La Merce is Barcelona's flagship Patron Saint festival around 24 September: open-air calçotada stands, vermouth stations and the human tower competitions.
Tip: Pick up the programme at any kiosk; major food stalls cluster on Avinguda de la Catedral and Plaça Reial.
Address: Plaça Sant Jaume, 08002 Barcelona
Festa Major de Gracia takes over the streets in Barcelona's Gracia each August: hand-decorated streets compete, every corner becomes an outdoor bar and grill.
Tip: Every street has its own decoration theme and bar. The Carrer Verdi and Carrer Joan Blanques are the food anchors.
Alimentaria is Barcelona's biennial Mediterranean food trade show in March at Fira Gran Via: 4,000 exhibitors, tasting halls and the Restaurama professional kitchen.
Tip: Trade-only Tuesday and Wednesday; opens to public Thursday-Friday. Day pass 25 euros at the door.
Calcotada Season runs from late January through March in Barcelona and across Catalonia: grilled spring onions with romesco sauce, eaten with the hands.
Tip: The traditional calcotada lunch runs 35 to 50 euros at most Catalan rooms; book a week ahead in February.
Tasta Eixample in Barcelona runs in October across the Eixample district: 200+ rooms offer a 5 euro tapa-and-pour set, designed for the after-work crawl.
Tip: Buy the tapa-and-pour vouchers ahead online; participating rooms wear a window sticker.
