Thousands take to streets for Sant Jordi 2026

Sant Jordi has once again taken over the streets and squares of Catalonia, with books, roses, and love filling its cities and towns.

Across the region the day has arrived with a majestic splendour, with spring weather that invites you out to stroll.

In Barcelona, ​​the literary superblock of Passeig de Gràcia has once again become focal point for the celebrations, which also extends to Portal de l'Àngel, Plaça de la Catedral, and Plaça Nova due to the works on La Rambla.

In Girona, stalls have opened a new location on Avinguda Sant Francesc and in Tarragona they have set up shop on Rambla Nova.

The Mercadal is the epicenter of the day in Reus and, in Lleida, they have taken over Avinguda de Francesc Macià and Rambla de Ferran.

This year has seen a new record for amount of space given to stalls, while around 7 million roses are forecast to sell.

Booksellers are hoping to match or exceed last year's figures, when more than 70,000 different titles and almost two million copies were sold.

In Barcelona, there are 425 stalls in total: 364 selling books – 257 of which with author signings – and 61 for flowers.

Added to these figures are 130 stalls set up by bookstores on the steet in front of their establishments.

'Overwhelming, in the best way' 

Part of the celebrations see hundreds of authors set up at stalls on the steet to meet readers and sign books. Not only Catalan and Spanish authors participate in this beloved tradition, but many writers come from abroad to join in on the fun too. 

Seth Insua, a British-Spanish author signing copies of his debut novel, 'Human, Animal', told the Catalan News Agency that it was his "first Sant Jordi as an author and as a reader," and that it felt "amazing" to be there.

"There are just so many people," he added. "I’m not used to seeing book events on this scale, so it’s quite overwhelming, in the best way." 

American novelist J.D. Barker echoed similar sentiments, calling the Sant Jordi celebrations amazing. "Look at all the people, all book lovers, it’s fantastic," he said.

The author of ‘Something I Keep Upstairs’ said that meeting so many readers "helps me recharge my batteries," as "I spend so much time alone just writing the books and when I can get out and meet the people who read them, and they’re so enthusiastic, it’s fantastic."

Meanwhile, Monika Zgustová, signing copies of her latest work, ‘A Revolver to Carry at Night’, has enjoyed many Sant Jordis in the city before, and she said they just keep getting better. 

"The whole city is a party, especially the centre, everyone carrying roses and books," he commented to Catalan News. "It’s like a party of readers and writers and publishers. For me, the important thing is also to have contact with my readers. 

Elsewhere, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature, Han Kang, Scottish writer Ali Smith, Swiss novelist Joël Dicker, and Belgian author Amélie Nothomb were all also meeting readers at stalls during the day.