With Autumn in full swing and Christmas shopping under way, thoughts turn to New Year. Barcelona’s New Year celebration ritual began two years ago by the local government, in response to a barrage of requests from hoteliers of the city who did not know what to say to their clients when asked where to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in Barcelona.
In the end it was decided that, Barcelona, its neighbours and the thousands of visitors coming to the Catalan capital could celebrate New Year in Montjuic, on Maria Cristina Avenue.
To mark the arriva of 2014, a 15 meter high giant was created, star of a pagan ceremony that would be repeated on 31 December 2014. But what was on its way to becoming a tradition, a hallmark of the New Year Barcelona, has already passed into history. The new municipal government and party organizers have decided to retire the colossus resident to a park in Gava.
So a change in format is to be expected this year, though has not yet been finalised. Though we can count on Montjuic and Maria Cristina avenue as the setting, as well as a festival of light, pyrotechnics and water, using the framework created by the Magic Fountain, the backdrop of the Palau Nacional and the Quatre Columnes Puig i Cadafalch.
The other thing you can be sure of is smiles, plenty of cava, a great party and a warm New Year in Barcelona!
