Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Barcelona is a great way to end one year and begin another. There are lots of traditions to join in, parties to enjoy and fabulous fireworks all across the city. If you’re thinking of visiting Barcelona for New Year 2024 I’ve got the low-down on what you can expect from a New Year in Barcelona!
New Year’s Eve in Barcelona 2023/2024
During the pandemic, there were some major changes to New Year events in Barcelona when large gatherings were discouraged and official fireworks were cancelled. There was even a 1am curfew on New Year’s Eve back in 2021!
However, New Year’s Eve 2022/2023 Barcelona celebrations were back with a bang and New Year 23/24 is set to be just as amazing.
New Year is known in Spanish as nochevieja or las fiestas del fin de año, and cap d’any in Catalan, so you might see posters and information about cap d’any or nochevieja in Barcelona as both languages are spoken here.
Is Barcelona Good for New Year’s Eve?
If you’re wondering if Barcelona is a good place to spend New Year’s Eve, YES IT IS! Barcelona is a great city to party, and the New Year parties in Barcelona are legendary. There is something for everyone, from fine dining and fireworks to full on club nights and all night dancing, you’re bound to start the new year in the best way here!
If you’re wondering whether to spend New Year’s Eve 2024 in Barcelona, then read on for more information about all the New Year’s Eve parties in Barcelona!
Know Before You Go to Barcelona
Before travelling to Barcelona, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
⭐ TOP 3 BARCELONA ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1: Park Guell Admission Ticket - colourful mosaic terraces and gorgeous views
2: Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket - a must-see in Barcelona!
3: Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour - stunning Modernist Building & rooftop
⭐ DAY TRIPS FROM BARCELONA TO EXTEND YOUR STAY
1. Montserrat Tour with Optional Lunch & Wine Tasting
2. Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Tour
3. Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour
🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN BARCELONA:
$$: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon - Incredible view of the Sagrada Familia from some rooms and the terrace
$$: H10 Madison 4* Sup - top location with rooftop pool & view of the Gothic Cathedral
$: Chic & Basic Lemon Boutique Hotel - great value hotel near Plaça Catalunya
❗BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS❗
Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro. Use a theft-proof backpack and consider getting some hidden-pocket clothing to keep your belongings safe.
Find Deals to Book Your Trip
New Year Events in Barcelona
Barcelona New Years Eve Party Fireworks
The official New Year event in Barcelona is the fireworks and pyrotechnic display on Avinguda Maria Cristina next to Plaça d’Espanya.
In previous years the Magic Fountain musical display has been part of the event, but as there have been drought conditions in Spain this year, unfortunately, the fountain will not be in operation.
Instead, music, fireworks, grand staging and spectacular tech innovation will take over Av. Reina Maria Cristina and make it a special place to see in 2024. The show is performed by the Groupe F company, and directed by Christophe Berthonneau.
The event begins at around 11pm on 31st December 2023 and runs until 12.15 am on the 1st January 2024.
It is completely free to attend and tickets aren’t required to enter the area. It does get extremely busy, so plan to arrive early to get a good spot, and bring some drinks and snacks with you.
After the event when everyone leaves there are big queues at the metro stations around the area so plan to stay nearby or walk to your next New Year’s Eve party stop if you can!
Poble Espanyol
Poble Espanyol is a unique venue in Montjuic, it is an open-air architectural museum that during the day showcases buildings and culture from all the regions of Spain. Montjuic is quite close to Plaça d’Espanya so this could be a good place to go after watching the fireworks.
For Christmas and New Year, the museum hosts special festive events, including a huge New Year’s Eve party in Barcelona which runs from 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve through until 6am on New Year’s Day!
Prices start from around €40 euros if you buy early bird tickets, and increase the closer you get to the night – up to €100 if you buy a ticket on the night (subject to availability).
Tickets don’t include dinner, but include some drinks vouchers, grapes at midnight and access to the party pavilions. Some fast food trucks will be available to buy food.
Upgraded tickets with more drinks and reserved tables are on sale too, including exclusive access to the VIP AREA, a unique space with incredible views of Barcelona. Get more information and buy tickets here.
Barcelona New Year’s Eve Parties with Dinner
Many hotels, restaurants and special venues will arrange New Year’s Eve parties and events including dinner and music afterwards. For recommendations on hotels in Barcelona for New Year, scroll down and I’ll keep adding to this list as and when I find good New Year’s Eve packages for you!
Tablao de Carmen Flamenco Show
For a unique experience, what about watching a flamenco show to celebrate the New year? Tablao de Carmen in Poble Espanyol offer a special New Year’s Eve party package including a 4 course dinner, flamenco show and after party with an open bar.
Tickets start from €175 per person, or €95 per child from 4-12 years old. Get more info and book tickets here.
