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Tarragona is a city awash in light and colour. The mild climate and Mediterranean character, the charm of the streets and the warmth of the people make it an ideal spot for outdoor leisure and cultural pursuits. Tarragona is also synonymous with festivities, and here the festivities take to the streets. Thanks to the many traditional local and Catalan regional holidays, the agenda is packed with celebrations all year long.

  • 5 January

    The Three Wise Men arrive to the city by boat, after a long journey to fulfil the dreams of young and old people

    The kids wait impatiently for the Tree Wise Men who arrive at the Serrallo to tour the city accompanied by the pages and floats.

  • 28 November 2024-6 January 2025

    The magic of Christmas in Tarragona     

    From the end of November 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.

  • 4 December 2024-1 February 2025

    A nativity scene inspired by scenes from old engravings of Tarragona

    Miniature replicas of Tarragona 's monuments as they looked in the 19th century will serve as the backdrop for various depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The figures are part of the collection of the Diocesan Museum of Tarragona.

  • 2-13 February

    Celebrate the great festival of the king of debauchery in Tarragona Carnival

    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 bota (the burning of the Carnival King figure in an enormous barrel) at the festivities' end. 

    Program of the Carnival: download as a pdf

  • 4 December 2024-1 February 2025

    A nativity scene inspired by scenes from old engravings of Tarragona

    Miniature replicas of Tarragona 's monuments as they looked in the 19th century will serve as the backdrop for various depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The figures are part of the collection of the Diocesan Museum of Tarragona.

  • 17 March

    The traditional tres tombs parade returns to Tarragona

    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 and receive the blessing of Sant Antoni (Saint Anthony), patron saint of domestic animals.

  • 23-26 March

    Experience the Spanish edition of the world's most famous water polo festival for kids

    A three-day tournament plus a day dedicated to fun and excitement at PortAventura Park. The world’s leading grassroots water polo festival will take place at the Sylvia Fontana Olympic outdoor pool in Tarragona.

  • 24 March-1 April

    Easter Week: the Passion comes to Tarragona

    Tradition and spirituality coexist in the city during Easter Week, celebrations that most Tarragona residents experience intensely, regardless of their religious beliefs.

    Program of the Easter Week 2024 in Tarragona: download as a pdf

  • 29 March

    The Holy Burial Procession, the highlight of Easter Week in Tarragona

    The Holy Burial Procession on Good Friday is the most eagerly awaited moment of Easter Week in Tarragona, in which more than 4,000 brotherhoods take part before the attentive gaze of visitors.

  • 24 March-1 April

    Easter Week: the Passion comes to Tarragona

    Tradition and spirituality coexist in the city during Easter Week, celebrations that most Tarragona residents experience intensely, regardless of their religious beliefs.

    Program of the Easter Week 2024 in Tarragona: download as a pdf

  • 7-27 April

    Revel in the world of magic

    The world of illusionism comes together on the stages of Tarragona to offer a selection of the best magic shows today.

  • 23 April

    Celebrate the Sant Jordi (St. George) Feast in Tarragona

    On this day the Saint George Feast, patron saint of the Catalans, is commemorated. It is customary for couples to exchange roses and books. There is also a human towers exhibition by the city's four colles (groups): Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo and Colla Castellera Sant Pere i Sant Pau.

  • 25-28 April

    The best jazz music in Tarragona

    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 thirty concerts and activities in different areas as theatres, bars, restaurants and also in the open air.

  • 30 April-5 May

    The Feria de Abril returns to Bonavista, a fusion of Catalan and Andalusian culture

    Enjoy the Feria de Abril in the twelve casetas (tents) located in an area of 13,000 m2. Every night there will be a different musical performance with artists, most of them local, on a covered stage in the central aisle.

  • 30 April-5 May

    The Feria de Abril returns to Bonavista, a fusion of Catalan and Andalusian culture

    Enjoy the Feria de Abril in the twelve casetas (tents) located in an area of 13,000 m2. Every night there will be a different musical performance with artists, most of them local, on a covered stage in the central aisle.

  • 10-26 May

    Treat yourself to delicious rice à la marinière

    Some of the best restaurants in Tarragona offer you menus with rice à la marinière as the protagonist.

  • 11 and 12 May

    Fòrum Vinarium returns to the Plaça del Fòrum in Tarragona

    Fòrum Vinarium, a wine tourism proposal to enjoy the best wines from the different Designations of Origin of the territory, craft beers, local cavas (high-quality sparkling wine), local vermouths and a great assortment of tapas (appetizer) from the bars and taverns of the Plaça del Fòrum.

  • 13-26 May

    Come to Tarragona’s Roman festival and discover your history!

    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.

  • 18 May

    An opportunity to get to know Tarragona's museums and cultural institutions

    On the night of 18 May, the participating institutions stay open late and offer a different way to see their exhibitions, as well as the chance to enjoy activities and guided tours.

