These are the most important festivals in the area. Dates in Spain are often moveable feasts so we have been as accurate as possible, but do double check.
April / Castell-Platja d'Aro and Palamos
'Carnestoltes' celebrates the observance of Lent. This huge carnival is the third most important of all in Spain (after Cadiz & Tenerife)
April 23 / Barcelona (St. Georges Day)
The festival of Sant Jordi, Barcelona's patron, is one of the most spectacular events held in Spain. Juegos Florales are literary competitions, normally held around St. George's Day, and the streets are lined with bookstalls and flower stalls as it is customary for lovers to give each other a special book and a rose. The particular book is one in memory of Cervantes, who died on 23rd April 1616.
May / Palafrugell
Les Festes de Primavera, that celebrates merrymaking, art & culture, was started in 1963 in opposition to the draconian laws of the then Spanish dictatorship that had banned most festivals.
May / 3rd and
4th weeks / Girona
The spectacular Flower Show/Contest, organised by the Friends of the Flower Association, takes over a good part of the city and is renowned for its incorporation of paintings, sculptures and music.
June / 1st and
2nd weeks / Cassa de la Selva
On the Night of the Musicians of Cassa one hundred and fifty musicians gather to form the greatest cobla (band playing typical Catalan instruments) ever assembled.
June 23 (Midsummer's
Eve) / Catalunya
The fiesta of San Juan is celebrated all over Catalunya with bonfires built in the streets and fireworks. Do not try to sleep on 23rd as the noise, singing and dancing, go on all night long.
June (end) -
July / Barcelona
At the end of June starts the festival of Grec with open-air concerts and dance performances, especially in the "Greek Theater" of Montjuic. There are stage performances, music and dances held in different locations - Greek Theatre (Teatre Grec), Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), Flower Market (Mercat de les Flores), King's Square (Plaza del Rei), City Park (Parc de la Cuitadella) and Music Palace (Palau de la Música).
July / 2nd week /
Blanes
The 'Concurs de Focs d'Artifici' is probably the most spectacular firework display/contest in the world. Spread over 3 nights, during the Santa Anna festival, the contest consumes over 500k of fireworks.
July / 3rd and 4th
weeks / Lloreta de Mar
The main feature of the Lloret Festival is called the Dance of the Almorratxes in recognition of the Arabian vases used to such effect during the performance.
July / Palamos and
Lloret de Mar
These two maritime processions celebrate the festival of Our Lady of Carmen. The commemorative crossings are accompanied by flotillas of guest laden fishing boats and in Lloret, the procession, on Santa Cristina's Day, culminates with a colourful regatta.
July / Calella de
Palafrugell
Over ten thousand visitors flock to hear the Havanera a singing festival that is traditionally accompanied by substantial imbibings of Cremat, a popular rum flambe.
August 15 / Banyoles
A fisherman's heaven. This contest, started in 1910, takes place in an area called l'estanyol del Vilar that adjoins the town's main lake.
August 26 / Tossa
de Mar
On this day Tossa becomes the artists capital of Catalunya. This international competition attracts both professionals and amateurs who vie with each other to secure the most attractive locations.
September 2 / Palafrugell
This celebration of food - apats - pays homage to local gastronomy. At the Sant Sebastia Lighthouse Fish Rice is prepared and served to the hungry visitors.
September 11 / Catalunya
(public holiday)
On 11th September 1714, Barcelona surrendered and fell to the Castillian army, so on this day the Catalonians want to remember what it was like not to be free. This is an occasion for singing the Catalan national Anthem and for separatist demonstrations and meetings. You will see many Catalan flags on balconies all over Barcelona and throughout the region.
September / 3rd and
4th weeks / Barcelona
The Fiesta de la Mercè is 4 days of processions. The dragons in the streets (correfoc - a procession of people dressed as devils and dragons, illuminated by catherine wheels fixed on special supports carried by the devils), human towers, concerts, dancing of the "sardanas" (the national dance of Catalunya) and important sporting events form an integral part of the festivities.
September / Girona
- Costa Brava
This vintage car rally winds it way imperiously through the Girona countryside, stopping frequently to indulge the curiosity of the hoards of spectators and discuss these increasingly rare machines.
September / 3rd and
4th weeks / Girona
What essentially is a 25k traverse of the city for cyclists includes all manner of wheeled transport. Throughout the whole day all sorts of improvised contraptions - carts, chariots, automobiles, airplanes, as well as cycles, can be seen attempting to wind their way around this Roman city.
October / Girona-Costa
Brava
The Rally Catalunya-Costa Brava is part of the official World Championship and attracts huge crowds to watch the cars race at speeds in excess of 100mph along its circuitous and dangerous route.
