Even though you’ll have to wait until 2019 for the next season of Game of Thrones, there’s still plenty to keep you occupied until then, especially if you, or a client, will be in Barcelona. The official Game of Thrones Touring Exhibition will be debuting in the Spanish city at the historic Museu Marítim on October 28.
The interactive experience gives fans an up-close look at authentic props, costumes and set decorations from the HBO show. The exhibition will use immersive environments and multimedia content to bring visitors into Westeros and Essos.
It will also stop at other cities around the world yet to be announced.
Not a Game of Thrones Fan? No worries! There’s still plenty to do this fall in Barcelona.
In-Edit Beefeater
The 15th annual 10-day film program features documentaries on musicians around the world. 26 films will be shown this year from October 26 - November 5.
This year’s program includes an American film on Suzanne Ciani, pioneer of electronic music and sound effects for advertising; a film narrating the life of legendary saxophone player John Contrane who studied under artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis; and a “making of...” of the concert by the Slovenian band Laibach in North Korea, the first appearance in the country by a western group.
Films come from all over the world including the US, Germany, UK, Chile, and of course Spain. Tickets start at 25 euro.
La Festes de Mercè
Every September, Barcelona celebrates one of the biggest events of the year, La Festes de Mercè; a multi-day event with hundreds of street performers, parades, light shows, and more.
This year, the event will be held September 22 – 25 and will be co-hosted by the Icelandic city of Reykjavik. Since 2007, Barcelona has invited a different city from around the world to take part in the celebration. The guest city showcases contemporary artists from there, in addition to Barcelona artists, to strengthen the friendship between the two cities
Can’t-miss events include human towers, giant figures of royalty on parade, and the procession of the fire-breathing dragons.
Merce Wine and Cava Festival
The Merce Wine and Cava Festival usually takes place during the Merce festival, but has moved to a new date this year. From October 22 to 29, more than 70 top wineries will present wines from 12 Catalan denominations of origin. The wine festival also includes the 'Trobada d'Intercanvi de Plaques de Cava Diada 2017' where collectors of Cava bottle top wrappers - called a 'chapa de cava,' meet to buy and sell cava tops.
And the festival doesn’t just have wine. There are also plenty of places to get traditional local food and watch street performers and traditional dancers.
The festival is held at the Arc de Triomf.
Barcelona Boat Show
Back for its 55th year, the Barcelona Boat show is a five-day event that showcases more than 300 nautical exhibitions.
The show is a floating exhibit in Barcelona’s Port Vell marina. There will be more than 165 crafts on the water, so that visitors can test-drive boats.
This is considered one of the best boat shows in Europe in terms of quality of vessels and number of attendees.
The event is held near plenty of restaurants nearby making it a great half day activity.
Swab
This contemporary art fair breaks from elitist ideas about art and is all about making it accessible to everyone.
Open to the public September 29-October 1, Swab will be showcasing work that can’t be found at other fairs. It works to give an opportunity to emerging galleries, artists, and commissaries.
There are seven expositions including a general program showcasing established art galleries presenting emerging artists, My FAF (My First Art Fair) featuring three galleries that are less than two years old that have never participated in any international art fair and features artists born after 1975, and Swab Performance wherein five young Ukrainian artists work to blur the limits between art, activism and social criticism.
The fair will be held at the Pavellon Italiano in front of Font Màgica de Montjuïc.
Barcelona BBQ Festival and Competition
When you think BBQ, you probably don’t think Barcelona – or even Spain for that matter. But the country is famous for its traditional carne a la brasa (fire-grilled meats) which is almost the same thing by a different name.
The first annual event is meant to celebrate this traditional fare. Over two-days, local restaurants will run food stands selling their grilled specialties, top chefs will lead barbecuing workshops, and barbecuing teams will compete to win prizes for their recipes. There will also be plenty of live music for entertainment.
The event is set to take place at the City Center October 20 – 22.
Picasso Museum
Four exhibitions will be going up at the Picasso Museum starting October 26 through January 28, 2018.
“The Share Studio. Picasso. Fin, Vilato, Xavier,” will explore printmaking over three generations; “1917 Picasso in Barcelona” will celebrate the artist’s last important artistic period in the city; “Arthur Cravan. Maintenant?” takes a look into the boxer’s artistic works; and “Lucin Clergue: Twenty-Seven Meetings with Picasso” showcases Clergue’s collection of photographs of Picasso between 1953 and 1971.
The museum also features over 4,000 permanent pieces from the late artist. Thursday afternoons from 6-9:30 p.m. offer free admission as well as the first Sunday of each month from 9 – 7 a.m.
Related Stories
Carnival Corporation Previews New Terminal at Port of Barcelona
Top Fall Events for a Vacation to Europe