Festa major de la Dreta de l’Eixample

Activity dates

Dates de celebració

Last weekend of May or first of June

The Eixample is the result of Barcelona's growth in the 19th and 20th centuries and the architectural plan of Ildefons Cerdà in particular, a plan that was gradually implemented between 1860 and the first half of the last century. The district is made up of five neighbourhoods (Esquerra de l’Eixample, Dreta de l’Eixample, Fort Pienc, Sant Antoni and Sagrada Família) and it was built during the height of the Modernista period, so a large number of its buildings are in this style.

Since Modernisme is a characteristic trait of the area's architecture, the Dreta de l’Eixample wanted to make it the central feature of its festa major, and so it has been since 2004. The Modernista fair stands out with its period products but there is also a Modernista bike ride, with riders dressed in period clothes, theatrical performances and Modernista walks to discover the secrets of the period buildings still standing. At the same time, you will find events and activities that are typical of every festa major, such as the cercavila and ball de gegants (street parade and giants' dance), communal meals, sports competitions, children's workshops, concerts and the balls de festa major. All those involving the district's clubs, associations, music groups and other organisations.

Origins

Held since 2004.

About festivities

Highlights

Giant dance and parade. Popular festival figures have traditionally featured in Dreta de l’Eixample festivities, with a cercavila gegantera on the Sunday, the last day. The musical parade round the streets is followed by a dance of all the giants and that brings it to a close.

Modernista fair. Throughout the festival there is a fira modernista at the top of Carrer de Girona selling various items, food products, clothes, music and decorations from that period. Among other things, the fair programme includes demonstrations of old trades, cars and children's games.

Modernista bike ride. The bicicletada modernista round the neighbourhood streets is a popular event that has become a focal point of the festival programme. What makes it different is that participants have to wear period clothes.

Supplementary information

Organisers

Entitats de la Dreta de l’Eixample.