During one week the streets are filled with colour and music to celebrate the great festival of the king of debauchery. The highlight of the festival is the float-filled parade on the Saturday, and of particular note are the concerts, the tasting of botifarra d’ou (egg sausage) and the crema de la bóta, the burning of the Carnival King figure in an enormous wineskin at the festivities' end.

This day recalls the heroic deed of Sant Jordi (Saint George), patron saint of Catalans. It is customary for couples to exchange roses and books. There is also the chance to see a human towers exhibition with the four colles (groups) of the city.

Els Tres Tombs, held in many towns throughout Catalonia, gathers a wide number of riders, carts and horses who go round the streets of the city-centre three times and receive the blessing of Sant Antoni (Saint Anthony), patron saint of domestic animals.

Tarragona travels in time up until a period of great splendour for the city: the Roman times. During these international symposiums to raise awareness of ancient Roman history, the visitor lives the Roman Tarraco through historic performances such as gladiator fights, Roman theatre, music and dance and historical re-enactments of life in Roman times.All of this within an incomparable setting: the monumental sites declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Fire, music, and human castles are the backbone of the Saint John Festival in Tarragona

The main events take place in El Serrallo, Tarragona's seafarers´ neighbourhood, with the arrival of the flame from the Canigó, and on the Rambla Nova, with the Fire Parade, led by the local fire groups (Ball de Diables, Drac, Bou, Griu, Víbria and Colla de Diables Voramar del Serrallo), accompanied by some invited groups, which ends with the lighting of the bonfire. Kermesses (street parties) take place in different squares around the city, ending at dawn.

The main festival of the seafaring quarter of Tarragona, El Serrallo

and one of the most traditional local festivals in the city of Tarragona. The main event is the procession of Sant Pere, in which the image of the saint is paraded through the streets of the neighbourhood accompanied by other popular figures.

The procession of Mare de Déu del Carme is an excellent example of a very traditional event in Tarragona’s seafaring’s quarter.

Fishermen and sailors carry the Virgin of Mount Carmel ceremoniously across the waters of the Mediterranean, disembarking in the El Serrallo neighbourhood.

See the program of the festivals and live an authentic seafaring experience in Tarragona!

This is the celebration of one of the best known streets in the Part Alta (historic quarter) and one of the most traditional in the city.

A cannon signals the start of the parade, in which giants and other popular figures dance through the streets to bring the neighbourhood to life. You won’t want to miss seeing the Cós del Bou giants, known as the Gegants Vells (the old giants), which are the oldest giants in the city (1825) and were given to the residents of the Cós del Bou neighbourhood by the city hall in 1904.

Tarragona lives the Catalan National day with the Catalan traditions par excellence: Sardana dances and human towers.

Romescvs + Macabevs. 100% DO Tarragona

Special menus in the city's restaurants. Treat yourself to Tarragona's most celebrated dish.

The area around the cathedral turns into a medieval market where to purchase handcraft products.

Moreover, one can enjoy street performances set in medieval times (minstrels, jugglers...).

The streets abound with stands selling fresh-roasted chestnuts. This holiday is best known for the panellets (traditional pine-nuts sweets) that fill the pastry shops and for the flowers for the departed.

One of the city’s most traditional fairs, where you can sample the different olive oils produced in the protected Designation of Origin of Siurana.

Showing of national and international fiction or documentary feature films. A great opportunity to get to know new directors or rediscover well-known directors through their first works.

Enjoy newly released films, new directors, discoveries, emotions and much more.