Barcelona Hotels and Restaurants on New Year’s Eve
Hotel Arts – Enoteca Paco Pérez
The 5-Star Hotel Arts has a dinner and overnight stay package available for New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Pantry, their onsite restaurant, which includes the celebration dinner, drinks and music, as well as 2 night’s accommodation and the Recovery Breakfast on New Year’s Day.
For a more intimate evening, Enoteca Paco Pérez, the two-Michelin-star restaurant at the hotel has a luxurious tasting menu on offer eith dishes including spider crab, lobster and wagyu sirloin wellington. The menu is priced at 395€ per person including VAT but not drinks. You can add a wine pairing for the meal for 190€ per person. Learn more & book a table.
Edition Hotel Barcelona
Another 5-Star hotel in Barcelona, the Edition is welcoming New Year 2024 with events in 3 different venues at the hotel:
- Veraz which includes dinner and live music and access to the afterparty at Cabaret
- Cabaret which includes dinner and live music and the afterparty
- The Roof, the rooftop terrace which includes dinner, a DJ set and access to the afterparty at Cabaret
Prices start from €160 per person for the Roof, and accommodation packages are available. Learn more here.
Shoko
This Asian fusion restaurant and nightclub is offering a gala dinner menu with wine and half a bottle of champagne included for a specific time that you book between 8pm to 9.15pm. The price includes shows during dinner, and last year also included club entrance but that isn’t mentioned in the details this year. Tickets start from €320 per person. More info.
Batea
This excellent seafood restaurant in Barcelona has a special New Year’s Eve dinner menu including six savoury courses, a refreshing cocktail, dessert and petit fours for €110 per person, not including drinks. You can find the menu on their Facebook page, and you’ll need to make a reservation on their website to book your table.
Other restaurants to look out for include Hard Rock Café Barcelona, CDLC Barcelona, Torre de Alta Mar, Bodega Joan, Els 4 Gats and El Nacional.
Barcelona Nightclubs for New Year’s Eve
After dinner, nightclubs in Barcelona also put on special events for NYE, so depending on what kind of music and vibe you’re looking for there are some great options.
Where is the best Club to go to New Year’s in Barcelona?
Which is the best option for you depends on what kind of music and vibe you’re into, so I’ve picked a selection for you here. Some places haven’t announced the details of their New Year Parties yet, so I’ll update this list as I find more. All of these New Year’s Eve events are for over 18s only.
Pacha Barcelona New Year’s Eve
This famous club replicates a piece of Ibiza in its Barcelona beach club in Port Olímpic. Entry tickets only starts from €40 excluding a drink as an early bird special, or from €50 including one drink. You can also pre-book VIP bottle service and tables on their website. Learn more and book tickets here.
Opium New Year’s Eve Party
Another of the top nightclubs in Barcelona, Opium’s New Year’s Eve event 2024 kicks off at 12.15 am on 1st January until 6am, unless you have an early access ticket for entry from 11pm, which includes 12 lucky grapes for midnight.
Tickets start from €50 per person and don’t include drinks. Dress code is casual and the music is described as reggaeton and hits. There are also dining menus available. Learn more.
Shoko
If you don’t want to dine at Shoko you can still head to the beachfront nightclub for their New Year’s Eve party after dinner. Doors open at 00.30 unless you get the Countdown tickets which allow entry from 10.30pm, and the club closes at dawn. Prices start from €60 per person including 1 drink. More info & tickets.
Razzmatazz New Year Party
Sala Razzmatazz is one of the largest clubs in Barcelona with 5 different rooms to choose from and DJs banging out the tunes. Doors open at 10.30pm and there are two levels of tickets depending on whether you arrive before or after midnight.
Tickets for the 10.30pm opening start from 64.50€ and include 2 drinks, a party bag, 12 lucky grapes and a glass of cava, and a Razz tshirt. For entry after midnight it’s €55.50 and you just get the two drinks vouchers and a t-shirt if there are any left. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Sala Apolo New Year’s Event
Apolo has a New Year’s eve event running, with two rooms to choose from – Nitsa and Astin with DJs including Klara Missyle, Marc Piñol, Aines and Drazzit. Tickets are €35 in advance, or €45 on the door (subject to availability) and include one drink. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Otto Zutz
With the R&B, Hip Hop and Reggaeton and 3 dancefloors to choose from, Otto Zutz is another fab New Year’s Eve party in Barcelona which runs from midnight to 7am. Entry tickets start from €20 per person without any drinks included, and VIP table packages are available. Check the details & buy tickets here.
Other clubs to check out for a New Year Party in Barcelona include: Carpe Diem, Fira, Jamboree or Bling Bling
Things to do on New Year’s Eve in Barcelona
Eat Dinner
New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time for families to get together and enjoy a special dinner before going out and enjoying the festivities. Most restaurants in Barcelona will have some sort of New Year’s eve dinner package on offer, although smaller family-run places may be closed.
