new year Archives | Barcelona Lowdown

A Man With as Many Noses as There Are Days Left In the Year

The Nose Man parade through the narrow streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter on New Years Eve

L’Home dels Nassos (the man of the noses) is a mythical figure from Catalan folklore with as many noses as there are days left in the year. On January 1st he has 365 noses which he then loses, one per day, as the year advances. During most of the year, the nose man hides away …

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display

Tourists filming the Magic fountain with their mobile phones

Traditionally the Spanish see the new year in at home with their family. As the clock strikes midnight everyone eats 12 grapes and toasts the new year with cava. If you’ve visited Barcelona before, you will know that midnight is pretty much considered early evening here! Once the family celebration is over most people meet …