People dancing at an open-air festival party in Barcelona
Barcelona · Neighbourhood festivals

Festa Major de Sants: Barcelona's festival without the tourists

Decorated streets, correfocs and castellers from 24 August

6 August 2026

The Festa Major de Sants is one of Barcelona's best-loved neighbourhood festivals of the summer. If you already know the Festa Major de Gràcia and want the same magic with fewer crowds, this is your festival: streets just as beautifully decorated, the same communal paella lunches, half the tourists.

When it takes place

The festival takes place every year in late August and lasts around nine days. The main day is always 24 August, the feast of Sant Bartomeu, the neighbourhood's patron saint, with the traditional morning flower offering followed by a communal vermouth. The exact dates for each edition are confirmed every July, so it's worth checking the official programme before planning your trip.

The festival kicks off with an opening speech given by a different notable figure each year, and every edition debuts a new illustrated poster that sets the visual theme for the whole week.

What to expect from the programme

  • Decorated streets: every year, around a dozen streets in the neighbourhood compete for the best themed decorations, a tradition that repeats and changes theme with each edition.
  • Concerts and open-air dance parties across the neighbourhood, with Parc de l'Espanya Industrial as one of the regular venues.
  • Castellers de Sants ("Els Borinots") building their human towers in Plaça de Can Climent, as they do every year.
  • Correfoc fire runs for both children and adults throughout the week.
  • Closing celebration with the street decoration awards and a castellers performance.

The whole festival is organised street by street, free of charge, with activities designed both for family days out and for late nights of concerts and open-air dance parties.

How to get there

The Sants neighbourhood is very well connected: Plaça de Sants metro station (lines L1 and L5) drops you right in the middle of the festival, and the Renfe/Sants Estació hub is just a few minutes' walk away.

Where to stay to enjoy the festival at your own pace

Living room at Feelathome Plaza Apartments in Barcelona
Feelathome Plaza Apartments
Interior of Feelathome Stadium Apartments in Barcelona
Feelathome Stadium Apartments

If you want to experience the Festa Major de Sants with the comfort of your own space, at Feelathome we have Plaza Apartments, right in the Sants-Montjuïc district, just a 10-minute walk from Sants Estació and a short walk from Hostafrancs metro station, in the heart of where the festival happens. If you'd rather stay in another part of the city, Stadium Apartments is next to Camp Nou, a little further from the festival's core but just as well connected. And if you'd like to explore other options, you can see all our apartments in Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Festa Major de Sants?

It's held every year in late August and lasts around nine days. The main day is always 24 August (Sant Bartomeu). The exact dates for each edition are confirmed in July.

Is the Festa Major de Sants free?

Yes, entry is free; you only pay if you eat or drink at the food and drink stalls.

How do you get to the Sants neighbourhood?

By metro, at Plaça de Sants station (lines L1 and L5), or by train from Sants Estació.

Is it a family-friendly festival?

Yes, there are family activities during the day; the evening atmosphere is more geared towards adults.

Between the street decorations, correfocs and castellers, the Festa Major de Sants is best enjoyed up close, with no rush to head home. Staying at Plaza Apartments puts the neighbourhood right on your doorstep, ready for you to live it like a local.