What to do in Barcelona in October

Now that the oppressive heat of the Barcelona summer has left us, it’s time to enjoy the cooler weather. October is a great time of the year in Barcelona – so kick off those flip flops, swap shorts and summer dresses for those new jeans you’ve been waiting a lifetime to wear and enjoy some seriously cool events.

Here’s our pick of the places to be in Barcelona and the surrounding areas this October.  

Viu Montjuïc, el Parc de la Cultura

Following last year’s first edition, ‘Viu Montjuïc’ returns for a second time, with a weekend featuring more than 60 activities. With music, games, open doors events, cinema screenings, historical exhibitions and more, you’ll be able to see a different side to Montjuïc’s many wonderful locations.

Viu Montjuïc takes place over the 8th and 10th October. For more information, including the programme of the event’s activities, visit the Viu Montjuïc website.

Cavatast

Known as the capital of Cava, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia is less than a mile away from Barcelona. Surrounded by a stunning wine-growing landscape and home to more than eighty Cava producers, this quaint small town also hosts Cavatast – the most important Cava event of the year and an unmissable experience for anyone with an interest in Cava and Catalan cuisine.

You can get to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia on the R4 train to Sant Vicenç De Calders, which leaves regularly from Barcelona Sants. Cavatast runs from 7–9th of October and tickets are from €5.

Oktoberfest

Barcelona’s take on the legendary boisterous Bavarian beer fest combines live music, typical German cuisine, a merry atmosphere and, not forgetting, delectable German beer. Running from the 5th until the 16th October, it promises to be 12 days of pure fun – if you can’t make it to Germany, this is the next best thing.

Oktoberfest Barcelona takes place at the Plaza Universo of Fira Barcelona Montjuïc, the conference centre next to Plaza España. There’s limited capacity, so pick your date and make a table reservation ahead of time. 

Bravas Fest @ Poble Espanyol

One of the most beloved of Spain’s traditional tapas dishes, bravas are, at their best, deliciously crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside, served with an irresistible subtly spiced sauce. There’s an art to making the perfect patatas bravas dish, as any self respecting Spanish foodie will tell you, and the weekend of the 8th and 9th October will see 10 restaurants serve up their artful offerings at the first edition of Bravas Fest, at Poble Espanyol. 

Enjoy your bravas with a side of live music, workshops and prize giveaways. Get your tickets from the Poble Espanyol website.

BAUM Festival

One of Europe’s biggest and best tattoo festivals, BAUM Festival returns for its 25th edition in the Fira de Barcelona, Plaza España. Motorcycle exhibitions, skateboard shows and breakdance competitions complement the tattoo magic of artists from all over the world, who will be tattooing live in their own allocated booths. Visitors will be able to find out more about the increasingly popular urban art form, while either getting inspired or getting inked by some of the world’s foremost tattoo talents.  

Tickets are from €15 and BAUM Festival takes place on 7–9th October.