Watch the Fireworks
The biggest fireworks display is the official New Year Celebrations on Avinguda Maria Cristina next to Plaça d’Espanya.
However, there are smaller private and public displays going on right across the city. If you don’t make it to Plaça d’Espanya then head to the beach or to a rooftop terrace so you can watch the fireworks from there.
The big displays won’t start until just before midnight, but you can usually see some all through the evening. Most locals won’t head outside until after dinner (which could get close to midnight anyway!) so don’t rush.
Run 10k
If you fancy a challenge to end the year, sign up to do the Cursa dels Nassos (the Race of the Noses), taking place on 31st December every year. The website is mostly in Catalan, but you can register here before 21st December.
There is an €18 registration fee to take part, and the race begins at 5.15pm. The route is around Poble Nou, along the road that runs parallel to the seafront, down to the Ciutadela Park and back through Poble Nou. Check the website for more details.
The Best Place to Spend New Year’s in Barcelona
When you’re thinking about where to spend New Year’s Eve in Barcelona you need to consider what you want to do, what your budget is, and how to get back to your accommodation afterwards.
Joining a public event like the fireworks at Plaça Espanya is an unforgettable experience, but if you’ve booked a hotel on the other side of the city getting back there isn’t going to be easy! A good combination is to watch the fireworks and then go to Poble Espanyol which is nearby.
Public Transport for New Year in Barcelona
The Metro
Barcelona metro service will run all night on New Year’s Eve, but expect it to be very busy. Getting to large events, in particular the fireworks at Plaça Espanya may involve getting off the metro at a different stop and walking to the event if the nearest station is closed due to the volume of people.
The same goes for leaving after the fireworks – you might be better walking to the stops before Plaça d’Espanya (that is Hostafrancs on L1 or Tarragona on L3) to try and avoid the queues to get onto the metro.
It’s a good idea to have a metro ticket already before you go out so you don’t end up queuing at the ticket machines. The Hola Barcelona card includes unlimited transport on the metro, bus, tram and local train services during the day, although it doesn’t include Night Buses, the metro runs all night on New Year’s Eve. Read more about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card here.
Remember that pickpockets can be a big problem in Barcelona, especially in crowds and on the busy metro and bus! Avoid bringing any valuables with you and keep a close eye on your belongings.
Bus Services
Buses and night buses (NitBus) will also be running. Most of the night bus services begin between 10.40pm and 11.40pm and end between 5am and 6am, although there may be alternative timetables in place for New Year’s Eve. At the time of writing, I can’t find any confirmation of timetables on the Barcelona transport website so check if before you travel.
You can buy a single ticket on the bus using a smart phone or contactless credit card (not cash), or buy a transport ticket in advance at the metro station as the same tickets are used on the buses and metro.
Taxis
Taxi drivers will be working in Barcelona for New Year, although they too will be busy! It is also likely to busy on the roads so expect to get stuck in traffic wherever you are going and pay extra for the privilege. Uber is in Barcelona although there are not many drivers so you can end up waiting a while, but you can also order regular taxis through the Uber app, or try Bolt or Cabify.
Walking
Going on foot is likely to be the most stress-free way of getting around Barcelona on New Year’s Eve, as long as you don’t have to cross the entire city! There will be plenty of people on the streets, but remember to still keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings. Drunk tourists make for an easy target for thieves!
Barcelona New Year Traditions
No matter what kind of celebrations and parties are going on, some Spanish and Catalan traditions are upheld every single year.
Eat 12 Grapes at Midnight
This Spanish tradition involves listening for the clock chimes at midnight and eating a grape for every chime. It is more difficult than it sounds – make sure you have grapes without seeds as that can cause serious problems!
You can buy a pack of 12 grapes ready for you to eat if you like which is easier, although it is definitely a waste of plastic! You won’t be surprised to learn that the price of grapes increases dramatically in the week leading up to New Year’s Eve!
Apparently, this tradition of eating grapes began when there was an unusually large and late grape harvest, so it was a way to encourage people to use the fruit instead of it going off. It was certainly a great marketing idea for grape producers!
Drink Cava
Cava is the Catalan equivalent of champagne, and having a glass or two of cava is a great way to welcome in the New Year and wash down your grapes.
People also gather at Plaça Cataluyna to see in the New Year, then throw their bottles of cava into the middle of the square – fun to watch but not everyone’s aim is accurate so watch out for flying bottles!
Wear Red Underwear
I’m not sure how or why this tradition started but wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve in Barcelona is supposed to bring you good luck, love and passion for the year ahead. It’s always worth a try!
