How to make the most of Sant Jordi’s Day in Barcelona

Catalonia bursts into a colorful festival of love, culture, and their patron saint on April 23rd every year. Sant Jordi’s Day, a unique celebration that combines World Book Day with the romanticism of the legend of Sant Jordi, turns the city into a rose-and book-filled utopia.

As we don’t want you to miss anything, here are some plans that will surely make this special day even more memorable:

The starting point

Every year Biblioteques de Barcelona invites a famous person to make the Opening Speech of Sant Jordi’s Day. This year it will be done by British writer and actor David Walliams on Sunday April 22^nd at El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria. The next day, the british writer will be at CASA SEAT singing some of his works such as Gangsta Granny (Montena) and Grannysaurus (Beascoa).

The tradition with the music

Sant Jordi is the festivity of all the Catalan nation, where anywhere in the city of Barcelona you will be able to find many businesses, restaurants, museums, hospitals, markets that organize activities for the public to enjoy a Sant Jordi day in a more special way.

L’Antiga Fabrica d’Estrella Damm organizes ‘El Sant Jordi Musical’, as every year, with a great musical proposal and free entrance. This edition will count with more than 25 artists, such as Els Amics de les Arts, FigaFlawas and many other Catalan bands and singers. You will also find food trucks, roses, your favorite artists signing albums and books. Cruïlla Festival offers you the best experience 15% discounted tickets or passes for the Festival Cruïlla 2024 using the code SANTJORDI24 until April 24.

Culture, culture and more culture

Being Sant Jordi one of the most cultural day you must celebrate the day by visiting some of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings during their open house hours. Recinte Modernista Sant Pau offers visits of the emblematic modernist building from 9:30am to 6:30pm, in addition to the usual concerts, jam sessions, and book readings, there’s a unique proposal this year: to discover the references to the legend of Sant Jordi hidden in different corners of the old hospital. Ateneu Barcelonès invites you from 11am to 8 pm to explore the beautiful building and modernist library, enjoy free readings of Catalan literature and catch a free play («El Quadern Gris») at 6:30pm.

If you are looking for a flea market, Casa Bonay offers an immersive market that celebrates the essence of this beloved day, with books from Apartamento, handmade roses from homeless charity Arrels and a selection of new and second-hand vendors selected by Flea Market Barcelona and Souvenir Store.

Special gastronomy for this special day

Foodies can indulge in special Sant Jordi menus crafted by local restaurants, like the one offered at the elegant 128 Rambla Restaurant, known for its beautiful views and Sant Jordi-inspired dishes. Alternatively, for a more romantic and intimate experience, couples can visit Casa Jordi, a traditional Catalan restaurant offering a cozy setting and a taste of local flavors. For a luxurious experience, Hotel El Palace Barcelona might be the answer, the Hotel offers a special menu with traditional dishes from Catalonia. Or you can opt for the contemporary menu of Seventeen Restaurant.

The solidarity of this day

For those who are looking to give to the community on this special day, many foundations, research institutes, NGOs and hospitals, organize charity fundraisings. For every rose you send to Vall d’Hebron on this special day, you collaborate at the Programa Amable. This year the Majestic Hotel is partnering with the IRES Foundation and transforming the hotel lobby into a showcase of 1200 solidarity roses, hidden among the roses there are vouchers with prizes such as dinners at the SOLC Restaurant, treatments at the Majestic SPA and stays for two.

Fundació Comtal launches a solidarity campaign aimed to ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to achieve their life project, you can buy roses and bookmarks and Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, offers solidarity roses to raise money for charity and research. Tomorrow several renowned writers will visit the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, including Víctor Amela, Martí Gironell, among others, there will also be book fairs, music by the CIMA Foundation and Jordi Savall, and more activities for all patients and their families to enjoy. Throughout the day, Fundació Pasqual Maragall has a stand with roses and a mural where you will be able to buy the book «Records«, in which friends of Pasqual Maragall explain their experiences with the politician in a cheerful and emotional way.