UNESCO Heritage · Fire and emotion
Festivals & Events in Tarragona
Castellers reaching for the sky, gegants dancing in millennial streets, fire illuminating the amphitheatre. Tarragona's festivals are unique in the world.
Santa Tecla
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The most important festival in Tarragona and one of the most unique in Catalonia. The city's patron saint, Santa Tecla, is celebrated for an entire week with a programme built over centuries. In 2010, UNESCO declared the Castellers of Tarragona an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
What you'll find
- ▸Castellers: human towers up to 10 storeys high at Plaça de la Font
- ▸Gegants: giant figures parading through the Part Alta
- ▸Ball de Diables: fire devils with firecrackers in medieval alleyways
- ▸Processó del Seguici: the oldest procession in Catalonia
- ▸Ball de Cavallets and Àliga: centuries-old traditional dances
- ▸Cercavila: popular parade throughout the city
The main day is 23 September. Plaça de la Font fills with thousands to watch the castellers. Arrive by 10:00 to get a good spot.
Tarraco Viva
Europe's largest Roman living history festival
Spain's largest Roman life recreation festival and one of the most important in Europe. For 10 days in May, Tarragona becomes Tarraco: Roman legionaries, merchants, gladiators, priests and citizens bring 2,000 years of history to life at the monuments.
What you'll find
- ▸Gladiator combat at the Roman Amphitheatre
- ▸Roman market at the Forum with period craftsmen and traders
- ▸Roman legion parades along Rambla Nova
- ▸Roman religious rites and sacrifices at the Provincial Forum
- ▸Workshops on Roman writing, cooking and arts
- ▸Theatrical night visits to the monuments
The legionary parade along Rambla Nova with the Balcó del Mediterrani in the background is the most spectacular image of the festival.
Holy Week
Night processions declared of National Tourist Interest
Tarragona's Holy Week is one of the most ancient and solemn in Catalonia. The brotherhoods — some centuries old — process through the alleyways of the Part Alta and Rambla Nova carrying baroque statues of great artistic value. Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
What you'll find
- ▸Holy Burial Procession (Good Friday): the most impressive
- ▸Historic brotherhoods in medieval-coloured robes
- ▸Passage through illuminated Roman walls at night
- ▸Band music at the Cathedral of Santa Tecla
- ▸Exhibition of processional floats at the Museu Diocesà
- ▸Opening proclamation at the Cathedral on Palm Sunday
Good Friday night is the pinnacle. The silence of the brotherhoods through candlelit medieval alleyways creates a unique atmosphere.
Sant Magí
Second major festival · Castellers and popular celebration
Sant Magí is the city's patron before Santa Tecla and Tarragona's second major festival. On 19 August, the city celebrates with castellers, gegants, ball de diables and a great popular verbena at the Parc de la Font dels Escudellers.
What you'll find
- ▸Castellers at Plaça de la Font
- ▸Night Ball de Diables with fire
- ▸Popular verbena at Parc de la Font
- ▸Solemn ceremony at the Cathedral
- ▸Gegants and the Sant Magí figure
- ▸Concerts and street entertainment
Perfect for watching the castellers in a more intimate and family atmosphere than Santa Tecla. Fewer tourists, more authentic.
Tarragona Carnival
Most lively carnival on the Costa Daurada
Tarragona's carnival fills Rambla Nova with colour, music and costumes in mid-winter. The grand Rua del Carnaval attracts thousands of costumed participants with floats, murgas and groups. The atmosphere is completely festive and participatory.
What you'll find
- ▸Grand Rua del Carnaval along Rambla Nova
- ▸Costume contest with prizes
- ▸Burial of the Sardine on Ash Wednesday
- ▸Masked balls at civic centres
- ▸Murgas and comparsa contest
- ▸Children's activities throughout the week
The Burial of the Sardine on Ash Wednesday closes the carnival with humour and theatricality. A very local and fun event.
Concurs de Castells
The world's greatest castellers competition
Every two years (even years), Tarragona hosts the Concurs de Castells, the world championship of human towers. Over 40 casteller teams from across Catalonia compete for two days at the Tarraco Arena Plana. It is the greatest spectacle of Catalan folk culture and one of the most unique in the world.
What you'll find
- ▸Over 40 casteller teams competing over 2 days
- ▸Castells up to 10 storeys with over 500 people
- ▸Tarraco Arena Plana filled with 17,000 spectators
- ▸Top teams: Castellers de Vilafranca, Vetes i Maduixes, Minyons de Terrassa
- ▸Unique atmosphere with each team's coloured shirts
- ▸Maximum excitement with the 9-storey castells with folre and manilles
Tickets sell out months in advance. The first Sunday is the most exciting. Attend Saturday morning's rehearsal to see the castells up close.
Festival and Events Calendar
🏆 The Castellers de Tarragona
The Castellers de Tarragona are the city's casteller team, founded in 1932. They wear green and white shirts. At Santa Tecla they perform at Plaça de la Font, their home square, with the town hall as backdrop. In 2010, UNESCO declared the castellers an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — the only Catalan tradition with that recognition.
La Vella
The top of the castell. The last storeys, made up of children and teenagers. The most tense moment.
El Tronc
The central body of the castell. The strongest adults. The backbone of the structure.
La Pinya
The base, formed by hundreds of people. Absorbs the weight and protects against a fall. The invisible strength.