Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

A big show with almost 500 drones in Reina Maria Cristina avenue celebrates the entry into the new year with a chant to life and to the importance of marine resources.

Was that a good year and you are sad to see it gone? Have you had enough of 2023 and you die to see it end? Whatever the case, it’s inevitable: the year is ending, the Lord of the Nassos is about to tremble down the street and, if you don’t make plans, you’ll end up at home. The occasion deserves an intense celebration. Where?

The main city celebration takes place on the Reina Maria Cristina avenue, where the occasion is celebrated with a great show by the Groupe F company, directed by Christophe Berthonneau, an expert in pyrotechnics who, since he has been working with this company, has been using it in his shows, both in dance and street arts and special effects.

What has he prepared in Barcelona? To find out, you’ll have to come to the avenue on the 31st from 11 p.m. until approximately 0.15 a.m., when, on a monumental stage, a show will begin with music, artificial lights and technological innovations that will leave you open-mouthed. With up to 470 drones flying 250m above our heads, Montjuic’s sky will be filled up with lights. The show is about New Year’s resolution, a sentiment that is expressed in the form of hope, of the future, of living a better life. Pyrotechnics, light and music will symbolise the imagination of the city and the desires of the people who live here, all based on iconic images such as the Barcelona skyline, the Barcelona tiles, the grid of the Eixample or modernism, but also with references to great moments that 2024 will bring us, such as the Tàpies Year or the America’s Cup.

The show is, in fact, a tribute to Barcelona and its relationship with the sea, in a year in which both the Catalan capital and the sea will take centre stage around the world.

The festival begins with a show before midnight, during which the New Year’s Eve party will begin with a musical and light atmosphere all along Avinguda Maria Cristina. A huge 75-metre-high ball of light will preside over the celebration. Thus, from 9 p.m. onwards, music will start to set the mood and, from 11 p.m. onwards, the ball will be activated.

At half past midnight, drones will draw the shape of grapes in the sky, with the twelve grapes to be eaten on each stroke of the bell. After the quarter, twelve dry and highly effective pyrotechnical fireworks will mark the twelve chimes that will usher in the New Year. And, as we enter the year 2024, technology, light and fire will bring to life the Desig Barcelona show, a city festival of pyrotechnics, light and music.

Entrance to Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina is free and there is no maximum capacity, but come early if you want to find a good spot from which to see the show. And bear in mind that, due to the drought situation, the Fonts de Montjuïc will not be able to join the festival.

The city is full of festivities these days, so look for the website of your local club and… dance all night long! Finally, remember that, like every year, L’Home dels Nassos will be making his appearance in the various districts of Barcelona, a curious character who on the 31st will come out of Casa dels Entremesos and walk around the city with his unique face, with as many noses as there are days in the year left.