This is a long weekend: Monday 12 is a public holiday, so there are four days to fill. La Rambla celebrates its festa major with flowers and free walks, Sitges is in full swing with its fantasy film festival and Oktoberfest says goodbye until next year.
The weekend at a glance
Festa del Roser: until Sunday 11, on La Rambla
NATIVA design fair: 9 to 11 October, Valid World Hall
Sitges Film Festival: 8 to 18 October
Oktoberfest: last weekend, until Sunday 11
Puppet festival at La Puntual: from Friday 9
Barcelona Districte Cultural: free shows, booking required
If you only have one day, make it Saturday: a walk along La Rambla in the morning, free entry to Oktoberfest at lunchtime and the afternoon to yourself.
La Rambla in bloom for the Festa del Roser
The Festa del Roser is La Rambla’s festa major, organised by Amics de la Rambla since 1961. This year it runs from 3 to 11 October, so this is its final weekend.
Flowers take centre stage: 23 decorated spaces, two gardens open to visitors, around 50 free activities, 12 free walks and special menus at local restaurants.
What is left this weekend:
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 9 | 16:00 | Visit to the Fundació Enric Miralles, Passatge de la Pau 10 bis |
| Friday 9 | 18:30 | Walk: La Rambla més fosca, through the Gothic Quarter |
| Saturday 10 | 11:00 | Walk: La Rambla de les Floristes, on Lorca, Sagarra and the flower sellers |
| Saturday 10 | 17:00 | Walk: La Mercè, Barcelona’s first seafront neighbourhood |
| Sunday 11 | 11:00 | Walk: Radiografia de la plaça de Catalunya |
They are all free but require registration on the Amics de la Rambla website, and places are limited. The full programme can be downloaded as a PDF from their site.
NATIVA, independent design, ceramics and floral art
From Friday 9 to Sunday 11, NATIVA is a fair of independent design focused on contemporary ceramics and floral art, bringing together makers and professionals who explore material, form and design.
It takes place at Valid World Hall, Carrer de Bonaventura Muñoz 6.
- Friday 9: 15:00 to 21:00.
- Saturday 10 and Sunday 11: 12:00 to 21:00.
Tickets are sold on Eventbrite. It pairs nicely with the Festa del Roser: flowers on La Rambla and floral art at the fair, on the same weekend.
The Sitges Film Festival opens its 59th edition
The 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia opened on Thursday 8 and runs until Sunday 18. It is the big festival for fantasy and horror cinema, and this year’s guests include Peter Jackson, Kevin Bacon, Danny DeVito and Amy Irving.
Screenings take place at the Auditori Melià, Cinema Prado, the Tramuntana and Llevant halls and the Escorxador. Single tickets start at €11.50, and if you plan to see several films the Pack Fan gives you 10 tickets for €102.
Even without a ticket, the festival atmosphere in town is worth the trip, and the Monday holiday is a good day to go.
Last weekend of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest Barcelona closes on Sunday 11 in Hall 4 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. The venue is indoors, so rain is not a problem.
- Friday 9: 17:00 to 1:00.
- Saturday 10: 12:00 to 1:00.
- Sunday 11: 12:00 to 23:00.
Entry is free on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00. At other times it costs €5, with food and beer paid separately. Expect Paulaner beer, pork knuckle, sausages and live music.
Puppets at La Puntual, for families
On Friday 9 the 21st Barcelona International Puppet Festival opens at La Puntual (Carrer de l’Allada-Vermell 15, Jaume I metro). It runs until 1 November, with a different company each weekend.
This year’s line-up features María Parrato with Caminos, Nina Theatre with Posa-hi el cor, Príncep Totilau with La Flor Romanial and Steve Tiplady with his Pinocchio. Tickets cost roughly €3 to €15, and on Saturdays your ticket includes a free talk and art workshop after the show.
Free theatre, dance and circus near you
Barcelona Districte Cultural kicked off on Thursday 8. Until 19 December it brings 177 free shows of theatre, contemporary dance, circus and music to 36 neighbourhood venues.
Everything is free, but booking is required on the programme’s website, and weekend places go fast. For more culture without an entry fee, see my list of free museums in Barcelona.
And for what’s coming next, the whole month is in my guide to Barcelona in October.
Questions about any of these plans? Message me on Instagram @barcelonainspira and I’ll help you plan your weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Barcelona this weekend, 9 to 12 October
It is a long weekend, as Monday 12 is a public holiday. La Rambla celebrates its festa major, the Festa del Roser, with flower-decorated spaces and free guided walks until Sunday 11. From 9 to 11, NATIVA brings independent design, ceramics and floral art to Valid World Hall. The Sitges Film Festival opened on Thursday 8, Oktoberfest at Fira Gran Via has its last weekend, La Puntual opens its puppet festival on Friday 9 and neighbourhood venues offer free theatre, dance and circus through Barcelona Districte Cultural.
What is NATIVA and where is it held
NATIVA is a fair of independent design, contemporary ceramics and floral art that brings together makers and professionals. It takes place from 9 to 11 October 2026 at Valid World Hall, Carrer de Bonaventura Muñoz 6. It opens on Friday from 15:00 to 21:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 21:00, with tickets sold on Eventbrite.
Do you need to book the Festa del Roser walking tours
Yes. The Festa del Roser walks and visits are free, but they require prior registration on the Amics de la Rambla website and places are limited.
How much does Oktoberfest Barcelona cost
Entry is free on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 16:00. At other times it costs 5 euros, with food and drink paid separately. It takes place in Hall 4 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, and Sunday 11 October is the last day.
How much are tickets for the Sitges Film Festival 2026
Single tickets start at 11.50 euros. There are also packs, such as the Pack Fan with 10 tickets for 102 euros, plus passes for the Auditori. The festival runs from 8 to 18 October.
