A night to remember: The best things to do in Barcelona on New Year’s Eve
This is it: the end of the year is nigh, but if you are new to the town, you might wonder how people in Barcelona celebrate New Year’s eve. Wonder no more and keep reading; we got you covered!
12 strokes - 12 grapes
If you really want to experience New Year's Eve in Barcelona and celebrate it as a local, you need to try the most local tradition of them all: the 12 grapes. At each stroke of the bell, you will eat one grape, guaranteeing your good luck for the rest of the year. If you survive the mess that is trying to swallow twelve grapes in as many seconds, that is.
The locals have tricks to make it a bit easier, like going for the smaller fruits you can choose at the greengrocer’s or buying boneless grapes, but it is still a rite of passage you need to live through if you want to start your year on the right foot. After that, keep the grape juice flowing, cheering with cava, and you will have a great year!
Celebrate New Year's Eve in Barcelona
The locals have tricks to make it a bit easier, like going for the smaller fruits you can choose at the greengrocer’s or buying boneless grapes, but it is still a rite of passage you need to live through if you want to start your year on the right foot. After that, keep the grape juice flowing, cheering with cava, and you will have a great year!
Parties galore
Living New Year's Eve as an ex-pat in Barcelona might mean that you will be spending your evening with friends already, so an excellent way to start the year might be to convince them all to have the 12 grapes at the Font Màgica. The Ajuntament has been organising this free event for all Barcelona's citizens for a few years.
After eating the grapes, you can enjoy the water, firework and music show in Montjuïch. This spot is also a pretty convenient starting point for the night, particularly if you are heading for a private party in Poble Sec or have decided the Sala Apolo is where you want to dance the first night of the year away. You can also check out the Poble Espanyol party, which will be on until 6 in the morning. Buy tickets for Apolo, Poble Espanyol, Razz or any other club in advance because these venues tend to book up quite quickly.
After eating the grapes, you can enjoy the water, firework and music show in Montjuïch. This spot is also a pretty convenient starting point for the night, particularly if you are heading for a private party in Poble Sec or have decided the Sala Apolo is where you want to dance the first night of the year away. You can also check out the Poble Espanyol party, which will be on until 6 in the morning. Buy tickets for Apolo, Poble Espanyol, Razz or any other club in advance because these venues tend to book up quite quickly.
The morning lights
Ah, the morning of the first of January… some will still be dancing, and some will get up from their cosy beds to honour another tradition of the city: the first swim in Barceloneta. Dozens of brave men and women will get together on the beach and get into icy waters to prove themselves. You can join them by signing up here or just watch from the beach while you cradle a hot chocolate con churros in your hands.
No matter what you decide to do for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s, welcome to the next 365 days of your new life in Barcelona!
No matter what you decide to do for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s, welcome to the next 365 days of your new life in Barcelona!
This is it: the end of the year is nigh, but if you are new to the town, you might wonder how people in Barcelona celebrate New Year’s eve. Wonder no more and keep reading; we got you covered!
12 strokes - 12 grapes
If you really want to experience New Year's Eve in Barcelona and celebrate it as a local, you need to try the most local tradition of them all: the 12 grapes. At each stroke of the bell, you will eat one grape, guaranteeing your good luck for the rest of the year. If you survive the mess that is trying to swallow twelve grapes in as many seconds, that is.
The locals have tricks to make it a bit easier, like going for the smaller fruits you can choose at the greengrocer’s or buying boneless grapes, but it is still a rite of passage you need to live through if you want to start your year on the right foot. After that, keep the grape juice flowing, cheering with cava, and you will have a great year!
Celebrate New Year's Eve in Barcelona
The locals have tricks to make it a bit easier, like going for the smaller fruits you can choose at the greengrocer’s or buying boneless grapes, but it is still a rite of passage you need to live through if you want to start your year on the right foot. After that, keep the grape juice flowing, cheering with cava, and you will have a great year!
Parties galore
Living New Year's Eve as an ex-pat in Barcelona might mean that you will be spending your evening with friends already, so an excellent way to start the year might be to convince them all to have the 12 grapes at the Font Màgica. The Ajuntament has been organising this free event for all Barcelona's citizens for a few years.
After eating the grapes, you can enjoy the water, firework and music show in Montjuïch. This spot is also a pretty convenient starting point for the night, particularly if you are heading for a private party in Poble Sec or have decided the Sala Apolo is where you want to dance the first night of the year away. You can also check out the Poble Espanyol party, which will be on until 6 in the morning. Buy tickets for Apolo, Poble Espanyol, Razz or any other club in advance because these venues tend to book up quite quickly.
After eating the grapes, you can enjoy the water, firework and music show in Montjuïch. This spot is also a pretty convenient starting point for the night, particularly if you are heading for a private party in Poble Sec or have decided the Sala Apolo is where you want to dance the first night of the year away. You can also check out the Poble Espanyol party, which will be on until 6 in the morning. Buy tickets for Apolo, Poble Espanyol, Razz or any other club in advance because these venues tend to book up quite quickly.
The morning lights
Ah, the morning of the first of January… some will still be dancing, and some will get up from their cosy beds to honour another tradition of the city: the first swim in Barceloneta. Dozens of brave men and women will get together on the beach and get into icy waters to prove themselves. You can join them by signing up here or just watch from the beach while you cradle a hot chocolate con churros in your hands.
No matter what you decide to do for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s, welcome to the next 365 days of your new life in Barcelona!
No matter what you decide to do for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s, welcome to the next 365 days of your new life in Barcelona!
