Barcelona Newsletter - January 2026

Happy New Year from Barcelona! While the festive lights still twinkle, January brings a refreshing start to 2026. The city embraces a cooler, crisp atmosphere perfect for exploring its vibrant calendar of events. Locals and visitors alike enjoy fewer crowds and unique cultural experiences this month.

Start your year with a splash at the Primer Bany de l’Any on January 1st. Join locals at noon in front of Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta (CNAB) on Barceloneta beach. For around €4, you can brave the cold Mediterranean with a charity swim! Afterward, why not warm up with a stroll through the historical heart of the city? Discover the incredible stories behind every corner with our Welcome to Barcelona! Old Town and Gothic Quarter Guided Walking Tour. History and culture perfectly blend with the Mediterranean charm here.

As the holiday spirit lingers, experience the magic of the Cavalcada de Reis, the Three Kings Parade, on January 5th. This huge evening parade starts with Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar arriving by boat at Moll de la Fusta. They then cross the city on beautifully decorated floats. Line the streets with families to catch sweets and enjoy the dancers, musicians, and giant figures. Remember that January 6th is a public holiday for Epiphany, so some shops might be closed, but central sights remain open.

Later in the month, immerse yourself in a true Barcelona tradition at the Festa Major de Sant Antoni, starting January 16th. This neighbourhood festival honours Saint Anthony Abbot with over 140 activities! Expect exciting events around Carrer del Comte Borrell and Mercat de Sant Antoni. Don't miss the Tres Tombs Parade on January 17th. This unique procession blesses animals and horse-drawn carts throughout the district – a fantastic photo opportunity for families. Want to delve deeper into Barcelona's captivating history? Join our Welcome to Barcelona! Old Town and Gothic Quarter Guided Walking Tour to uncover the secrets of the winding streets and grand avenues!

For music lovers, January offers diverse choices. Experience the profound Requiem by Mozart at the stunning Palau de la Música Catalana on January 10th. If you prefer something more contemporary, the Winter Cruïlla Festival features concert nights from January 18th to 30th at venues like Sala Apolo and Razzmatazz. You'll find a mix of Catalan, Spanish, and international artists. After enjoying the city's vibrant rhythm, explore the contrast between the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter and the orderly Eixample. Book your spot today on our Welcome to Barcelona! Old Town and Gothic Quarter Guided Walking Tour and let us show you where past and present coexist seamlessly.

January in Barcelona promises a delightful blend of tradition, celebration, and artistic expression. We hope you enjoy exploring everything this incredible city has to offer!

