August is probably the busiest time in Barcelona; at the same time about 10% of shops and restaurants can be found closed from mid-August to early September, when the owners go on vacations. You'll find cheap accommodation and a much quieter city as a vast majority of Spaniards go on vacation in August. Business is low, people from Barcelona tend to be on vacation, hotels that remain open but don't have their business customers tend to lower prices and make offers. However there will still be plenty of tourists. Barcelona has decent enough beaches but the locals will really appreciate it if visitors do not consider it a beach resort and don't wear beachwear when visiting churches, etc...

Barcelona is great off-season and is a lovely city even in winter months of January and February as long as the possibility of rain is low. Given the high humidity, 19-23°C is considered comfortable weather, which is normally the temperature between April and June and between late September-November. This is the best time to visit the city. Anything warmer than this can feel too hot.

• Country: Spain / España  • Region: Catalonia / Cataluña  • Status: city (capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia)  • Area: 485 square kilometres / 187 square miles  • Population: 1.5 million in the city, 41 million in Spain  • Language: Castilian Spanish  • Currency: Euro (EUR)  • Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)  • Country dialling code: +34  • Telephone area code: 93  • Religion: mainly Roman Catholic  • Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz - round two-pin plugs are used

Festes de Gràcia. The Festes de Gracia is a Catalonian celebration, held around the 15th of August each year to commemorate the Assumption. During the week of festivities that mark one of Barcelona's most important fiestas, the city of Gracia explodes with fun, excitement, color and fireworks. Many streets are decorated by the neighbours, live music, food in the street, and the parties continue all night.

Festes de Sants. Similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and later on in August. If you can't go to the Gracia's, try go to this festival instead.
  Sant Jordi. 23rd of April. Considered to be like Valentines Day. People give roses and books around the streets. Traditionally men give women roses and women give men books. It is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia.

Fira de Santa Llúcia. From December 2nd/3rd to December 23rd, to commemorate Sta Llúcia (December 13th). In front of the Cathedral, is where the Christmas objects are sold. Some places sell Christmas trees, but most of them sell elements for making the pessebres, the representations of the birth of Jesus that people uses to put at home. These include small sculptures, wooden pieces and moss used to simulate grass.

December 13th is the feast day of Santa Llucia, patron saint of fashion designers and blind people, who gather at the Santa Llucia chapel in the cathedral to pay their respects. 

Revetlla de Sant Joan. This is the midsummer solstice celebration. It is celebrated on 23rd June every year and is signified by the fireworks that are permanently on display during this time.

Fira de Barcelona. All year you have events The Feria Internacional de Barcelona organisation was not officially constituted until 1932. The International Exposition was held in 1929.
  La Mercè. (few days before Sept 24): Another day that is famous, but not that important. It is holiday and the city offers a lot of activities to have fun. Enjoy fountains and fireworks show at the base of the Montjuic hill.

Hotels in the city range from budget lodging to luxury accommodation in Barcelona and the Mediterranean climate makes visiting this city attractive, whatever the time of year. Finding accommodation can be difficult, problems being heightened at the top of the tourist season (July to August), and therefore booking Barcelona Hotels in advance is advisable and virtually compulsory during the high season.