Catalonia is a territory with a lively and diverse cultural agenda. Popular festivals play a leading role and are a reflection of the identity, history and traditions of this Mediterranean country. From January to December, the streets and squares of towns and cities are filled with music, colours, fire and shared emotions. Below we suggest a journey through some of the most emblematic celebrations. Popular festivals in Catalonia you can’t miss The popular festivals of Catalonia are collective events that combine religious, cultural and social elements, and often have a strong local roots. They include everything from processions and ancestral rituals to fire shows, traditional music and unique expressions such as the castellers. They are moments of community gathering that also attract visitors from all over the world. Winter festivals in Catalonia Winter is synonymous with gathering, bringing to homes and village streets deeply rooted traditions and celebrations that combine spirituality, family life and fun. The Three Kings Parade Every 5th of January, dozens of Catalan towns welcome the Three Wise Men with magical parades. The most famous is in Barcelona, but towns and cities such as Vic, Igualada or Tarragona also offer spectacular parades with floats, music and sweets that delight the little ones. Festivities of Saint Anthony and the Tres Tombs January is also the time for the Tres Tombs, festivals that celebrate Saint Anthony Abbot, patron saint of animals. Horses and carriages parade through the streets of towns such as Igualada, Vilanova i la Geltrú or Barcelona, where the blessing of the animals is the central act of a festival that combines tradition and popular culture. Carnival Before Lent, Carnival is synonymous with costumes, parades and revelry. Sitges hosts one of the most famous carnivals in Europe, with massive parades and a festive atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors. But there are also unique carnivals such as Solsona, with its “donkey hanging”, or Torelló, dedicated to the “crazy poets”. Spring celebrations and festivals Spring awakens nature and also the most symbolic popular celebrations. Holy Week and processions Several towns experience Holy Week with intensity, such as Verges (Baix Empordà), where every Maundy Thursday the Dance of Death takes place, a unique and striking spectacle that combines religiosity and popular theatre. Other notable processions take place in Tarragona or Lleida, with centuries-old pasos and confraternities. Sant Jordi, the festival of the book and the rose On 23rd April, Catalonia celebrates its most beloved festival: Sant Jordi. The streets are filled with stalls selling books and roses, and tradition dictates that couples exchange these gifts. Cities such as Barcelona, Girona or Reus celebrate this day with special intensity, but any village offers the charm of this cultural and romantic festival. La Patum of Berga Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, La Patum is a festival that transforms Berga during Corpus Christi. Fire, giants, dwarfs and parades fill the Plaça de Sant Pere in a celebration that combines mysticism and spectacle. Its intensity and authenticity make it one of the most emblematic festivals in Catalonia. Summer festivals in Catalonia Summer is the most festive season, with celebrations that combine fire, music and tradition. It is also the time for town festivals, concerts and festivals throughout the territory. Saint John’s and Saint Peter’s Eve The night of 23rd June is the most magical of the year. The beaches and squares of Catalonia are filled with bonfires, firecrackers and coca cake to celebrate Saint John’s Eve. Saint Peter is also celebrated, especially in coastal towns such as Reus or Sant Pere de Ribes, where processions and festive acts keep tradition alive. Falles of the Pyrenees, World Heritage In several Pyrenean valleys, such as Boí, Pallars Sobirà or Alt Urgell, the Falles are celebrated, an ancestral tradition recognised by UNESCO. Villagers descend from the mountains carrying lit torches down to the village, creating a spectacle of fire and community that symbolises the passing of the summer solstice. Town festivals with castells and correfocs Every town has its Festa Major, but there are common elements that make them unique: castells (human towers) and correfocs, with devils and fireworks. From Valls to Vilafranca del Penedès, passing through small villages, these festivals are the heart of Catalan popular life. Autumn festivals Autumn brings with it tradition and reflection, with celebrations that unite history and culture. La Castanyada and All Saints’ Day On 1st November, families and friends gather to eat chestnuts, sweet potatoes and panellets. La Castanyada is a festival that combines gastronomy and tradition, linked to the commemoration of All Saints. It is one of the most typical celebrations of the Catalan autumn. Other festivals and celebrations across Catalonia In addition to the major seasonal festivals, Catalonia also hosts a series of local celebrations and thematic fairs that do not fit into a single season of the year but that are part of the cultural richness of the territory. These festivals complement the popular calendar and offer varied experiences throughout the country. The National Day of Catalonia (11th September) Every 11th September commemorates the fall of Barcelona in 1714. Today it is the National Day and is marked with institutional, cultural and also protest events across the territory. Medieval fairs and markets Catalonia hosts numerous medieval fairs that transport you back to the past. The most famous is the Medieval Week of Montblanc, celebrated for Sant Jordi, which recreates the legend of the dragon and the knight. In Manresa, the Fira de l’Aixada, in February, brings medieval life back to life with markets, shows and traditional gastronomy. Also notable is the Medieval Market of Vic, in December, which has become one of the largest and with the most artisan stalls. Gastronomic and traditional fairs In addition to popular festivals, Catalonia has a wide variety of gastronomic fairs: the Turrón Fair of Agramunt, the Mushroom Fair of Centelles or the Olive Oil Fair of les Borges Blanques are just a few examples. These are celebrations that highlight local products and the identity of each territory. Why are Catalonia’s popular festivals unique? The popular festivals of Catalonia are much more than simple celebrations: they are a living expression of the culture and way of life of a people. They bring together music, gastronomy, tradition and community in a festive calendar that spans the whole year and the entire territory. Whether in the mountains, on the coast, in a big city or in a small village, there is always a festival to experience and share.