Barcelona prepares for the Sant Josep Oriol 2026 festivities

The Festa Major del Pi will run from March 14 to 23, featuring traditional giants and street parades.

Generic image of a popular celebration in the streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.
IA

Generic image of a popular celebration in the streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

The city of Barcelona will celebrate the Sant Josep Oriol festivities, popularly known as the Festa Major del Pi, from March 14 to 23, 2026, in the heart of the Gothic Quarter.

This traditional event is a highlight of the local cultural calendar. The Gegants del Pi (Giants of Pi), the Lleó (Lion), and the Mulassa (Mule) will take center stage during the celebrations. This year's official poster has been designed by local illustrator Mireia Banchs i Gual, showcasing the main characters of the festival.
The festivities will officially begin on Saturday, March 14, with an opening speech at Plaça del Pi. The day will include a theatrical performance by the Lazzigags drama school and a historical reenactment of the arrival of the Roman legacy. The evening will feature the traditional play El Doctor Pa i Aigua inside the Santa Maria del Pi Basilica.
While the full schedule will be released in early March, the festival is expected to include its signature events such as human towers (castellers) and musical parades. The celebration honors Sant Josep Oriol, a saint deeply connected to this historic neighborhood of Barcelona.