Probably one of the most common enquiries on our Gothic Quarter Free Tour is “where can I see a human tower being built?”. Well, as luck has it, the City Council of Barcelona is proud to show off the unique Catalan culture to visitors. Every Saturday evening during the Summer months and in front of the Cathedral, you can find human castles, giants, traditional dances and much more. Want to know what, where and how? Read on for the lowdown on groups and the 2018 timetable (2019 dates to be released soon).
Barcelona Human towers and other Catalan traditions:
The Catalan traditions will take place most Saturdays in front of Barcelona’s Cathedral at 7:30 pm from the 9th of May until the 29th of August. This is what you will see each day:
“Castells” (human towers)
An Impressive Catalan display of a tower made up of humans. There are different types depending on the number of people on each floor. It is considered built when a young child climbs to the top and raises their hand. Hopefully, they won’t all topple down after, but if they do, the young children are wearing helmets for protection.
Dates: 16th May, 23rd May, 13th June, 20th June, 27th June, 29th August.
“Falcons” (human buildings)
These groups make human shape formations such as pyramids, revolving towers, etc. Some of the structures can be pretty intricate. The music, as in the castells, is always present, although they do not go as high up as the human towers.
Dates: 16th May, 30th May, 4th July, 18th July, 15th August.
“Gegants” (Giants)
These are large papier-mâché figures that walk around the streets. A real person is carrying it from under the skirt and different giants represent different neighbourhoods or associations. It is quite amazing to see these Goliath figures performing their own individual dances.
Dates: 23rd May, 6th June, 20th June, 4th July, 18th July, 8th August, 15th August, 22nd August, 29th August.
“Bastoners” (stick dancers)
I love this very ceremonial dance using sticks. It derives from a demonstration of skills with weapons in the old times. Small wooden bats are used in the jig but you still have to be pretty deft not to get your fingers clobbered.
Dates: 25th July, 8th August.
“Sardanas”, “Moixigangas”, etc (traditional dances)
The most traditional dance in Catalonia is the Sardana. Everyone forms a circle holding hands as they trace their steps. Not so fashionable anymore with the younger generation, this jig is mainly performed by the proud golden oldies. During this festival, you will see older and younger together though.
Dates: 9th May, 30th May, 13th June, 27th June.
Calendar of events for the Catalan Festival 2018:
9th May
Moixiganga de Barcelona (dance)
Moixiganga de Vilafranca del Penedès (dance)
Ball de Panderetes de Vilafranca del Penedès (dance)
16th May
Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia (human towers)
Castellers de Rubí (human towers)
Falcons de Barcelona (giants)
23rd May
Castellers de la Sagrada Família (human towers)
Castelers i Mixiganguers d’Igualada (human towers)
Gegants Ramon i Lola del Raval (giants)
30th May
Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de Llorenç del Penedès (human buildings)
Esbar Català de Dansaires (dance)
6th June
Special “Festes del Pi” (giants)
13th June (5:30 pm)
Aplec Sardanistes de les Violetes del Bosc (dance)
20th June
Castellers Xicots de Vilafranca (human towers)
Gegants de Gràcia (giants)
Gegants de Montbau (giants)
27th June
Castellers Colla Jove de Barcelona (human towers)
Castellers de Castellar (human towers)
Colla Jove de Vilafranca (human towers)
Grup Sardanista Mare Nostrum (dance)
4th July
Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de la Vilanova d’Espolla (human buildings)
Gegants de la Barceloneta (giants)
11th July
Esbart de Sant Martí (dance)
18th July
Falcons de Barcelona (human towers)
Falcons de Piera (human buildings)
Gegants de Sant Pere de les Puel·les (giants)
25th July
Bastoners del Raval (stick dancers)
Bastoners de Gràcia (stick dancers)
Bastoners de Gavà (stick dancers)
Colla Jove Bastoners de Castelldefells (stick dancers)
1st August
Esbart de Sant Martí (dance)
8th August
Special Gràcia Festival (stick dancers, giants, etc)
15th August
Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de Vilanova i la Geltrú (human buildings)
Gegants i Nan Cu-Cut de la Plaça nova (giants)
22nd August
Ballets de Catalunya (dance & music)
Gegants de Sant Jaume (giants)
29th August
Castellers de Barcelona (human towers)
Castellers Brivalls de Cornudella (human towers)
Gegants del Cas Antic (giants)
Photographs by Alessandra Pezzotta, DavNava, tierra de barrenaus, Stasiu Tomczak, Ajuntament d’Esplugues de Llobregat and David Spender
Is the summer of 2015 Castellars calendar available yet?
Hi Karla. We will be updating this article in the next few days to include the calendar for 2015. Keep posted here.
Hi, when will the 2015 calendar be available please?
We will be visiting Barcelona in early October. Are there any festivals, human towers, Giants scheduled during that time?
Hi JoGuar. Just send us an email with the exact dates and I will check it out for you.
we arrive on October 5 and depart on October 12. Thank you for re.spoding!
So far, there are no “castells” scheduled for those dates in Barcelona, only outside the city. However, you can attend one of the rehearsals of the Castellers of Barcelona. More info here: http://www.castellersdebarcelona.cat/assajos
Hi, I’m in Barcelona 10-14th September and had really hoped to see any of this, please can you tell me if there’s anywhere at all to catch a human tower etc? Thank you very much.
Hi Laura. These are the dates where “castells” are announced on the dates you are here:
10th September: 6pm (Rambla Poblenou corner with Carrer Doctor Trueta)
11th September: 12pm (Plaça del Born)
13th September: 12pm (in front of Sagrada Familia)
13th September: 12:30pm (Parc del Centre del Poblenou)
The best day with the best groups is the 11th of September at Plaça del Born. Remember that it is also a bank holiday that day.
Enjoy it 🙂
Thank you so much, that is the best news ever, I will go to the one on the 11th then!!!! Is that passeig del born by basilica de santa Maria del Mar? Thanks again, hugely helpful.
Yes Laura. There will be somewhere between the back of Santa María del Mar and El Born CC.
We will be visiting in Barcelona on 6th-10th of September,2015. Do you have Castells schedule on those dates we stay? We are looking forward to see it. Thank you very much!
There is only one day scheduled for “castells” in Barcelona on the dates you are here. That is the 10th of September at 6pm in Rambla Poblenou (corner with Carrer Doctor Trueta).
I hope you can catch it 🙂
Any human towers Sept 17-19,2015. Thanks
Not until the 20th, at Plaça de Sant Jaume and in Poble Nou neighbourhood, both at 12pm.
Is there anything special going on when we will be in Barc Oct.23-25 2015