Ballets de Catalunya was set up as a cultural association in 1953 to revive and promote the traditional and popular dances of all the Catalan-speaking lands. They take part in the street festivals of many towns and cities, where they perform historically accurate shows that faithfully reflect the country's cultural heritage and traditions. In 1958, they were behind the creation of a colla castellera, a human-tower group, that was the basis of today's Castellers de Barcelona.

Ballets de Catalunya has six sections. The dance corps has an extensive repertoire of shows that it takes to the country's streets, squares and stages, with special emphasis on the choreography, musical accompaniment and interpretation of the dances. And they usually end their performances by inviting the public to all join in a popular dance. In the children's and youth sections the young people learn about the country's traditional heritage. The former group takes children aged 6-10, while the latter comprises 11 to 14-year-olds. By the time these young dancers are 15, they already form part of the main dance corps.

For any parents who want to learn the dances and get together with the different generations, the association has a Balls de Plaça (town square dance) section. And then there are the Antics Dansaires, a section for former dancers created in 2003 to mark the 50^th anniversary. When Ballets de Catalunya perform, they are accompanied by the musical group De Soca-rel, set up in 1990, which also gives its own concerts and has recorded three CDs. As well as this they have a group of stick dancers, bastoners, who perform solo and in the joint shows.

Each year, in an effort to increase interest in traditional dances and attract new members, Ballets de Catalunya hold three festive street events on C/Enric Granados: one for the All Saints castanyada, or chestnut fest, one on Carnival Saturday, and the Spring Festival, held on the first or second Saturday in June.

In 2013, Ballets de Catalunya received the Barcelona City Medal of Honour.