This weekend Barcelona opens its doors: 48h Open House lets you into more than 220 buildings for free that are normally closed to the public. Poble Espanyol keeps its family Halloween going, Ciutat Flamenco says goodbye in style and there are concerts for every taste.
One reminder: the clocks go back on Sunday 25. At 3:00 it becomes 2:00 again, so you get an extra hour of sleep.
The weekend at a glance
48h Open House Barcelona
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, freeHalloween at Poble Espanyol
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, with my discount codeCiutat Flamenco
Last three days, closing with Los AuroraSecond-hand book fair
All weekend on Passeig de GràciaBarcelona Design Week
Last weekend
Here is the weekend, day by day.
If you only have one day, Sunday works perfectly: Open House buildings in the morning, a stroll among the books on Passeig de Gràcia and flamenco at L’Auditori in the evening.
48h Open House, more than 220 buildings open for free
48h Open House Barcelona is the city’s architecture festival. On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, more than 220 spaces in Barcelona and the metropolitan area open their doors: private homes, office buildings, converted factories, public facilities and recent projects that you normally cannot visit.
- It is free.
- Many buildings can be visited without booking, by queuing.
- Some require advance registration on the festival website, and places go fast.
- Many visits are guided by volunteers or by the architects themselves.
My tip: pick one neighbourhood and do a walking route, because the best-known buildings have long queues. The festival website has a recommender that suggests three buildings based on your tastes.
Halloween at Poble Espanyol, for families
Creepy Halloween Family at Poble Espanyol (avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13, on Montjuïc) opens on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, and then on 31 October and 1 November. The streets are decorated, more than 30 characters appear and families follow a trail of clues to the mystery tunnels.
- Mild scare, from 10:00 to 16:00, for little ones.
- Moderate scare, from 17:00.
This is the last weekend at the promotional price on Fever: €14.50 for children aged 2 to 12 and €16.50 from 13. Buy tickets on Fever and use my code BARCELONAINSPIRA10 for 10 % off.
Ciutat Flamenco says goodbye with Los Aurora
Ciutat Flamenco, Taller de Músics’ flamenco festival, has its last three days:
- Friday 23, 19:30. Jordi Latorre at the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris. €15.
- Saturday 24, 20:00. Yoel Vargas at the Centre Artesà Tradicionàrius, in Gràcia. €20 to €23.
- Sunday 25, 19:00. Los Aurora x Catalunya Flamenca at L’Auditori, a show created for the festival. €20.
Tickets are on the Ciutat Flamenco website.
The second-hand book fair stays on Passeig de Gràcia
The 75th Fira del Llibre d’Ocasió Antic i Modern stays on Passeig de Gràcia, between Gran Via and Carrer del Consell de Cent, until 1 November. There are 29 stalls with first editions, comics and books from €3.
- Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 20:30.
- Sunday, 11:00 to 20:30.
Last weekend of Barcelona Design Week
Barcelona Design Week ends on Sunday 25. This year’s theme is PRO-TEST, with its main venue at Disseny Hub Barcelona, on plaça de les Glòries, and routes, workshops and installations across the city. The programme is on the festival website.
Concerts this weekend
- Saturday 24. Dani Martín at Palau Sant Jordi and Fontaines D.C. at Sant Jordi Club.
- Sunday 25. Niall Horan at Palau Sant Jordi.
If jazz is more your thing, the Barcelona Jazz Festival turns 60 with concerts until spring at the Palau de la Música and other venues.
Plans with kids
- Puppets at La Puntual (carrer de l’Allada-Vermell, 15). From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 it is La Flor Romanial by Príncep Totilau, based on a Mallorcan folk tale.
- La Castanyera at La Pedrera. A family workshop about the Castanyada, in Catalan, until 31 October.
- Sharks at CosmoCaixa. A new exhibition that opened on 22 October.
There are many more in Barcelona with kids.
For the international community
On Saturday 24, from 10:00 to 19:00, the Museu Marítim hosts the Barcelona International Community Day, a day for people from abroad living in Barcelona, with organisations, services and activities. It is free with registration.
Weekend summary
| Plan | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48h Open House Barcelona | Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 | More than 220 buildings | Free, some need registration |
| Creepy Halloween Family | Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 | Poble Espanyol | From €14.50, 10 % off with my code |
| Ciutat Flamenco | Friday 23 to Sunday 25 | 9 Barris, Gràcia and L’Auditori | €15 to €23 |
| Second-hand book fair | All weekend | Passeig de Gràcia | Free entry |
| Barcelona Design Week | Until Sunday 25 | Disseny Hub and across the city | Depends on activity |
| Dani Martín and Fontaines D.C. | Saturday 24 | Palau Sant Jordi and Sant Jordi Club | Ticketed |
| Niall Horan | Sunday 25 | Palau Sant Jordi | Ticketed |
| International Community Day | Saturday 24 | Museu Marítim | Free with registration |
If the weather turns, here is what to do in Barcelona when it rains. And to get ready for the next one, Halloween and All Saints, there is the Castanyada in Barcelona. All my favourite places are on the Barcelona map.
Questions about any plan? Message me on Instagram @barcelonainspira and I will help you plan your weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Barcelona this weekend, 23 to 25 October
On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, 48h Open House Barcelona opens more than 220 buildings for free. Poble Espanyol keeps its family Halloween going, Ciutat Flamenco closes on Sunday with Los Aurora at L’Auditori, the second-hand book fair stays on Passeig de Gràcia and it is the last weekend of Barcelona Design Week. Dani Martín and Fontaines D.C. play on Saturday and Niall Horan on Sunday.
When is 48h Open House Barcelona 2026 and how much does it cost
48h Open House Barcelona 2026 takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October. It is free and opens more than 220 spaces in Barcelona and the metropolitan area. Some buildings require advance registration on the festival website, so check it before you go.
When do the clocks go back in October 2026 in Spain
In the early hours of Sunday 25 October. At 3:00 the clocks go back to 2:00, so you get an extra hour of sleep.
Until when is Halloween at Poble Espanyol
Creepy Halloween Family at Poble Espanyol opens on 24, 25 and 31 October and 1 November. Until 25 October, Fever tickets cost 14.50 euros for children aged 2 to 12 and 16.50 euros for anyone 13 and over. The code BARCELONAINSPIRA10 gives you 10 % off.
