Things to do in Barcelona in November 2026

In November the city changes pace. There are far fewer cruise ships, the queues at the Sagrada Família shrink and accommodation costs less than in summer or September. It's good walking weather: highs usually sit between 15 and 19°C, the evenings draw in early and the odd week brings rain. It's the month of film festivals, the first roast chestnuts and the big seasonal exhibitions.

We've gone through the organisers' websites so that every date below is confirmed for 2026. Programmes still change, though, so always check the official website before you go.

Festivals and traditions

All Saints' Day and the end of the Castanyada

The Castanyada is celebrated on the night of 31 October, and 1 November is All Saints' Day. This year it falls on a Sunday, so there's no extra day off. It's a good day for chestnuts from a street stall and a box of panellets before they vanish from the bakery windows.

The Clot and Camp de l'Arpa festa major

From 30 October to 15 November the Clot and Camp de l'Arpa neighbourhoods (Sant Martí district) hold their festa major around Sant Martí's day, 11 November. Expect gegants (giant figures) and stick dancers, a day of castells (human towers), the Esbart Sant Martí's ball de rams outside the parish church and a correfoc by the Diables del Clot to close. It's a genuine neighbourhood party with very few tourists. Times are published in the city council's listings.

Christmas lights and the Fira de Santa Llúcia

The Christmas lights are usually switched on on a Saturday in late November, on Passeig de Gràcia. In 2025 it was 22 November; the 2026 date is still to be confirmed.

The Fira de Santa Llúcia, the Christmas market in front of the cathedral, traditionally opens in late November (on 28 November in 2025). The 2026 dates are also still to be confirmed: check the fair's website before you go.

Music and culture

In-Edit: music documentaries

The music documentary festival reaches its 24th edition and runs from 29 October to 8 November, with around fifty films across several cinemas in the city and national and international competitions. Tickets and times are at in-edit.org.

Festival 42: fantasy, sci-fi and horror

From 4 to 8 November Fabra i Coats in Sant Andreu hosts the festival of science fiction, fantasy and horror run by the Barcelona Institute of Culture. It brings in leading writers and creators from the genre and puts the focus on young audiences. Programme at barcelona.cat/festival42.

MIRA: digital arts

The 15th MIRA takes place on 6 and 7 November at Fira Montjuïc: live electronic music paired with visual shows. If you like the format, there are warm-up events at Sala Apolo earlier that week. Details at mirafestival.com.

Say it Loud!

On Saturday 14 November Paral·lel 62 gives a whole night to reggae, soul, funk, hip-hop and jazz, with David Rodigan on the bill.

L'Alternativa: independent film

From 12 to 22 November Barcelona's independent film festival holds its 33rd edition, with the CCCB as its main venue. There are feature and short film competitions and a free programme in the CCCB's hall. Everything is at alternativa.cccb.org.

Barcelona Jazz Festival

The festival is marking its 60th anniversary with a long season that runs into the spring. November's big night is Tuesday 3 November: Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves at the Palau de la Música Catalana. The rest of the line-up is at jazz.barcelona.

Football: Barça v Aston Villa

On Tuesday 3 November at 9pm Barça host Aston Villa at Spotify Camp Nou on matchday four of the Champions League. Buy tickets only through the club's official website; not all of November's league kick-off times have been fixed yet.

Exhibitions

• World Press Photo 2026, at the CCCB, from 6 November to 13 December. The year's best press photography; go on a weekday morning to see it in peace. More information.
• Picasso and architecture, at the Museu Picasso, from 20 November to 7 March 2027. It traces the painter's relationship with architecture from cubism to his last works, as part of Barcelona's World Capital of Architecture programme. Museum website.
• El viatge invers. Un fresc sonor al romànic, at MNAC, from 12 November to 30 April 2027. A sound-based project in conversation with Romanesque art, the museum's great collection. MNAC website.

Food

November is the season for roast chestnuts and sweet potatoes: the chestnut sellers keep their stalls going around the centre for a few weeks after the Castanyada. It's also the height of mushroom season (bolets). At La Boqueria and Santa Caterina market you'll see rovellons (saffron milk caps), ceps and black trumpets, and plenty of Catalan restaurants put them on the menu: in a rice dish, grilled or with botifarra sausage.

For the rest of your seasonal shopping, our guide to Barcelona's food markets tells you which one is nearest.

With children

• Festival 42 (4 to 8 November): it focuses on young audiences, so for teenagers who read fantasy and sci-fi it's an easy win.
• The Clot festa major (30 October to 15 November): young children love the gegants and the stick dancers. The correfoc is another matter: if you go with kids, keep well back and wear cotton clothes.
• Christmas lights (late November, date to be confirmed): a walk along a lit-up Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via is a classic autumn evening out.

A tip from us: in November it gets dark at around quarter to six. Plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and save museums, cinema and concerts for the evening.

Your home in Barcelona in November

It's a good month to stay a few weeks and live the city like a local. Have a look at our apartments and, if you're planning beyond November, see our Barcelona festivals calendar.