The year 2026 is shaping up to be a unique moment for the Sagrada Familia and for Antoni Gaudí. Several milestones of enormous relevance coincide: the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the visit of Pope Leo XIV, the commemoration of the centenary of Gaudí’s death, and the inclusion of all these celebrations within a broader context: Gaudí Year and the designation of Barcelona as World Capital of Architecture 2026.
Below, we review everything that is planned, with facts, dates, and context, so that you can understand why 2026 will be a unique year to visit the Sagrada Familia and Barcelona.
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Table of contents
- 2026: Antoni Gaudí centenary
- The Tower of Jesus Christ will be completed in 2026
- Tickets with a 50% discount for residents in 2026
- Key events at the Sagrada Familia in 2026
- Gaudí Year 2026 and other events in Barcelona
- Gaudí International Congress 2026
- Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026
- UIA World Congress of Architects 2026
- Gaudí centenary exhibition at the Museu d’Història de Catalunya
- Activities at Gaudí’s landmark buildings
- Cultural program and premieres inspired by Gaudí
- Why 2026 is a unique year to visit the Sagrada Familia
2026: the centenary year of Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí, the legendary Modernist architect who transformed architecture with his vision inspired by nature and faith, died on June 10, 1926. In 2026, 100 years will mark the anniversary of his death, a milestone that has officially been declared an Event of Exceptional Public Interest (AEIP) in Spain.
This centenary is not just a symbolic date: it is the backbone of a wide-ranging commemorative program that includes cultural events, exhibitions, conferences, religious celebrations, and public activities spread throughout the year.
If you want to be part of this experience, we recommend booking your pass now. These are the most highly recommended experiences:
To help you choose the experience that best suits your preferences, explore our complete guide to tickets for the basilica, where we detail every option, from the most basic tickets to visits with access to the towers.
The Tower of Jesus Christ: one step closer to completing the work
One of the most anticipated milestones of 2026 is the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest of the Sagrada Familia. Following the crowning of its cross on February 20th, the basilica reached 172.5 meters in height, becoming both the tallest structure in Barcelona and the tallest church in the world.
This tower, which brings to a close over a century of construction, marks a pivotal moment in the temple’s history, laden with religious and architectural symbolism. Some of these concepts are explored in greater detail in the Sagrada Familia glossary of terms.
Its inauguration, scheduled for June 10th (the centenary of Gaudí’s death), will be a historic event like no other, as Pope Leo XIV will visit the Sagrada Familia to preside over the ceremony and celebrate a solemn Mass.
Without doubt, this is the most significant event in the history of the Sagrada Família since the basilica’s consecration by Pope Benedict XVI during his last papal visit to the city in 2010.
Tickets with a 50% discount for residents in 2026
As part of the celebrations, the Sagrada Familia has launched a special promotion for residents of the city of Barcelona throughout the entire year 2026: they will be able to obtain tickets with a 50% discount on any type of ticket available (general admission, with towers, guided tour, etc.).
Tickets under this scheme are not available online nor through platforms such as Tiqets or Civitatis.
To request them, it is necessary to send an email to resident@ext.sagradafamilia.org
with a document proving residence in Barcelona, as well as the desired date and time, the type of ticket, and the personal details of each visitor.
After validating the request, the Basilica will send the payment instructions. The process must be completed at least 48 hours in advance of the visit.
Some practical details of this measure:
- It will be valid from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
- It applies exclusively to residents of the city of Barcelona (residence must be proven with official documentation).
- To reserve these tickets, an email must be sent to the official address with proof of residence and preferred date.
- The tickets cannot be purchased online or at the ticket office with the discount: they must be requested by email.
This initiative, designed to involve local residents in the commemorative year, makes 2026 a very attractive year also for residents of Barcelona.
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Key events at the Sagrada Familia in 2026
Throughout the year, multiple activities have been specifically scheduled at the Sagrada Familia, including solemn acts, religious celebrations, music, and exhibitions. These are some of the most significant milestones:
Spring (January–April)
- January 15: Theological conferences within the program of events.
