The approaching Last night of the year. A date, December 31, that is a cause for celebration throughout the globe. The metropolis cities of Barcelona are no exception and, each in their own way, they also add to the parties, concerts and even races to say goodbye to 2023 and celebrate the first hours of 2024.
Parties in town hall squares or on the streets of the city are the most repeated option throughout metropolitan cities. Among them, the traditional ‘Oca’ from Mataró, which this year reaches its 11th edition, or the ‘Rave Cabaret’ in Terrassa.
In the case of the capital of Maresme, Cultural Association l’Oca de Mataró summons the residents of the city at 00:00 to share the chimes of the Basilica of Santa Maria, at the foot of the bell tower. Next, a parade will begin towards the Plaza de Santa Anna, and then there will be a popular festival with music until 6:00 a.m. on January 1. The event was born and continues with the objective of establishing itself as a meeting point for Matarones and other residents of Maresme and in recent editions it has brought together more than 6,000 people.
In the case of Terrassathe party will move to the Rector Homs square, a few meters from the Seu d’Ègara. In addition to the chimes, attendees will be able to celebrate the change of year with a ‘Rave Cabaret’ which will be carried out by the Egarense artist Alex Marteen, who will also be a crier for Carnival 2024, and which will last until 3:00 a.m. Without moving too far from the Vallesana co-capital, Sant Cugat del Vallès will dance to the rhythm of the We Dance Band Live and of Sergi Shine DJ Set until 4:00 a.m. at the Segle Cultural Association.
Another classic among the metropolitan New Year’s Eve is found in Saint Coloma de Gramenet. As is tradition, the Plaza de la Vila will host, after the 12th bell, the New Year’s Eve concertswhich on this occasion will have Uri Mora, Elena Gómez and the music of The main 40.
Festivals in Baix Llobregat
On the other side of Barcelona, in Baix Llobregat, some municipalities will also dress up to welcome the new year. This is the case, for example, of Castelldefelswhich this 2023 is organized by first time in the history of the city New Year’s Eve Party in the Plaza de la Església.
The celebration will take place from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and people who come to the square will enjoy the Chimes live through a big screen and they will receive a party bag and LED light stick to welcome the new year, although, the City Council warns, grapes will not be distributed. Furthermore, as in Santa Coloma, the party will be led by The main 40in this case, hand in hand with the DJ Neus González.
A similar plan can be found in the neighbor Gavawhich at 11:30 p.m. will begin its New Year’s Eve Party at the Torre Lluc park. An event that will have a countdown energized by the Baby Sisters and a concert with him group of Bad Life versionswhich will end at 2 a.m. on January 1, 2024. Also in the southern Baix Llobregat, the Prat prepares for a tradition that has already taken root in the city: the ‘Bells of Foc‘. A celebration by the Diables del Prat Ball Association in which the residents of the municipality gather in the Plaza de la Vila to eat the grapes to the sound of the “12 thunders” at midnight, to the sound of the bells
In addition, emblematic spaces for popular culture in some municipalities will also host celebrations. It is the case of Avenç de Esplugueswhich will receive 2024 with ‘hits’ from the 80s and 90s, or from L’Hospitalet Center Casino de Llobregat, which also organizes a dinner and party by Duet Esquitx.
‘Running’ pre-bells
Another New Year’s Eve classic is the races. Of course, the ‘Cursa dels Nassos’ in Barcelona takes center stage, but on the fringes of the big city, sporting events are also planned that gain followers year after year. One of the most original there is in Sant Cugat del Vallès. It is the ‘Gall Race‘, which this 2023 reaches its third edition.
It is a 5 km run through the city center in which participants are encouraged to attend in costume to say goodbye to 2023 and greet 2024. The starting signal for the race will take place at 5 p.m., in the Plaza de la Vila, that is, in front of the Town Hall . Additionally, there will be several awards. Of course, for the fastest runners, but also for those “most creative and ingenious” people and groups. who decide to run in disguise.
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Another race that has been gaining a name is ‘Cap d’Any Race’ in Sabadell. He WeRun Team Vallès Sports Club, with the support of the Sabadell City Council, organizes, on December 31, 2023, the 12th Sabadell New Year’s Eve Race and the New Year’s Eve Race Kids. Two events that will start the races will be in the Plaza Creu Alta. In the case of the adult race, there will be a 5 and 10 km option.
Also Badalona will sweat his shirt before changing the year with the Sant Silvestre RACCwhich, like in Sabadell, will have 5 or 10 km options for adults and a children’s version.
Children’s bells
Beyond the big parties to welcome 2024, some metropolitan cities have organized events designed to the smallest. Starting at 11:30 in the morning, the children of Viladecans They can gather in the Plaza de la Vila to anticipate a few hours of New Year’s Eve with some children’s bells to the rhythm of ‘Despechá’, ‘Vagabundo’, ‘Quédate’ or ‘La Bachata’.
Without leaving Baix Llobregat, Castelldefels once again organizes the traditional children’s New Year’s Eve on Sunday, December 31 from 11 a.m. The Plaza de la Església will be the epicenter of activities that will be animated by Divershow and the distribution of sweets that will be eaten with the chimes of 12 o’clock.
Besides, El Celler de Rubí It will also be one of the settings chosen for the children to say goodbye to the year on December 31. The company Campi qui pugui will organize a party starting at 11:30 a.m. for which it will be necessary to bring the grapes from home.