National Holiday of Catalonia

When is it celebrated

The National Holiday of Catalonia, known in Catalan as National Day of Catalonia or simply the Diada, is celebrated every year on 11 September. It is a fixed date; Some commemorative events may begin the day before or be integrated into a broader institutional agenda.

Is it a holiday or a working day?

It is a regional work festival throughout Catalonia. The official 2026 calendar includes Friday, 11 September, among the public holidays. Although the date of the Diada is stable, its work status must be verified in the official calendar of each year, because this is the instrument that sets the applicable breaks.

Origin and geographical link

It is the official national holiday of Catalonia and is commemorated in the four provinces of the community. Its central historical reference is the fall of Barcelona on 11 September 1714, at the end of the War of Succession, after resistance against the Bourbon troops. Barcelona concentrates many central events, but the commemoration extends to municipalities throughout the territory and also to Catalan delegations abroad.

Regular events

Floral offerings before monuments linked to Rafael Casanova, joint events between the Government and the Parliament, the raising of the flag and the interpretation of music, dance, theater or audiovisuals dedicated each year to a different theme are common. Civic, cultural and protest activities organised by town councils and entities are also held. The places, times and exact content depend on the programme of each edition.

Usual duration of events

The main day lasts on 11 September, with ceremonies and meetings distributed from morning to night. The agenda can begin on the 10th and last for several days when it incorporates exhibitions, concerts or events in different municipalities and international venues. There is no single duration for all activities.

Traditions and history

The date remembers the defence and fall of Barcelona in 1714. Rafael Casanova, then councilor in cap, became a symbol of the defence of Catalan freedoms during the Renaixença of the 19th century. The celebration was suppressed during the Franco regime and publicly recovered in 1976; In 1980, the Parliament declared it a National Holiday of Catalonia. The floral offering to Casanova and the memory of those who defended Barcelona remain central traditions.

Where is it celebrated

The Diada is commemorated throughout Catalonia. In Barcelona, the monument to Rafael Casanova, the Parc de la Ciutadella and other settings that the Government chooses for the main event are especially relevant. Sant Boi de Llobregat, where Casanova's tomb is located, and numerous Catalan municipalities also celebrate offerings and their own events. The Government delegations organise activities outside Catalonia.

Who participates

The Government of the Generalitat, the Parliament, city councils, authorities and representatives of public institutions participate, as well as artists and cultural groups that take part in official events. Civic and social entities call for their own activities and mobilizations. Citizens attend ceremonies, offerings, shows and meetings organised in different parts of the territory.