Barceloneta is celebrating its ‘festa major’

Sant Miquel del Port (Saint Michael of the Port) is the patron saint of the neighbourhood of Barceloneta, so its local holiday is his feast day, 29 September. This area of Barcelona, a traditional fishing district which also has an important working-class and artisan past, continues to celebrate its festival by holding onto tradition while adding other activities so that everyone enjoys it. The neighbourhood was built in 1753 on land reclaimed from the sea to house the inhabitants of La Ribera who had lost their homes after Philip V built the Ciutadella. In 1855, a festival was created to celebrate the centennial, and thus the Festa Major de la Barceloneta was born. Some of the things that are never missing from the celebrations are sardana dances, Habanera songs, the correfoc (fire runs) and the cercavila (parade) with the giants Pep Barceló and Maria la Néta. One of the activities that sparks the most passion in the neighbourhood is the cannon cercavila, in which a man disguised as a Napoleonic general walks through the streets and squares of Barceloneta shooting candy with a cannon for all the children to catch.

The Festa Major de la Barceloneta will be held from 25 to 29 September around the entire neighbourhood at different times. In addition to these dates, other activities will be held on the days around the festival. Check the programme to make sure you don’t miss any activities that interest you.

All the activities in the celebration are free of charge. You’ll find more information on the Cultura Popular website.