE - Searching where there is nothing
Sala Parés - Carlos Forns (Liber Naturae)
RocioSantaCruz - Dionis Escorsa
SELTZ by Ritter Ferrer - Cristina de Middel
Iván Forcadell - No Título
Suburbia Contemporary - Giovanni Ozzola (Life and Death Are Wearing Me Down, The Lake of Unknown)
Taché Art Gallery - Javier Pérez (Genometrías)
Victor Lope Arte Contemporáneo - Clara Adolphs (Through the Trees)
Zielinsky - Marcelo Brodsky (Traces of Violence)
>> https://www.barcelonagalleryweekend.com/
Barcelona 2026, World Capital of Architecture
All year long, Barcelona is World Capital of Architecture 2026, a title awarded by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects. Exhibitions, tours, debates, installations, and events across the city celebrate its unique architectural heritage and invite reflection on the future of cities—balancing innovation, sustainability, and quality of life. 1,500+ events running through December 13, 2026 celebrate architecture as a cultural and urban driving force in Barcelona.
Most of these events are free—take advantage!
In September:
- Architecture exhibitions exploring Barcelona’s urban identity, contemporary projects, and future challenges (supported by museums and cultural centers).
- Urban routes and guided tours in different neighborhoods to discover architectural heritage in everyday life.
Throughout the year:
- Open Day / Open-house days, such as those at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion (Pavilion Day): every first Sunday of the month, special openings of iconic buildings or heritage structures, allowing the public to visit and understand their design and role in the urban space.
- Workshops, conferences, and debates around the capital’s major themes—sustainability, housing, public space, etc.—aimed at both the general public and professionals.
- Specialized thematic tours (for example on timber architecture, rehabilitation, or urban design) scheduled throughout the month and open to all ages.
>> Barcelona Capital Mundial de l’Arquitectura 2026
Flamenco show at Los Tarentos
Los Tarantos, Barcelona’s oldest flamenco tablao located on Plaça Reial, offers a varied program with daily shows highlighting different facets of flamenco. Choose between the show only or show + tapas.
>>> Los Tarantos
The Magic Fountains of Montjuïc
The Magic Fountains of Montjuïc (Font Màgica de Montjuïc) are a spectacular set of fountain shows located between Plaça d’Espanya and the Palau Nacional in Barcelona. Sound, light, and water-jet show: the main fountain features a synchronized spectacle of colorful water jets, lights, and music, attracting thousands of visitors each week. Created for the 1929 International Exposition, they have become one of the city’s most famous nighttime attractions.
The usual fountain schedule is:
- June to September: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- October: Thursday to Saturday, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- November to March: Thursday to Saturday, 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Each show lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and starts every 30 minutes. Entry is free and no ticket is required.
Barcelona night tour by tourist bus (until mid-September 2026)
Discover Barcelona’s most beautiful landmarks at night, in cooler air.
> 1h 40 min round trip in an open-top double-decker bus
> Guided night tour of Barcelona
> Free Wi-Fi
> Departure and return: “Plaça de Catalunya”.
>> Your tickets for the night tour by tourist bus
Magical evening at Casa Batlló: visit and concert
Enjoy a magical evening at Casa Batlló by discovering Gaudí’s sea-inspired architecture, then taking in an enchanting concert on the dragon’s rooftop under the stars.
Dinner under the stars at Fabra Observatory until October 4, 2026
What if you combined gastronomy and astronomy for an unforgettable evening? From May to October, Fabra Observatory invites you to enjoy a refined open-air dinner facing Barcelona, before exploring the mysteries of the night sky through a telescope.
Temporary exhibitions
Explore the architecture of Gaudí : Visit Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà (La Pedrera). The late-summer weather is perfect for admiring these iconic buildings.
>>> For even more ideas, visit our page Things to do in Barcelona, which summarizes all the must-see attractions in the Catalan capital!
Weather in Barcelona in September September in Barcelona is generally one of the most pleasant months. There are fewer tourists and the weather is radiant. Temperatures are still warm, but they start to drop. Rainfall is low and days are sunny. Average temperatures are around 23°C, and average lows are around 18°C.