The Fabra i Coats will host the 15th edition of the Dau Barcelona festival, a free event designed for all audiences that champions gaming as a space for connection. With a mix of classic and contemporary games, the festival anticipates welcoming around 35,000 visitors, maintaining the attendance figures from the previous year.
Spanning four days and two nights, the festival will offer a diverse range of activities, catering to families as well as gaming enthusiasts and professionals. Highlights include demonstrations, market launches, and participatory activities that showcase the magic of gaming.
This year’s edition will feature eleven themed gaming areas, alongside specialised shops and dining zones catering to all tastes. A new addition is a stage for live activities, performances, and participatory proposals.
Returning attractions include Gran Dau, Daus de Rol, Dauet, Dau Expert, Dau Tradicional, Dau Beta, Experiències Dau, and Dau Històric. The Dau Tranquil space, designed for individuals with heightened sensitivity who require a calm environment, will also be available. The Ludoteca Expert will provide a venue for more complex games and experienced players.
Once again, the festival will host a two-day professional congress, which will include a presentation on board games on Thursday, 12 November, featuring data and analysis of current trends in the sector. Concurrently, around 1,000 children and nearly 90 teachers from thirty educational institutions in the city will participate in the "Escoles al Dau" programme, which uses board games as educational tools.
As is tradition, the Dau festival will present the Dau Awards on Friday, 13 November, at the SAT! Sant Andreu Teatre. These awards recognise talent, creativity, and innovation in works, creators, and publishers. Among the most anticipated awards are those for best author and emerging author of the year, best artist, best educational outreach, and a lifetime achievement award dedicated to gaming.
While the main activities will take place at Fabra i Coats, the Dau festival will also extend its reach into local neighbourhoods, with ten recreational activities scheduled across nine venues in the weeks leading up to the festival, attracting nearly 1,500 participants.
