Probably one of the most common enquiries on our Gothic Quarter Free Tour is where to see human towers in Barcelona. The main “castells” season is from April to October but you can find them all year round depending on festival dates.
We have decided to create a post with an updated annual calendar so everyone can enjoy this wonderful Catalan tradition. If you can’t find any Human Towers in Barcelona that suits the time of your visit, be sure you check regularly as we will be including more as they are announced.
As well as human towers (or castells in Catalan), it is not uncommon to see other similar Catalan traditions, like falcons. I’ll explain to you all about it here and give you the confirmed dates for human towers in Barcelona this year.
To whet your appetite, check out this fantastic video explaining the world of the human towers.
INDEX
Barcelona Human towers and other Catalan traditions:
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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 festivals, you could also see other traditional dances, like Moixigangas, probably the origin of the modern human towers.
Human Towers in Barcelona: 2024 calendar
This information was updated on APRIL 8th 2024
These are the dates confirmed for castellers in Barcelona at the time I updated this article, but there will be more dates coming as the season progresses. Also, many human towers are happening outside Barcelona. If you can’t find any date on the list that suits you, please write in the comments when you will be visiting so I can give you other options outside the city.
February 11th
Plaça de Sant Jaume at 11:30h
February 18th
February 22nd
Plaça de la Mercè at 16:00h
March 10th
Sants at 12:00h
Carrer de Santa Carolina, 69 at 13:00h
March 17th
Antiga Fàbrica Damm (Carrer del Rosselló, 515) at 11:30h
Plaça Santa Madrona at 12:00h
Plaça Valentí Almirall at 12:00h
March 24th
Rambla de Plaça de Sants at 11:30h
April 6th
Carrer Sant Jordi with carrer Càceres at 11:30h
April 14th
Plaça de la Revolució de 1868 at 12:00h
Portal de l’Àngel at 12:00h
April 20th
Plaça Consell de la Vila de Sarrià at 17:00h
April 28th
Carrer Marina, 253 at 12:00h
Plaça de l’Ajuntament (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) at 12:00h
May 11th
Jardins de Montserrat at 17:00h
Plaça d’Osca at 18:00h
May 12th
Plaça de Bonet i Muixí at 11.30h
Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia at 12:00h
May 19th
Plaça Major de Nou Barris at 11.30h
May 25th
Plaça de la Barceloneta at 17:00h
Carrer de Sants at 18:00h
May 26th
Plaça dels Somnis del Parc d’atraccions Tibidabo at 11.30h
June 2nd
Plaça Pius XII (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) at 11:30h
June 8th
Plaça Sant Jaume at 18:00h
Plaça de l’Ajuntament (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) at 18:30h
June 9th
Plaça d’Orfila at 11.30h
June 15th
Plaça Fort Pienc at 18:00h
Plaça de la Catedral at 19:00h
June 16th
Plaça Bonanova at 12:00h
June 30th
Plaça de la Sedeta at 12:00h
July 6th
Carrer de Blai, 34 at 18:00h
July 7th
Plaça del Rei at 11.30h
July 13th
Plaça d’Osca at 18:00h
Plaça de la Gardunya at 19:00h
July 26th
Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia at 20:00h
August 17th
Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia at 20:00h
August 18th
Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia at 18:00h
August 31st
Plaça Bonet i Muixí at 18:00h
September 11th
Fossar de les Moreres at 10:00h
Plaça Comercial at 11:30h
Ronda de St. Pere at 12:00h
Parc Central del Poblenou at 12:00h
Rambla de la Marina (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) at 12:00h
September 14th
Vallvidrera – Time TBC
September 15th
Parc de les Rieres d’Horta at 12:00h
September 22nd
Plaça de Sant Jaume at 12:00h
September 24th
Plaça de la Mercè at 11:00h
October 1st
Plaça del Congrés Eucarístic at 11.30h
October 4th
Plaça del Consell de la Vila at 19:00h
October 12th
Plaça de Comas at 12.30h
Plaça del Consell de la Vila (Sarrià) at 17:00h
Carrer Consell de Cent with Carrer Borrell at 18:00h
October 13th
Plaça del Consell de la Vila (Sarrià) at 12:00h
October 19th
Plaça Francesc Macià (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) at 18:00h
October 20th
Plaça de Bonet i Muixí at 11:30h
October 26th
Plaça Consell de la Vila (Sarrià) at 17:00h
November 10th
Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia at 12:00h
November 16th
Plaça de la Palmera de Sant Martí at 12:00h
November 17th
Plaça de Masadas at 11:30h
Carrer Blai, 34 at 12:00h
Plaça de Valentí Almirall at 12:00h
There are castells built not only in Barcelona but all over Catalonia. Sometimes they travel to show their incredible human towers to other parts of Spain, or even places like London, Berlin and Asian cities. If you are in Barcelona and don’t see any castellers scheduled during visit, don’t worry. Ask me in the comments as you might be able to catch them just a few kilometres away.
