What to do for Barcelona's Santa Eulàlia festival

A six-day celebration in honor of Barcelona's second patron saint Santa Eulàlia will take place throughout the city from February 7 to February 12. 

This year marks the 650th anniversary of Santa Eulàlia as a patron saint of the Catalan capital, which will be celebrated with a special parade through the streets of the Gothic quarter February 9. 

Traditional activities 

The first events will start on Friday, February 7 with musical performances on Plaça Sant Jaume and a procession towards Santa Maria del Mar Basilica.  

The traditional Àliga Ball dance will take place in front of the basilica that evening. 

On Saturday, many activities will be held such as parades, dances, fire running 'correfocs' and concerts. 

'Castells' or human towers will perform on Sunday. 

Many museums and public buildings will be free for visitors, including Barcelona city hall on February 8. 

5 things to do during Santa Eulàlia 

• CosmoCaixa  

The science museum will offer free entry on Wednesday, February 12 from 10 am to 8 pm. A modernist building converted into an interactive museum, CosmoCaixa has permanent and temporary exhibitions explaining biology, the cosmos, physics and more. 

• Santa Eulàlia schooner 

The schooner Santa Eulàlia will be accessible for free at Moll de la Fusta in Barcelona's Port Vell on February 12 from 10 am to 5.30 pm, along with the Maritime Museum. The hundred-year-old sailing ship, part of the museum, was one of the last ships to transport goods across the Mediterranean Sea. 

• Sagrada Família  

Gaudí's basilica will have open days with a draw for 8,500 free tickets. Free entry for the lucky winners will take place from 3 pm to 6.30 pm on Saturday and from 3 pm to 7 pm on Sunday. The visit includes the interior of the Basilica, the museum and the Escoles building. You have until February 2, 9 pm to register for the draw. 

• Montjuic Castle 

Free guided tours of the castle will be available on February 12, every 30 minutes from 11 am to 4.30 pm. The shortened tour will take visitors to different parts of the castle. 

• Arús Public library 

Free tours of the old public library will take place February 12 from 10 am to 2.30 pm. Visitors will be able to access rooms that are normally closed to the public. Inaugurated in 1895, the research library is now specialized in the labour movement, anarchism and Sherlock Holmes.  

Santa Eulalià festivities will end on Wednesday with the placing of the Santa Eulàlia flag in Plaça de Sant Jaume and traditional sardana dances. 

Another parade with dancing giants, 'capgrossos', a dance and fireworks will bring the festivities to a close.