- March 19: Mass dedicated to Saint Joseph, celebrating the laying of the temple’s first stone in 1882.
- March 19 (afternoon): Concert with the Orfeó Català to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone.
- April 27–July 26: Exhibition: “The Sagrada Familia and Barcelona. 144 years of a shared journey” at the Palau Robert Gardens, tracing the shared history between the basilica and the city.
Summer (May–July)
- June 10th, 2026: Solemn Mass commemorating the centenary of Gaudí’s death inside the basilica, in the presence of Pope Leo XIV.
- Blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ: specific details will be announced later, but it is part of the official calendar of events.
Autumn and Winter (September–December)
- December 8: Mass of the Immaculate Conception at the Sagrada Familia.
- December 18: Christmas Concert with the Montserrat Choir (Escolania de Montserrat) and cultural activities around the Nativity facade.
- October 2026: Performances for the public featuring music, folk traditions, and culture in front of the temple.
This set of events makes the Sagrada Familia a living center of cultural and spiritual activity throughout the year.
Beyond the Sagrada Familia, 2026 will be a key year for understanding the figure of Antoni Gaudí as a whole and his impact on Barcelona, Catalonia, and world architecture.
The Gaudí Year 2026, officially declared to mark the centenary of his death, organizes a wide program of cultural, academic, and outreach activities that span the entire year. These are also integrated into the celebration of Barcelona as the World Capital of Architecture.
Gaudí Year 2026 and other events in Barcelona
Gaudí Year 2026 is an institutional commemoration promoted by the Government of Catalonia, the Government of Spain, and the Antoni Gaudí Council, with the goal of spreading the architectural, artistic, and spiritual legacy of Antoni Gaudí beyond the Sagrada Familia.
The idea is to bring the figure of Gaudí closer to both specialists and visitors, as well as citizens who want to better understand his work, his historical context, and his influence on contemporary architecture.
Gaudí International Congress 2026
One of the central events of the Gaudí Year will be the Gaudí International Congress 2026, an international conference dedicated exclusively to the study and dissemination of Antoni Gaudí’s work.
This congress is presented as one of the most relevant pillars of the commemorative program, as it seeks to gather scientific and objective contributions regarding the architect’s work on his centenary, opening the academic debate on his legacy.
- Location: La Pedrera – Casa Milà, in Barcelona.
- Date: June 2026 (month confirmed, although the exact day has not yet been published).
The congress will address topics such as:
- Gaudí’s creative evolution
- His working method and relationship with nature
- The influence of religion in his works
- How Gaudí has influenced modern architecture
Although part of the program will be aimed at professionals, many activities will be open to the general public, especially educational lectures and special sessions.
Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026
In parallel with the Gaudí Year, Barcelona holds the title of World Capital of Architecture in 2026, awarded by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA). This distinction places the city as the global epicenter of architectural debate throughout the year.
Barcelona will roll out an extensive program that includes more than 1,500 activities organized in collaboration with over 170 cultural, educational, and professional entities, distributed across the city’s 10 districts for nearly 10 months. These are the most important ones:
“Barcelona: intense, diverse, and complex”
Barcelona unveils a monumental 84 m² scale model reproducing the metropolitan area at 1:1,500 scale. 3D-printed with biodegradable materials after more than 21,000 hours of work, it is far from a static piece: its areas under transformation will be updated alongside the city, and 60 iconic buildings received special treatment. It can be visited at the former Gustavo Gili headquarters (Rosselló 87-89), Tuesday through Sunday.
- Where: C. Rosselló, 87-89 (08029)
- What it offers: A cross-sectional look at Barcelona’s architecture and urban evolution, from Modernism to contemporary projects.
- Format: Permanent exhibition of models, plans, screenings, and historical material.
