Barcelona Catrinas Parade 2026: Info, Times and Route

The Barcelona Catrinas Parade 2026 takes place on Sunday 1 November at Port Vell, as part of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. The event brings together participants wearing spectacular skull make-up, dresses, hats and floral decorations in a celebration that combines culture, tradition and the art of costume and make-up.

This year, the parade moves to a new location because of the works on La Rambla, relocating to Barcelona’s waterfront. As well as admiring the Catrinas, you can join the parade or enter the competition to show off your own look.

Where is the parade and what is the route?

The fifth edition of the Barcelona Catrinas Parade moves to Port Vell, around Portal de la Pau, Moll de Drassanes and Moll de Barcelona. The change is due to the works on La Rambla, where the event traditionally took place.

The starting point is Portal de la Pau, next to the Columbus Monument at the bottom of La Rambla. From there, the route continues along Moll de Drassanes to Moll de Barcelona, where the parade is scheduled to finish at 7.45 pm.

Although there is an established route, this year’s format differs from that of a conventional procession. The Catrinas will walk freely around the port area at their own pace, allowing visitors to enjoy the costumes and make-up from different points along the route.

If you want to see the start, it’s best to get to Portal de la Pau before 6.30 pm. If you’d rather enjoy the atmosphere by the harbour, you can also head to the stretch around Moll de Drassanes or Moll de Barcelona.

How to take part in the Catrinas Parade

There are several ways to enjoy the celebration. You can watch as a member of the public, join the parade in costume without entering the competition, or register for the Catrinas and Catrines contest.

Attend as a spectator

The event is free, and you don’t need to register to watch. Simply head to Port Vell and find a spot from which to enjoy the parade. It’s an interesting event both for people who are familiar with Mexican traditions and for those discovering them for the first time.

Take part in costume

You can also join the parade in your own costume without entering the competition. Skull make-up, flowers, headpieces and elegant dresses are some of the most recognisable features of the Catrina look.

The organisers ask participants to base their costumes on traditional Mexican Catrinas and calaveras. This isn’t a monster party or a Halloween fancy-dress event, but a cultural activity linked to the Day of the Dead.

Enter the Catrinas and Catrines competition

If you’d like to enter the competition, registration is free and takes place in person. Registration opens at 5 pm at Port Vell, before the parade begins.

A jury will assess the costumes, taking into account both artistic quality and respect for Mexican tradition. These are the main criteria:

• Make-up: quality, technique and level of detail in the skull make-up.
• Costume and accessories: elegance, creativity and use of traditional elements such as flowers and hats.
• Coordination and attitude: presentation and overall consistency of the look.
• Group categories: harmony and cohesion between group members.
• Respect for tradition: faithfulness to the spirit of Mexican culture, without horror or Halloween costume elements.

Prizes are awarded to the best Catrinas in different categories. If you’re planning to take part, prepare your look in advance and arrive with enough time to complete registration.

What is a Catrina and where does it come from?

The Catrina is one of the best-known figures in Mexican popular culture and one of the symbols associated with the Day of the Dead. It is usually depicted as an elegant skeleton dressed in sophisticated clothing and adorned with large hats, flowers and other accessories.

The figure originated in the work of Mexican illustrator and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, who created an image known as La Calavera Garbancera. The figure had a satirical meaning and criticised people who tried to appear to belong to a different social class, turning their backs on their origins.

In 1947, muralist Diego Rivera brought the figure back in his work Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central. He depicted her in elegant clothing and helped popularise the image of La Catrina that is now recognised around the world.

Over time, the figure has moved from printmaking and painting into crafts, folk art and Day of the Dead celebrations. Today’s make-up and costumes reinterpret the character through a variety of styles, colours and outfits.

The Catrinas Parade brings these creations together in one place and offers an opportunity to discover an art form closely linked to Mexican cultural identity. Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History explains the origins and evolution of La Catrina.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead, much more than a costume

The Catrinas Parade is part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, a Mexican tradition dedicated to remembering and honouring loved ones who have died. During this period, many families create altars and offerings with photographs, flowers, candles, food and objects associated with the people they remember.

Cempasúchil marigolds, calaveras, bright colours and papel picado are some of the most recognisable elements of the celebration. Their meaning is connected with memory and the bonds between generations, rather than simply representing death.

That’s why it’s worth distinguishing the Day of the Dead from Halloween. Although the two celebrations take place around the same time and may share some visual elements, they have different origins and meanings. Barcelona’s Catrinas Parade focuses on Mexican tradition and the art of costume and make-up.

Tips for enjoying and photographing the parade

The make-up, flowers, hats and dresses make the Catrinas Parade particularly appealing to photographers. If you want to make the most of the experience, keep these tips in mind:

• Arrive early: try to be at Portal de la Pau before 6.30 pm if you want to see the start of the route.
• Look out for the details: as well as portraits, headpieces, flowers and accessories are an essential part of the costumes.
• Ask before taking portraits: especially if you want to photograph someone up close.
• Bear the light in mind: the event takes place at dusk and into the evening, so a phone or camera that performs well in low light may be useful.
• Respect the route: avoid blocking the way or interrupting participants to get a photograph.

The organisers also encourage participants to bring a lantern or LED lamp to illuminate their costumes and accompany the parade. If you’re taking part, check the guidance on permitted items and always use safe lighting.

How to get to Port Vell for the start of the parade

The starting point is near the bottom of La Rambla, close to the Columbus Monument. You can walk there from the historic centre or use public transport.

• Metro: Drassanes station (L3) is one of the most convenient options for reaching Portal de la Pau. You can also get off at Liceu (L3) and walk down La Rambla.
• Bus: there are stops around Colom, La Rambla and Avinguda de les Drassanes. Check the routes and any service changes before setting off.
• On foot: La Rambla leads directly to Portal de la Pau. The area is also easy to reach on foot from various parts of Ciutat Vella.

As the parade takes place in a port area and this year’s format is different, follow the organisers’ instructions and take account of any changes to access or pedestrian routes.