Public Holidays in Barcelona 2012. Bank Holiday Festivals and Celebrations.

This page summarizes the official public holidays in Barcelona during 2012. Many of these days are also important festivals and celebrations. All of the days below are bank holidays where the majority of shops and banks are closed.

Bank holidays in Barcelona

Please note the days listed below do not include Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday periods.

In general most shops are open on Saturdays (provided it is not a public holiday festival or celebration) but closed on Sundays. However many restaurants are open during the weekends.

There are changes to the festival dates each year and some of these important Barcelona heritage celebrations occur in some years but not in others. It is important therefore to check this page each year before planning your holiday.

Festivals and celebrations that have official public holidays in Barcelona during 2012.

01 January New Year's Day

06 January Epiphany

06 April Good Friday

09 April Easter Monday

01 May Labour day

28 May Whitsun or Pentecost

23 June - 24 June St. John's Day festival - Otherwise known as Sant Joan -fireworks, bonfires and beach parties are the order of the day.

15 August Assumption Day

11 September National Day of Catalonia

24 September La Mercè festival - The biggest, most colourful and wild festival in Barcelona - make sure you are in a party mood!

12 October Columbus' Day or National Day of Spain

01 November All Saints day

06 December Constitution' Day

08 December Day of the Immaculate Conception

25 December Christmas Day

26 December Boxing Day / Saint Stephen's Day


Opening hours for Barcelona Attractions During Bank Holiday celebrations

For the opening hours of the Barcelona attractions during these holiday periods I recommend you check the official websites for each attraction that are given throughout this site. The opening times for the attractions can vary and can change at short notice which makes it difficult to monitor these individually.

Click here to go to our special page to enable you look up opening hours of Barcelona attractions throughout the year.



How to travel on the Barcelona public transport system without buying tickets.

After purchasing the the Barcelona card you will have free unlimited transport on the metro underground, buses and trams in Barcelona city centre. You also receive discounts on entry tickets to many of Barcelona's main attractions. Avoid the queues to purchase transport tickets and the stress of trying to speak in Spanish.

Read our review of the Barcelona Card.