I hope this helps everyone who really wants to see Castellers building their human towers in Barcelona. Don’t forget to respect the people participating in the human towers by keeping silent until the child at the top raises their hand. Then you can all cheer at the top of your voices. Hopefully, you can see one of the records being made.
If you want to learn more about Catalan traditions, you would love our Gothic Quarter Free Tour where you will learn about this one and other traditions in Barcelona. Looking for a very personalised experience? There are plenty of private tours on offer too. Also, if you are here for a few days, don’t forget to check our complete article with things to do in Barcelona.
Karla says
Is the summer of 2015 Castellars calendar available yet?
Ann Marie Brannigan says
Hi Karla. We will be updating this article in the next few days to include the calendar for 2015. Keep posted here.
sarah says
Hi, when will the 2015 calendar be available please?
JoGuar says
We will be visiting Barcelona in early October. Are there any festivals, human towers, Giants scheduled during that time?
Runner Bean Tours says
Hi JoGuar. Just send us an email with the exact dates and I will check it out for you.
JoGuar says
we arrive on October 5 and depart on October 12. Thank you for re.spoding!
Runner Bean Tours says
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
laura says
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.
Runner Bean Tours says
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 🙂
laura says
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.
Runner Bean Tours says
Yes Laura. There will be somewhere between the back of Santa María del Mar and El Born CC.
Sue says
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!
Ann Marie Brannigan says
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 🙂
MaryBeth mansfield says
Any human towers Sept 17-19,2015. Thanks
Ann Marie Brannigan says
Not until the 20th, at Plaça de Sant Jaume and in Poble Nou neighbourhood, both at 12pm.
Mary says
Is there anything special going on when we will be in Barc Oct.23-25 2015
David Garcia says
Hello,
I am arriving in the following cities for the following days:
– Valencia March 18th to March 22nd
– Madrid March 22nd to March 26th
– Barcelona March 26th to March 30th
Any suggestions for where I can see los “Castells”? I’ll be visiting the latter part of Fallas de Valencia and am just visiting the other cities more casually 🙂
Ann Marie Brannigan says
Hi David,
It is quite difficult to see castells in Valencia or Madrid as the human towers are a Catalan tradition.
The dates that you are in Barcelona are Tuesday to Saturday. Unless there is a special holiday during the week, the time to see human towers in Barcelona is only on weekends. I just checked if there are any castells in Barcelona (or in nearer towns) that Saturday but I am afraid that they haven’t announced any yet. Maybe check again nearer the time in case they announce something later on, although this is quite unlikely.
Valerie Trudel says
Hi we will be in Girona on September 11th, is there any Castells in the Costa Brava area? Where can I find more information on local events performed in Costa Brava for Catalunya Day?
Thank you!
Ann Marie Brannigan says
Hi Valerie,
No human towers performance has been announced in the area around Costa Brava for September 11th. Maybe closer to the date, who knows.
You do have “castells”, however, at the main square in Figueres on September 15th if that date suits you. They will be in Plaça de la Vila at 11.30am. It’s a also a good excuse to visit the wonderful Dalí Museum in Figueres ;-).
Isaac says
Thanks so much for collecting all this information! I thought I came across some information that there will be a small competition in Berga on May 5, 2024, but wanted to try to confirm if that is actually happening, or if you know of any other competitions in early May in Barcelona or perhaps in any of the surrounding towns. We will be leaving the area on May 11 or 12, so unfortunately might not be able to make the dates you have listed for the evening of May 11. Thanks!
Ann Marie Brannigan says
On May 3rd and 5th you can see human towers near Barcelona in Badalona. This is a city just outside Barcelona. You can even take the metro to get there. Definitely a lot closer than Berga.
These are the 3 events with castellers that happen in Badalona that weekend:
– 3rd May (19:00h): c/ Sant Anastasi
– 3rd May (23:30h): Plaça de la Vila
– 5th May (12:00h): Plaça Roja
I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Isaac Stafstrom says
Thanks so much for the information and the quick response! We’re excited to try to catch some of those times Really appreciate the help!
Ann Marie Brannigan says
No problem at all. Seeing humen towers in Barcelona, or anywhere else, is always an unforgettable experience. Have a wonderful time!