1-3 December 2009: EIBTM Global Meetings and Incentives Exhibition

The meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry convenes at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, for the EIBTM. Visitors can get advice from expert panellists, discuss industry trends, make and renew contacts and learn how to drive their business forward.
Almost 8000 meeting planners and marketers are updated on the industry’s sustainability efforts in 2010, with top names in MICE airing their views.
- Where: Fira de Barcelona – Gran Vía venue
- When: all day
- Cost: free
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18 October – 6 December 2009: Barcelona International Jazz Festival

As the sizzling summer heat dies down, Barcelona chills out with the Barcelona International Jazz Festival. Big band, bebop, gospel and Latin-jazz concerts take place at venues across the city, including the Palau de la Música Catalana and L’Auditori.
In 2009, catch live music from the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Chucho Valdés & Concha Buika, Cassandra Wilson and Imelda May, among others.
- Where: L’Auditori
- When: Concerts begin at 7pm/9pm/9.30pm
- Cost: €22-€54; prices vary depending on artist
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10 November – 20 December 2009: World Press Photo Exhibition

The Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona takes its turn at hosting the World Press Photo exhibition. Regarded as the world’s most important display of photojournalism, the award-winning snaps appear at galleries and art centres in some 100 cities worldwide.
Each year an independent international jury selects winners from photographs submitted by photojournalists, agencies, newspapers and photographers from all over the world. Eleven competitive categories include news events, current affairs, sport, arts and entertainment, portraits and nature.
Expect the photos to make shocking and poignant political statements, as well as offer up unexpected moments of beauty in sport, nature and daily life.
- Where: Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona
- When: all day
- Cost: free
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28 November – 23 December 2009: Fira de Santa Llucia

Dating from 1786, the Fira de Santa Llucia is a Christmas fair held every December outside Barcelona Cathedral. Around 300 market stalls sell seasonal goodies, while nativity scenes, musical parades and exhibitions add to the fun.
A much-loved feature of this festival is the giant caga tío, a huge, smiley-faced “log”. Much like a Mexican piñanta, the caga tío drops out, or ‘caga‘ (‘craps’), presents when kids beat it with a stick.
The caga tío is a character in Catalan mythology relating to Christmas tradition and many families keep one in their homes during the festive season (small versions are on sale at the Fira de Santa Llucia’s market).
- Where: Barcelona Cathedral
- When: all day
- Cost: free
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26-27 December 2009: Ben Hur Live!

An ancient arena is recreated at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi for Ben Hur Live. The show, which was 15 years in the making and coincides with the 50-year anniversary of the film, features over 400 performers and 100 animals.
A spectacle of light, sound, water, wind and pyrotechnic effects, the show is based on the novel, Ben Hur – a Tale of Christ, by Lew Wallace. It tells the story of the life and destiny of the Jewish prince Judah Ben Hur at the beginning of the 1st century. The soundtrack is created by Hollywood composer Klaus Badelt and the 400 performers as well as animals including horses, camels, donkeys, chickens, falcons and eagles.
The highlight of the production is the famous chariot scene, where five quadrigas compete in a neck-and-neck race around the arena floor. The thoroughbred horses – the stars of the scene – have gone through 12 months of intensive training.
Premièring in London in September, the show tours Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, Hungary and France, before arriving in Spain.
- Where: Palau Sant Jordi
- When: Daily 9pm; 27 Dec also 4pm
- Cost: €35-€110
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