Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CATALAN FOLK FESTIVALS & TRADITIONS
1. FESTES DE LA MERCE
Barcelona'smainfestivalisariotousweek-longcelebrationinhonourofLaMercè(for
furtherdetailssee
VirginMercè
)
.Thenightskylightsupwithfireworks,outdoorcon-
certs are held, and there's barely a bottle of
cava
left in the city by the festival's end.
Processions and parades feature
gegants
(giant wooden figures operated by people).
Week of 23 Sep
2. EL DIA DE SANT JORDI
Onthisspringday,Barcelonaistransformedintoavibrant,open-airbookandflower
market. Men and women exchange presents of roses, to celebrate
Sant Jordi
and
books,intributetoCervantesandShakespeare,whobothdiedon23April1616.
23
Apr
3. LA REVETLLA DE SANT JOAN
In celebration of Saint John, and the start of summer, this is Catalonian's night to
playwithfireandplaytheydo,withgusto.Fireworksstreakthroughthenightskyand
bonfires are set ablaze on beaches and in towns throughout the region.
23 Jun
4. FESTA MAJOR DE GRACIA
During this week-long
festa
, (the largest party of the summer), revellers congregate
inGràcia'sdecoratedstreets.Parades,open-airconcerts,fireworksandplentyofbeer
and cava fuel the infectious merriment.
Mid- to late Aug
5. CARNAVAL IN SITGES
ThebuzzingbeachtownofSitgesexplodesduringCarnaval,celebratedinflamboyant
fashion. Over-the-top floats parade among drag queens, lip-synching contests and a
fresh-off-the-beach crowd warmed by sun and plenty of beer.
3-4 days Feb-mid-
Mar
