What to do in Barcelona in May 2024?

In Barcelona in May 2024, the public holidays of 1 May and 20 May mark the city with some museums and restaurants closed, while a variety of events such as DocsBarcelona, the Barcelona Comic Fair, La Cursa de El Corte Inglés, the International Rose Short Story Competition in Cervantes Park, Museum Night, RetroBarcelona, and the Fira Modernista offer a month full of cultural, sporting and artistic discoveries.

Some ideas for going out and events in Barcelona in May 2024

1st May and Whit Monday 2 public holidays in Barcelona.

As in many European cities, Wednesday 1 May - Dia del Trabajador - and Monday 20 May 2024 - Whit Monday - are public holidays in Barcelona.  Many restaurants and museums will be closed on these two days. The Sagrada Família is not closed on 1 and 20 May 2024. 

The DocsBarcelona festival from 2 to 12 May 2024.

DocsBarcelona is an international documentary film event held annually in Barcelona. It is a global project that encompasses a professional market, a distribution brand, an exhibition network and courses for documentary filmmakers. In addition to film screenings, the festival organises competitive sections, school sessions, conferences, funding and development activities, as well as workshops to learn and improve documentary storytelling.. DocsBarcelona

The Barcelona Comic Fair from 3 to 5 May 2024.

The Barcelona Comic Fair is also known as the "Saló del Còmic de Barcelona" in Catalan. It is one of the most important events in Spain dedicated to comics. Here you can meet comic book fans, illustrators, publishers and industry professionals from all over the world at exhibitions, workshops, conferences and book signings with a host of renowned authors and artists. Barcelona Comic Fair

La Cursa de El Corte Inglés 5 May 2024 at 9am.

The Cursa de El Corte Inglés is one of the biggest popular races in the world, held annually in Barcelona. It attracts tens of thousands of participants, from serious runners to families with pushchairs, making this event a great sporting celebration in the streets of the city. The route offers a unique opportunity to discover Barcelona's iconic sites in a festive atmosphere, with participants of all ages and abilities. The race is not just a competition, but a celebration of community and sport, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the city. La Cursa de El Corte Inglés

The International Rose Short Story Competition at the Parc Cervantes from 12 to 14 May 2024.

The International Competition for New Roses is held in the magnificent setting of the Parc Cervantes, famous for its vast collection of roses. The competition attracts growers, botanists and rose enthusiasts from all over the world, who come to showcase their new rose varieties in the hope of winning the prestigious prize. During the event, visitors have the unique opportunity to see hundreds of varieties of roses, often before they are available to the general public. Roses are judged on a number of criteria, including colour, fragrance, disease resistance and originality. The International Competition of New Roses is not only a competition, but also a celebration of beauty and innovation in the world of horticulture, offering an exceptional sensory experience in the heart of one of Barcelona's most emblematic green spaces.. Concurs Internacional de Roses Noves al Parc de Cervantes 

Museum Night in Barcelona on 18 May 2024 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Night of the Museums is an annual event that takes place simultaneously in several European cities, including Barcelona. On this special night, museums and cultural institutions open their doors free of charge in the evening, sometimes until midnight or later, allowing the public to discover their collections and exhibitions in a festive atmosphere, often accompanied by special activities such as concerts, guided tours, workshops and artistic performances. The Night of the Museums in Barcelona is particularly interesting because of the variety and richness of the city's museums, which range from institutions dedicated to modern and contemporary art, such as the Picasso Museum and theMACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art), to spaces devoted to history, archaeology and science. It's a unique opportunity to discover these places from another angle, often enriched by exclusive experiences offered only during this event. La Nits dels Museus Barcelona

RetroBarcelona from 18 to 19 May 2024.

RetroBarcelona is a fair dedicated to the world of classic and retro video games. It's a fair where fans of video games from past eras can come together to share their passion, discover game stands and vintage consoles, take part in competitions and attend conferences on the theme of retrogaming. Visitors have the opportunity to play video games that have left their mark on history, learn about the evolution of gaming technologies and meet other fans of the genre. This event generally attracts a wide range of participants, from collectors to those who are simply nostalgic for the games of their childhood.. RetroBarcelona

La Fira Modernista de Barcelona 24 to 26 May 2024.

The Fira Modernista de Barcelona is an event that takes you back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries to explore the city's unique architectural and cultural heritage. It's a celebration of Modernism, an artistic movement that shaped Barcelona's landscape and personality. The 18th edition of the Fira Modernista will be held from 24 to 26 May 2024 and will be dedicated to the poet and playwright Àngel Guimerà. La Fira Modernista de Barcelona

>>> For even more ideas, check out our Things to do in Barcelona in 2024 page, which sums up all the must-see sights in the Catalan capital!

The weather in Barcelona in May: the joys of spring

May is an ideal time to visit Barcelona, as spring is in full swing and the city begins to adorn itself with colourful flowers.

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Wednesday 03 April 2024 - 14:54