Festa Major de la Verneda Returns with Two Weeks of Celebration

The Festa Major de la Verneda 2026 will take place from Friday 6th November to Sunday 15th November in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona. Organised by the Coordinadora d’Entitats Vern, the festival honours the feast day of Sant Martí, celebrated on 11th November, and features a packed programme of traditional and community-led events across the La Verneda i la Pau neighbourhood. Residents and visitors can expect a vibrant mix of Catalan popular culture, including human towers, fire runs, and parades. The festivities are held in multiple public spaces, including Parc de Sant Martí (La Gàbia), Rambleta de Selva de Mar, and Plaça de la Palmera.

Key Events Across the Festival

The opening weekend sets the tone for the celebrations:

  • On Friday 6th November at 7:30 PM, a parade begins at Plaça del 25 de Novembre, proceeding along Rambla de Guipúscoa to Rambleta de Selva de Mar.
  • At 8:30 PM, Xavi Bobi delivers the official opening speech at Rambleta de Selva de Mar.
  • A concert follows at 9:30 PM in the same location.

Saturday 7th November includes:

  • A community paella tasting at 10:00 AM in Parc de Sant Martí.
  • The 36th edition of the Tabalada (drumming parade) starting at 7:00 PM from Ca l’Arnó to Plaça de la Palmera.
  • A correfoc (fire run) at 8:00 PM, moving from Plaça de la Palmera to the park.
  • A headline concert by Doble Cara and DJ Send0 at 10:00 PM in Parc de Sant Martí.

Sunday 8th November features a showcase of local associations at 10:00 AM on Rambla de Guipúscoa, an animal festival at 11:30 AM, and a multicultural music and dance performance titled "Entre Cultures" at 6:00 PM in the Auditori de Sant Martí.

Second Weekend Highlights

The festival resumes on Friday 13th November with a Latin party at 7:00 PM and the eighth SONA VERNEDA concert at 9:00 PM. Saturday 14th November includes a casteller (human tower) performance at 11:30 AM in Plaça de la Palmera, followed by a brotherhood dinner at 9:00 PM at the Centre Cívic de Sant Martí and a youth party at 10:00 PM in the park. The festivities conclude on Sunday 15th November with:

  • A closing parade at 12:00 PM along Rambleta de Selva de Mar.
  • A community lunch at 2:00 PM in Parc de Sant Martí, priced at €10.
  • The ceremonial burning of the end-of-festival effigy at 8:00 PM in the same location.
The Festa Major de la Verneda celebrates the cultural identity of one of Barcelona’s historic neighbourhoods, blending tradition with community participation.

Full details of the programme are available on the official festival website at www.evern.org/fm2026.

Sources: betevé, Ajuntament de Barcelona.