Forget summer sangria – Barcelona’s hottest celebration happens in winter. Every February, the city honours its co-patron saint, Santa Eulàlia, with a five-day explosion of Catalan culture: towering casteller human castles, fire-spitting correfoc dragons, swirling sardana dances, and parades of gegants (giants) down the Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets.
Locals call it “La Laia” – and the best part? It’s completely free!
Here’s how to dive into the action when you fly from London Southend Airport to Barcelona this winter.
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What is Festes de Santa Eulàlia?
From Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 February 2026, the Ciutat Vella district becomes a stage for hundreds of open-air performances and processions.
Across the week you can see giant parades of gegants and gegantones weaving through the old town, the dizzying spectacle of casteller human towers in Plaça de Sant Jaume on Sunday 15 February, and the fiery chaos of the Correfoc on Saturday 14 February, when devils, drums and pyrotechnic beasts charge through the streets.
The programme also includes the Baixada de Santa Eulàlia dance, sardanas, children’s dance troupes, and open-air concerts, as well as the colourful Les Laies procession of female giants on Thursday 12 February, marking the saint’s feast day. Special exhibitions round out the celebration, from the 650th anniversary of the Àliga de la Ciutat to displays of festive costumes and puppets at La Casa dels Entremesos.
Everything unfolds in plazas, streets, and historic landmarks, with key spots including Plaça de Sant Jaume, Avinguda de la Catedral, Plaça del Rei, La Rambla, and Moll de la Fusta.
Affordable, Festive and Free
La Laia is one of Europe’s most accessible major festivals: all official events are free, and most are outdoors. Some exhibitions and “open doors” museum days (like City Hall on Sat 14 Feb) may have limited capacity – arrive early or book online where possible. You can easily fill a weekend with music, dance, and folk culture without touching your wallet.
The Gothic Quarter’s labyrinth of medieval streets makes a perfect stage – especially at night when torches, drums and sparks from the correfoc light up the façades. Between performances, warm up with xurros i xocolata from a corner café, explore the Picasso Museum (often included in open-doors days), or wander down to the marina for winter sea views. The mild Mediterranean weather in Barcelona in winter means you can enjoy street events in comfort – no heavy coats needed.
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Tips & Tricks for the Best La Laia Experience
- Mark your calendar: The big days are Thu 12 Feb (Les Laies procession, feast day celebrations) and Sat 14 Feb (Correfoc).
- For castellers: Arrive at Plaça de Sant Jaume early on Sun 15 Feb to secure a front-row view of these dizzying human towers.
- Fire run safety: For the Correfoc, wear long sleeves, avoid synthetics, and stand a little back from the sparks unless you’re joining in with protective gear.
- Open-doors days: On Sat 14 Feb, City Hall opens to the public; many museums also drop their entry fee – perfect for pairing culture with the festa.
- Get your bearings: Many processions loop through narrow streets – grab the official route map from the festival website to plan your viewing spots.
- Stay central: Accommodation in the Gothic Quarter or El Born will put you within easy walking distance of most events, saving on transport.
Ready to swap February blues for a blaze of Catalan colour? Fly from London Southend Airport to Barcelona this winter and join La Laia’s giants, dancers, and devils for a celebration that costs nothing but leaves you with a head full of memories.
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