“Barcelona in transformation 2035”
- What it is: An exhibition focused on Barcelona’s urban future with an emphasis on sustainability, housing, public spaces, and urban resilience.
- Where: Same historical headquarters of the Gustavo Gili Publishing House.
- Duration: A major part of the year 2026.
- Value for visitors: Allows an understanding of how the city we will see in the next decade is being planned.
UIA World Congress of Architects 2026
Highlighting the World Capital of Architecture is the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026, one of the most important professional global gatherings in the sector.
- Dates: From June 28 to July 2, 2026
- Venue: Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14, 08019 Barcelona
- Expected attendance: Tens of thousands of professionals from around the world
It will address key issues such as:
- Sustainable urban design
- Housing and public space
- Climatic and social challenges of cities
Although the congress has a strong professional component, some exhibitions, talks, and parallel activities will be open to the public, reinforcing the cultural and architectural atmosphere of the city during those days.
Skip the Lines at the Sagrada Familia
Get your Sagrada Familia tickets in advance and skip the endless lines at the entrance.
Gaudí Centenary Exhibition at the Museu d’Història de Catalunya
One of the most anticipated cultural events of the year is the grand Antoni Gaudí centenary exhibition, organized at the Museu d’Història de Catalunya (MHC) as part of the official Gaudí Year 2026 program. This is a unique opportunity to discover the life, legacy, and global influence of the most iconic architect of Catalan Modernism.
The showcase brings together original blueprints, historical models, unpublished photographs, and key documents that allow visitors to trace Gaudí’s creative evolution from his early projects to his universal masterpieces. Visitors can explore how his vision transformed the architecture, urban planning, and cultural identity of Barcelona.
- Where: Museu d’Història de Catalunya (MHC) – Plaça de Pau Vila, Barcelona
- When: The exhibition is part of Gaudí Year 2026, the official program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the architect’s death. Activities take place throughout the year, with the exhibition serving as one of the central pillars.
What you will find in the exhibition:
- A chronological journey through Gaudí’s life and work.
- Material from archives, private collections, and Gaudí-related sites.
- Multimedia content and immersive experiences to understand his creative process.
- Historical context regarding Modernist Barcelona and the evolution of the Sagrada Familia.
Visit the official museum website for more information.
Activities in iconic Gaudí buildings
Gaudí’s main buildings in Barcelona will also play an active role in Gaudí Year, with special programming throughout 2026:
- Casa Batlló
- La Pedrera – Casa Milà
- Park Güell
- Casa Vicens
- Torre Bellesguard
Planned activities include:
- Temporary exhibitions
- Themed guided tours
- Special openings and extended hours
- Cultural programming (music, visual arts, immersive experiences)
These initiatives allow visitors to discover each building from new perspectives, connecting architecture, history, and contemporary creativity.
Cultural programming and premieres inspired by Gaudí
Gaudí Year also extends to the broader cultural sphere, with proposals that reinterpret his legacy across other disciplines.
Among the planned initiatives:
- Premieres of musical compositions inspired by Gaudí
- Audiovisual projects and documentaries
- Performing arts and performances in urban spaces
- Educational and family programs
These proposals aim to bring the figure of Gaudí to new audiences beyond architecture, reinforcing his presence in the city’s cultural life throughout 2026.
Why 2026 is a unique year to visit the Sagrada Familia
2026 will be a year of great significance for the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí, and Barcelona. With the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the commemoration of the Antoni Gaudí centenary, a diverse cultural program, and Barcelona serving as the World Capital of Architecture, it is the ideal time to plan a visit with a unique historical, artistic, and cultural perspective.
Experience Gaudí Year 2026 from the inside and discover how Barcelona celebrates the legacy of its most universal creator. If you are traveling to Barcelona in 2026, visiting the Sagrada Familia is an experience that will allow you to understand the magnitude of the genius who forever transformed modern architecture.
Purchase your fast-track entrance ticket or choose a guided tour to appreciate details that only reveal themselves to an expert eye.