Best ways to spend New Year's Eve 2024 in Barcelona and Catalonia

There's no shortage of fun things to do on New Year's Eve in Catalonia to welcome 2024. Whether it's the dazzling official city celebration on Montjuïc, a lively party in Poble Espanyol, the traditional New Year's Eve race, torchlight parades in the snowy Pyrenees, or a breathtaking sunrise from Cap de Creus, Catalonia offers a range of unforgettable experiences.

Barcelona's official New Year's celebration

For the past ten years, Barcelona's official New Year's Eve celebration has been held on the Reina Maria Cristina Avenue, between Montjuïc's Font Màgica and Plaça Espanya. The spectacle of fireworks, lights and music is truly breathtaking, and last year 120,000 people attended.

This year's event will be organized by Groupe F, a producer specialized in the design and execution of live shows and pyrotechnic events. The show will be directed by Christophe Berthonneau, internationally known for his spectacular shows.   

The show will begin at 11:00 pm and last until 12:15 am, but it is recommended to arrive before 9:30 pm to ensure a good spot. The event is free and there is no capacity limit.   

Unfortunately, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc will not be part of the spectacle due to the ongoing drought restrictions.

Poble Espanyol's iconic party

One of the largest and most affordable New Year's Eve parties in Barcelona takes place in this collection of typical buildings representing various Spanish regions.

The Poble Espanyol venue organizes a New Year's Eve party where people enjoy Spain's different architecture and celebrate 2024.

Tickets start at €40 and include access to the party, four drinks, grapes, and a party bag. All the most popular hits will be played to make sure you and your friends dance your hearts out in this emblematic enclosure of the city.

Run into the New Year with a Saint Sylvester race 

Saint Sylvester races are a traditional way to end the year in Catalonia. The biggest one is held in Barcelona, and is called “La Cursa dels Nassos” (The Noses Race). Yet, many towns and villages throughout the country also organize Saint Sylvester races.

It is common for participants to dress up, with Santa hats being the most popular item. Sant Cugat del Vallès, near Barcelona, organizes a 10 km race that takes runners through the town and its old quarters. Berga, in northern Catalonia, organizes a 5 km race. 

Happy Snow Year: skiing in the Pyrenees 

The Pyrenees make Catalonia a perfect destination for mountain-lovers. Most ski resorts are organizing special events to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

One of the most popular activities are the torchlit parades, in which participants ski down the mountain carrying torches.

Some ski resorts in Catalonia organizing special activities on New Year’s Eve are the resorts of La Molina, Boí Taüll and Bequeira Beret. 

Escape to Catalonia's countryside 

Cozy cottages lost in the Catalan countryside are among the most popular options for big groups of friends. Although most houses might be booked by now, it’s never too late to discover Catalonia’s unique array of rural accommodation. For instance, you can visit Mas Els Terrats, in Girona, or Mas Llagostera, west of Barcelona. (For more information, have a look at this compilation of country houses by the Catalan magazine, Descobrir.) 

...and if you’re looking for something to do the morning after 

There are several activities you can do on January 1. If you don’t go to sleep very late, you could go to the “Aplec del Sol Ixent” in Cadaqués, an idyllic seaside town north of Barcelona where the Catalan artist Salvador Dalí lived for many years. At 7am, people gather to watch the sun rise over the lighthouse. In Barcelona, the so-called First Swim of the Yearbrings hundreds of people to La Barceloneta beach to take a dip, despite the cold. Later, the Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta offers the brave participants soup.