One of the manifestations with the most solemnity in the city of Tarragona is Easter Week, which main event is the Holy Burial Procession on Good Friday.
The first documented proof of the celebration of this procession through the streets of the Part Alta (Old Town) goes back to the year 1550. Currently more than 4000 people group in 13 associations, brotherhoods and congregations and carry 20 pasos (episodes of the Passion of Christ) in this procession. The procession is preceded by the armed soldiers who break the silence with the sound of their kettledrums.

The only festival in Spain dedicated to dixieland, the origin of Jazz, popular music from New Orleans from the end of the 19th century. Every year it holds more than fifty concerts and activities in different areas as theatres, bars, restaurants and also in the open air.

A series of culinary events which take place as part of Tarraco Viva, the international festival celebrating Roman history. Some restaurants participate in this event which brings back recipes from the Roman era.

The coca de cireres (flatbread with cherries) and the ou com balla (dancing egg) are the most rooted traditions in the celebration of this religious festivity where one can also enjoy some traditional elements of the parade such as the towering giants and the Magí de les Timbales (a drummer on horse who announces the festival).

Tarragona, City of Human Towers, offers human tower exhibitions and events

A magnificent chance to live out this tradition with over 200 years of history that is still very much present in our area’s traditional festivals.

Tarragona celebrates the 30th International Fireworks Display Competition "Ciutat de Tarragona"

The Fireworks Competition has a long tradition (1990) and it has become one of the most important on the Mediterranean. The winning pyrotechnics will be commissioned for the fireworks during the city’s biggest fiesta (Santa Tecla).

This is one of the city’s major festivals

and is celebrated with fascinating elements of local popular culture, such as Magí de les Timbales, the giants, the Gegantons Negritos, dwarves, bastoners (dancers hitting sticks together in rhythm) and more. All these festive figures come together to accompany the water of Sant Magí, the central focus of the festival. The castells (human towers) also play a role in the celebration, along with a wide variety of festive and cultural events (concerts, theatre, etc.).

There is no other time of the year as lively as during the great festival, Santa Tecla.

In 2002 was declared “Festival of tourist interest” by the Spanish government and in 2010 was declared “Patrimonial festival of national interest” by the Catalan government. The origins of this celebration held on the streets go back to the year 1321 when the arm relic of the patron saint arrived to the city from Armenia.

The Castells Competition is an event with the best colles (human tower groups) in the country, held every two years in Tarraco Arena Plaça (ancient bullfighting ring).
The most important human towers groups from around Catalonia, together with the local ones, gather to participate in the most contested and attended human castle day of the entire season.

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

The SCAN Tarragona Festival is back in a renewed and socially committed stage

This biennial festival offers the public an interesting and complete programme of exhibitions, screenings, conferences and workshops.

From the beginning of December Tarragona is decked with festive Christmas lights and hosts its annual Christmas fair. Two very rooted traditions are re-enacted: el Tió (log that gives presents) and the nativity scenes exhibited in premises of different associations and in the city’s parks. The festivities are completed with different Christmas activities: Performance of the theatre show Els Pastorets (The Little Sheperds), Christmas carol singing, and the children’s park, among others.