Things to do in Barcelona 28th Feb- 2nd Mar

This weeks unload on all things Carnaval and more in Barcelona! The best parades, workshops for kids, artisan markets, music gigs and more! Don't like Carnaval? Don't worry plenty of the usual stuff is all there in issue #4 of Xivarri Barcelona!


— 11 min read
Things to do in Barcelona 28th Feb- 2nd Mar

This week is all about Carnaval (Carnival) in Barcelona! What to expect? Giant Carnival and colourful characters in parades, the classic taronjada orange fest and celebrations all over town! Let's jump right into this weeks carnival laced newsletter. Get the full lowdown below!

You'll notice we are highlighting some events with a ⭐ in front of them this week, these events are true gems or highlights to us. Expect to see those more often in the future.

Remember, we'd love to hear from you! Simply hit reply all to this newsletter and let us know your thoughts!

🫅🏻 Carnaval (Carnival) Festivities

From the classic taronjada orange fest, to the arrival of Queen Belluga, here's all things Carnival happening this weekend in Barcelona. Be aware, most workshops will be in Catalan, so you'll need to be a bit creative when attending yourself or with kids:

Thursday 27th February - The Arrival

The Arribo, or arrival, always kicks off Carnival festivities in Barcelona, but this year it has a new mission: to bring the festival to every corner of the cosmos. Designed for all audiences, this parade with striking visuals tells the story of a stratospheric journey featuring irreverence, humour and unrestrained revelry.

  • The start of Carnaval📍Plaza de Bonet i Muixí ⏰17:15
    The drums will start beating at 17:15 in Plaza de Bonet i Muixi to announce the start of Carnival.
  • The Carnival King arrives📍 Cotxeres de Sants ⏰17:45
    Nearby the drums, the arrival of the Carnival King Elon Muska Collonera will commence in the auditorium of the Cotxeres de Sants
  • Queen Belluga arrives and tours Sants📍Cotxeres de Sants ⏰18:30-19:00
    the itinerant show of the Arribo with the Queen Belluga and her float will begin in the streets of Sants. Route: Creu Coberta street, Sant Antoni promenade, Joan Peiró square, Sant Antoni promenade, Creu Coberta street and end in the Sants-Montjuïc District Headquarters.
The queens route!
  • Taronjada📍Headquarters of the Sants District ⏰19:00
    La Taronjada (The Orange Battle) is a historic Barcelona Carnival tradition that originally saw people playfully throw oranges at each other as part of the festivities. nowadays, the tradition continues in a safer symbolic form using orange confetti and balloons, creating a fun and colorful spectacle in front of the Sants Districts headquarters!
La Taronjada (The Orange Battle)

Friday Carnival Activities

  • Kids under 10 in costume enter for free📍L'Aquàrium de Barcelona
    From February 28th to March 3rd, enjoy 1 child free for every 1 paying adult, if the children are between 3 and 10 years old and come dressed in costume.
    📆 Friday through Monday💰Adult ticket €27,- ℹ️ More Info
  • Carnival with DJ & Music Bingo📍Santa Caterina Market
    Santa Caterina Market turns into a Carnival festival with DJ and Music Bingo!
    📆 Friday through Monday💰Free Access ℹ️ More Info
  • Kids travel in time at Gothic Quarter📍Plaza Del Rei
    Route: pl. del Rei – c. Llibreteria – pl. Sant Jaume – pl. de Sant Miquel – c. de Cervantes – c. d’Avinyó – c. Ample – pl. de la Mercè
    📆 Friday 17:30 💰Free Access ℹ️ More Info
  • The traditional Raval neighbourhood parade 📍Rambla del Raval
    The parade will make its way around the streets of El Raval, with bands and troupes taking part. It will begin at 18:00 on the Rambla del Raval and will go down the streets of Hospital, Junta de Comerç, Sant Pau and Reina Amàlia.