Where to Stay in Barcelona for New Year
If you’re planning to visit Barcelona in winter, New Year’s Eve is a fabulous time to come to the city. The Christmas lights are still sparkling everywhere and Barcelona is in the mood for a party! You could also spend Christmas in Barcelona and extend your stay to cover New Year too!
Hotels to Spend New Year in Barcelona
The larger hotels in Barcelona will be planning their own New Year’s events, which could include a dinner or an evening celebration along with the bedroom packages. Some hotels will have restrictions on one-night stays so you may have to book at least 2 nights to get your preferred hotel.
If you don’t plan to go out to see the fireworks then booking a hotel with a rooftop terrace is a must so you can watch the fireworks and then head downstairs to bed. Make sure you check with the hotel that the terrace will remain open past midnight!
Alternatively, if you know you’re going to hit the town till the early hours, staying somewhere close to where you will celebrate will save you time, money and effort when you try to get back at the end of the night (or the next morning).
W Hotel
The W Hotel is an iconic place to stay in Barcelona, and some rooms have incredible views of the coastline. The hotel has gala dinner packages available if you want to book a dinner or check out the rooms available on Booking.com >>CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
Book a City View Room at the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza to watch the fireworks at Plaça Espanya right from your room! The city-view rooms sell out quickly, but if you book a standard room you can see the fireworks from the roof terrace, or walk across the street to watch them with the crowd, safe in the knowledge you’re steps away from your bedroom. >>>CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
Sercotel Hotel Rossello
Sercotel Hotel Rossello is one of the only hotels in Barcelona with a close-up view of La Sagrada Familia from some bedrooms, waking up to this stunning building outside your window is a great way to start the year! There is a rooftop terrace with a bar where you can enjoy a drink before heading out.
There is a view of Placa Espanya from the terrace but it isn’t the best place to watch the fireworks in Barcelona. >>>CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
More Things to do in Barcelona in January
Once you’ve enjoyed the New Year’s Eve celebrations, stay around for a few days and enjoy more of the city. Visiting Barcelona in January can be a great time to enjoy the city when it is relatively quiet without the usual throngs of tourists!
Go for a New Year’s Day Swim
On 1st January, Barceloneta Swimming Club organise a group swim in the sea to kick off the New Year and clear out any hangovers you might have! Only for the brave, while winter weather in Barcelona isn’t usually too bad the water will still be pretty cold, around 14°C!
This first swim of the year or ‘Primer Bany de l’Any’ in Catalan usually takes place on Sant Sebastià beach in Barceloneta at 12pm noon and is free to take part. If you register (and pay a small fee to charity) in advance with the swimming club Club Natació Atlètic you can get a certificate and use their facilities to have a hot shower and warm up after the swim!
Even if you don’t want to take part, head down to the beach to cheer on the brave swimmers and watch the spectacle
Christmas Markets
While most of the Christmas Markets in Barcelona end on Christmas eve, a couple continue into the New Year, as traditionally gifts aren’t given to the children until King’s day on 6th January.
la Fira de Reis is a Christmas Market on Gran Vía between Muntaner and Rocafort streets with stalls selling stalls, gifts and handmade crafts that is open daily from 10am to 9pm until 6th January.
La Fira de Nadal del Port Vell is another Christmas market in Port Vell, close to the Columbus Monument. It is open daily, from 9th December until 6th January. Timings vary, although from 18th December to the 6th January it is scheduled to open from 11am to 11pm, except on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and 6th January when it opens from 5.30pm to 10.30pm.
Kings Day Parades
The 5th January is another big celebration for King’s Day, when the three Kings arrive by boat into Port Vell and parade through the streets, throwing sweets to children as they pass by.
The Kings arrive into Port Vell in the afternoon, and the parade usually begins around 6pm, heading up Via Laietana, through Plaça Catalunya and along to Plaça d’Espanya and finishing close to the Magic Fountain at Montjuic. The route of the parade changes every year so check this website for details of the route and timings.
Hit the January Sales
Like most places around the world, there are big sales that kick off in stores all around the city so if you’re looking to do some shopping then you can save lots of cash!
Head to Passeig de Gracia for high-end designer stores, Portal del’Angel for high-street names, and the streets of the Gothic Quarter and El Born for independent boutiques.
Enjoy the Rest of Barcelona
While most of the museums and attractions in Barcelona will be closed on New Year’s Day for the public holiday, they will open up again the following day so you can find plenty of things to do in Barcelona in January. From walking along the beach to visiting iconic Gaudi architectural gems like la Sagrada Familia you certainly won’t get bored.
If the weather is poor, there are plenty of museums in Barcelona to enjoy too, or the Barcelona aquarium is another fabulous place to visit, especially if you’re visiting Barcelona with kids.
I hope this post has given you some useful information and tips to help you enjoy your New year’s Eve in Barcelona this year!