Date	Event	Category
January 1-4	Natalis at Poble Espanyol Explore six Christmas-themed worlds at Poble Espanyol until January 4. Families enjoy interactive festive setups in this open-air museum at Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13. Great for kids with extended holiday hours.	📅 Other	More details →
January 3	El Fantasma de la Ópera Phantom of the Opera live at Teatre Tivoli, 4 PM start. Classic musical thrills in a historic theater. Tourists love the dramatic spectacle and Barcelona venue charm.	📅 Other	More details →
January 6 - March 6	Rossini's Gourmet Opera Night Rossini arias with dining at Real Círculo Artístico, Palacio Pignatelli. From €35. Tourists savor opera paired with gourmet Catalan flavors.	📅 Other	More details →
January 5	Cavalcada de Reis – Three Kings Parade Huge evening parade with Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar arriving by boat at Moll de la Fusta, then crossing the city on decorated floats. Families line streets to catch sweets and see dancers, musicians and giant figures.	🎪 Festival	More details →
January 16-26	Festa Major de Sant Antoni – Neighbourhood Festival Traditional festival in Sant Antoni neighbourhood honouring Saint Anthony Abbot. Over 140 activities including correfoc (fire run), castellers (human towers) and events linked to animals, held around Carrer del Comte Borrell and Mercat de Sant Antoni.	🎪 Festival	More details →
January 17	Tres Tombs Parade – Blessing of the Animals (Sant Antoni) Within Festa Major de Sant Antoni, a procession of animals and horse‑drawn carts through the district, receiving blessings. Particularly interesting for photographers and families.	🎪 Festival	More details →
January 1	Mozart: Lieder, Arias and Sonatas Jordi Romero, Aloma Ruiz, Gisela Villamayor perform at Casa Museu Núria Pla. Includes guided antique tour post-show. Tourists blend music, history, free museum access.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 10	Requiem by Mozart Experience Mozart’s profound Requiem with Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès at Palau de la Música Catalana. Includes Symphony No. 1 and Soneto de la Noche for a full classical journey. Perfect for music lovers seeking emotional depth in a stunning venue.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 10	Tablao Flamenco El Paraigua Show Intimate flamenco with song, dance, guitar in Gothic Quarter ex-convent. Seats 60 for close-up passion. Add tapas; tourists rave about authentic, sensory immersion.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 16	63rd Tenor Viñas Competition - Final Test Rising tenors compete at 3 PM in prestigious vocal event. Spot future stars up close. Tourists appreciate classical vocal talent in Barcelona’s opera tradition.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 18	63rd Tenor Viñas Competition - Final Concert Grand finale at 6 PM showcases top tenors. Celebrated competition draws opera fans. Tourists get elite performances in vibrant Barcelona setting.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 18	Winter Cruïlla Festival – Concert Night 1 Winter edition of Barcelona’s well‑known Cruïlla music festival. First January concert night hosted at Sala Apolo, Carrer Nou de la Rambla 113, featuring several bands.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 19	Patrick Watson Indie artist Patrick Watson performs at Sala Apolo. Tickets €35. Tourists enjoy his intimate, emotive live sound in a iconic Barcelona club.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 21	Los Tarantos Catch vibrant flamenco folk at Los Tarantos, Plaça Reial 17, Ciutat Vella. Shows at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30. Tickets from €25; intimate spot in Gothic heart draws tourists for authentic rhythm.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 23 - March 6	The Jazz Room: Tribute to Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong Swing into jazz tributes at Jamboree Jazz Club. Running Fridays from January 23. Tickets from €16; ideal for tourists craving smooth standards in Barcelona’s jazz scene.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 29	Winter Cruïlla Festival – Concert Night 2 Second Winter Cruïlla date, with more live acts split between Sala Apolo and Razzmatazz, Carrer dels Almogàvers 122. Good option for contemporary music fans in late January.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 30	Winter Cruïlla Festival – Concert Night 3 Third Winter Cruïlla night concluding the January series in venues like Razzmatazz. Line‑ups typically mix Catalan, Spanish and international artists across genres.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 1 - February 2	Special Exhibit at Joan Miró Foundation Catch the special exhibit at Fundació Joan Miró until February 2. Tourists love Miró's vibrant surrealist works in Montjuïc's stunning setting. Perfect for art lovers seeking Barcelona's modern art scene.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 1 - February 2	Special Exhibition at Fundació Joan Miró Highlighted temporary exhibition at Fundació Joan Miró, Parc de Montjuïc s/n, running through January. Good indoor cultural option with modern art and city views.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 19-21	ICE Barcelona 2026 – International Gaming Expo (Leisure Visitors) Huge gaming industry fair at Fira Barcelona Gran Via with over 600 exhibitors and thousands of visitors. Not a leisure event, but gamers may enjoy the public exhibition areas.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 1	Primer Bany de l’Any – New Year’s First Sea Bath Charity swim at noon in front of Club Natació Atlètic‑Barceloneta (CNAB), by Barceloneta beach. Registration around €4, locals and visitors jump into the cold sea together.	⚽ Sport	More details →
January 10	FC Barcelona Women vs Madrid CFF - Primera División Femenina Matchday 15 Top women's football at Estadi Johan Cruyff, kick-off 19:00. See dominant Barça Femení live; use code FCB25 for ticket discounts. Family-friendly vibe.	⚽ Sport	More details →
January 17-18	WDSF World DanceSport Competition - Standard and Latin International dance competition with Standard Adult World Open on Jan 17 and Latin on Jan 18. Tourists enjoy vibrant performances across age groups. Spectator-friendly event.	⚽ Sport	More details →
January 1-4	Natalis Christmas Festival at Poble Espanyol Family‑focused Christmas worlds inside Poble Espanyol, Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 13. Activities, decorations and workshops in a replica Spanish village setting.	🛍️ Market	More details →
January 1-11	Illuminasce / Illuminescence Light Experience Ticketed night-time light experience mentioned as running into early January 2026, suitable for visitors looking for post‑Christmas atmosphere. Exact Barcelona venue and details via organiser’s site.	📅 Other	More details →
January 1-6	Casa Batlló Christmas Facade Lights & Shows Modernist icon Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia 43, keeps its special Christmas light display and evening facade shows running until January 6. Great for night photos.	📅 Other	More details →
January 1-11	Els Llums de Sant Pau – Christmas Light Festival Immersive light trail in the modernist Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167. Evening walk-through with projections, installations and food stalls.	📅 Other	More details →
January 6	Reis – Epiphany Public Holiday January 6 is a public holiday across Spain. Many shops close and families exchange presents, but main sights and some restaurants in central Barcelona still open.	📅 Other	More details →