    The street parade will end in Plaça de Josep M. Folch i Torres, where an exciting end of festival event will take place with snack included.
    📆 Friday 18:00 💰Free Accessℹ️ More Info
  • The 80s return📍Mercat Canyelles
    Next Saturday, March 1, take a trip to the 80s at Mercat Canyelles!🕺🏻🪩Stall owners will dress up for the occasion and they invite you to come dressed up to enjoy an atmosphere full of colour, music and fun.
    📆Saturday 07:00-20:00 💰Free Access ℹ️ More Info
  • ReciclArt Carnival Mask Workshop📍Espai 210 Community Center
    A workshop on creating recycled carnival masks.
    📆 Friday 11:00 💰Free Entry
  • 6th Dreta de l’Eixample Carnival Parade📍Pla Passage
    Route: passatge de Pla, Mercat de la Concepció, carrer de
    Girona, avinguda de la Diagonal i carrer del Bruc
    📆 Friday 11:00 💰Free Entry
  • Children’s Carnival 📍 Vila Olímpica Community Center
    📆 Friday 18:00 💰Free Entry
  • Carnival Parade in Sarrià & Costume Ball 📍Plaça de la Vila de Sarrià
    Plaça de la Vila de Sarrià and finishes at Centre Cívic Casa Orlandai (carrer de Jaume Piquet, 23). Live music from La Big Band, The Others, and DJ Set Don Cardenal
    📆 Friday 17:00 💰Free Access

Saturday Carnaval Activities

  • Sants, Hostafrancs & La Bordeta Grand Carnival Parade📍 Carrer de Sants
    Coinciding with the third rocket, the King Elon Muska Cullunera XL will parade along the road from Sants to the Gran Rua of the Carnival of Sants, Hostafrancs and La Bordeta with the entities of our neighborhoods as protagonists of the festival!
    📆 Saturday 16:30 💰Free Access
  • Family Carnival in Sants 📍Cotxeres de Sants Civic Center
    Confetti cannon workshop and live performances.
    📆 Saturday 11:00 💰Free Access
  • Children’s Carnival in La Marina📍 Can Farrero Gardens
    There will be a parade, dance with the company The Blue Gripau at 12.30 and delivery of costumes at 13.15
    📆 Saturday 11:00 💰Free Access
  • Kids Carnival📍La Creueta del Coll Park
    📆 Saturday 11:00 💰Free Access
  • Rua de Gràcia – Gràcia Carnival Parade 📍Carrer Gran de Gràci
    Starts at Carrer Gran de Gràcia (between Nil Fabra and Àgata Badia Puig-Rodon)
    and finishes at la plaça de la Vila
    📆 Saturday 18:00 💰Free Access

Wooooo, that could have been a whole newsletter on its own! For more events; you can check out the offical guide Barcelona released, unfortunately it is only available in Catalan. Most local neighbourhoods have parades on for the little ones!

🚨
Last week of the Sailing Day Giveaway
As you might already know, together with Barcelona Sailing Day we are giving away a free 2 hour sailing trip for two to one lucky reader! If you haven't entered yet, entry is simple;

1. Subscribe to the Xivarri Barcelona Newsletter. (you are already!)
2. Follow @XivarriBarcelona & @Barcelona.Sailing.Day on Instagram.
3. Tag the friend you want to bring with you in this post on Instagram.

That's all you need to do to enter to win! The winner will be announced next week right here 😄

🌟 Things to do

Barcelona is always brimming with things to do! This week, we’re loving:

Palo Alto Market Fest
  • ⭐ MUSIC, FOOD, CLOTHES & GOOD VIBES AT MARKET FEST 📍Palo Alto
    My favorite artisan food and locally hand-made products market. Organised once a month at the beautiful Palo Alto in the Poblenou district this weekend market has live music, great looking and tasting food, a few halls with local Barcelona companies selling their hand-made goods and all with an incredible atmosphere. It is highly recommended you go at least once!
    📆 Saturday/Sunday 12:00-22:00 💰€6,50 ℹ️ More Info
  • Have a blast in the Worlds biggest XR Sports Center 📍Alpha5
    Looking to do something fun with the kids this weekend? Play fun Extended Reality games in the world biggest XR center. Put on those VR goggles, and climb Mount Everest, hunt the other team, play super spy and dodge lasers, the list is endless! fun for kids and parents alike.
    📆 All weekend 10:00-24:00 💰€19,- ℹ️ More Info
  • Barcelona Sailing Day (giveaway partner)📍Puerto Olimpico
    Enjoy a lovely Saturday or Sunday on the water with Barcelona Sailing Day. Starting as low as 30 euro's for an hour or 45 for two, enjoy the waters that I (Rik) have spend most of my days on in the last two and a half years! The price includes the yacht, a professional skipper, a selection of drinks like water, soda, white and red wine, cava, and beer, as well as some snacks like crisps and olives. They also do stunning sunset tours!
    📆 Everyday from 09:30 till 17:30 💰 From €30 ℹ️ More Info
  • Enjoy food like the locals📍Santa Caterina Market
    Enjoyed last weeks market? Consider visiting Santa Caterina Market, another spectacular market with an endless selection of meat, seafood, vegetables, poultry you name it! All as fresh as you can imagine and the market has a stunning roof!
    📆 Saturday 07:30 💰Free Entry ℹ️ More Info
  • Second Hand English Books📍Hibernian Bookstore
    A fantastic place to visit for bookworms who are in need of a fresh supply of English books. Run by great folks who know their bookstore inside and out!
    📆 All weekend 10:30–14:00, 17:00–20:30💰Free Entry ℹ️ More Info
  • Become a barbarian, throw some damn axes!📍Barcelona Axe Throwing
    A surprisingly fun (and potentially deadly) activity to do with friends!
    📆 All weekend 11:00–14:00, 15:00–21:00💰€20,- ℹ️ More Info
  • Improve your cocktail making skills📍Paradiso Cocktail bar
    This one is for those who already possess basic cocktail making skills, bring it up to the next level with this masterclass in cocktail making techniques.
    📆 Saturday 12:00 💰€140,- ℹ️ More Info
Level 2 Cocktail workshop @ world famous Paradiso

🎶 Tunes & Shows

We are trying a new format this week, a little less info, but many more events and shows are featured. Let us know what you think!

Live music, parties and shows you won’t want to miss:

Friday, 28th February

Saturday, 1st March

Sunday, 2nd March

can't slow down by Almost Monday

🍷 Food & Drink

Great places for cocktails, drink or food with friends and loved ones:

  • Classic Tapas in Eixample📍La Flauta | Aribau
    Opened in 1984, this place is great for the tapas classics; Patatas Bravas, Ensaladia Rusa and so on! Come early or make a reservation, this spot is popular!
    📆 Friday/Saturday 08:00-01:00 💰€20/30,- ℹ️ More Info
  • An unforgettable experience 📍Nobu Restaurant
    WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN... Sat on top of the Nobu Hotel, It is probably the best food experience I've ever had as well as one of the most stunning restaurants I've ever eaten at. Truly a one of a kind experience which admittedly does not come cheap. Expect to easily pay between 100 to 150 euro per person. Save this one for that special moment, it is worth it. I recommend their Signature Omakase, which is 5 or so courses that take you on an incredible flavour journey!
    📆 Every day 07:00-23:00 💰€100+ ℹ️ More Info
Just look at that view!! Nobu Restaurant
  • Seafood heaven in el Born📍Puertecillo
    This one is for the seafood lovers, pick what you want from the wide selection of fresh fish right when you walk in the door and enjoy a delicious meal moments later!
    📆 All weekend 13:00-16:00 / 20:00-23:30 💰€20/30,- ℹ️ More Info
  • Hop from door to door📍Carrer de Blai
    Not a restaurant, but a street famous for its restaurants and great vibes in the evening. Enjoyable for a nice evening with decent food!
    📆 All weekend 💰Free Access
  • Tapas & Sparkling Wine (cava) 📍Can Paixano
    Another great (standing room only!) tapas bar that is affordable, has a great atmosphere and delicious food. it's loud and hectic, so communication with the bar can get tricky in English, but it'll be worth it, keep cool and order those salllllttjjjjiiiitttjaaaaas (salchichas - sausages)😂 and patatas bravas! and come early or prepare to wait!
    📆 Friday/Saturday 12:00-22:00 💰€10/20,- ℹ️ More Info
  • Mexican Staples with 📍Carabela Cafè
    This place has the menu on the side of the building, like the entire fasade of the restaurant is the menu which is hilarious! Known for its tacos, enchiladas, guac and a super friendly 3yo kid running around for attention when I visit for the umpteenth time🐣🤷🏻‍♂️(not my fault my kid loves flavorful Mexican cuisine)!They also have killer drinks & good vibes.
    📆 Friday/Saturday 10:00-01:15 💰€10/20,- ℹ️ More Info
Always a great atmosphere at Carabela Cafe
  • A great dinner spot near Gran Via📍Anxoita Bodega
    This is a great spot to visit with your friends, why? So you can order many different dishes and share, each and every one is a master piece. This will quickly be put on your "need to come back here again soon" list.
    📆 Every Day 12:00-24:00 💰€10/20,- ℹ️ More Info

That’s it for this week. Have fun, enjoy the weekend and see you next week!

Hasta luego!

Elena & Rik

PS. If you have a fun event you believe we should include next week, or want to give us feedback on this week's list? Reply to this email – we’d love to hear from you.