  • 31 May-2 June

    An opportunity to taste and get to know DO Tarragona (Designation of Origin) wine

    The DO Tarragona is launching a leisure and cultural programme that will connect the city with the inland areas of the region.

  • 31 May-2 June

    An opportunity to taste and get to know DO Tarragona (Designation of Origin) wine

    The DO Tarragona is launching a leisure and cultural programme that will connect the city with the inland areas of the region.

  • 2 June

    A magnificent chance to live out this tradition in Tarragona

    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 entourage such as the towering giants and the Magí de les Timbales (a drummer on horse who announces the festival).

  • 14-22 June

    Live the experience of listening ancient music in Tarragona

    TAU, a series of concerts that brings 16th to 18th centuries music to Tarragona. The ancient music will resound in the stone of the temple that presides over the city of Tarragona, the Cathedral. In addition, you can also enjoy two concerts in the Serrallo, the seafaring quarter of Tarragona. 

  • 23 and 24 June

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

    The main events of the St. John Festival 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.

  • 24 June-6 October

    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.

  • 27-30 June

    Celebrate Sant Pere, the main festival of the seafaring quarter of Tarragona, El Serrallo

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

  • 18 June-2 October

    Summer Festival, Dance and Family Culture Cycle: three cycles for this summer in Tarragona

    Music, shows, and much more: enjoy all the proposals included in Estiu Tarragona Cultura (Summer Tarragona Culture)!

  • 24 June-6 October

    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.

  • 18 June-2 October

    Summer Festival, Dance and Family Culture Cycle: three cycles for this summer in Tarragona

    Music, shows, and much more: enjoy all the proposals included in Estiu Tarragona Cultura (Summer Tarragona Culture)!

  • 9-19 August

    Sant Magí Tarragona is one of the Tarragona’s major festivals

    Sant Magí 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.).

    Program of the festivals in Sant Magí Tarragona 2024: download as a pdf

  • 14-16 August

    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.

    Program of the festivals in 2024: download as a pdf

  • 28-31 August

    An open door to new talents performed in different languages

    The Tarragona international theatre festival aims to bring together all the new plays of contemporary authors and directors of different origins, whether from home or abroad. The main distinctive trait is that these new dramas will be performed in places that are not theatres, but rather other of the city’s emblematic or historical sites.

  • 24 June-6 October

    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.

  • 11 September

    The National Day of Catalonia

    The Catalan National Day or Diada de l'Onze de Setembre is the bank holidays of Catalonia and is commemorated annually.

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

  • 13-24 September

    Santa Tecla , Viu la festa de les festes, la festa major de TarragonaThere is no other time of the year as lively as during the great festival, Santa Tecla.

    For over one week, the people from Tarragona and the visitors go out on the streets to take over the most emblematic areas of the city where the different traditional, festive and gastronomic events take place.

  • 15 September

    The sports event of Santa Tecla

    The most festive and traditional sporting event in Tarragona.

  • 28 and 29 September

    The event devoted to manga, anime, and videogames in Tarragona

    The most spectacular event dedicated to manga, anime, and videogames is returning to the Tarragona Trade Exhibition and Conference Centre! Mark your calendar for the weekend of 28 and 29 September, and get ready for more fun than ever before, with cosplay professionals, contests and competitions, arcade games and pinball, gaming and retrogaming, workshops, exhibitions, voice actors and actresses, arts and crafts, shops, food trucks, a tattoo zone, and much more!

  • 24 June-6 October

    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.

  • 1-6 October

    Enjoy a programme full of festive and cultural activities

    Experience the festivities in an unbeatable setting, in the heart of the Part Alta (historic centre), a unique and emblematic place in Tarragona.
    Carrer Merceria, Plaça de les Cols and Plaça del Fòrum, among others, will be full of activities!

  • 5 and 6 October

    The world's largest human tower show

    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.

  • 7-13 October

    Breathe the art of flamenco to its maximum expression

    This October the city is organizing a series of events with an emphasis on Flamenco. Internationally-recognized flamenco stars and local artistes will be headlining a programme that includes flamenco shows, concerts, workshops and exhibitions.

  • 11-13 October

    The area around the Plaça de la Pagesia turns into a medieval market where to purchase handcraft products.

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

  • 11-27 October

    Romescvs + Macabevs. 100% DO Tarragona

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

  • 18 October-15 December

    SCAN, the Tarragona photography contest

    SCAN offers the public an interesting and complete programme of exhibitions, screenings, conferences and workshops.

  • 18 October-15 December

    SCAN, the Tarragona photography contest

    SCAN offers the public an interesting and complete programme of exhibitions, screenings, conferences and workshops.

  • 1 - 3 November

    What to do in Tarragona this All Saints' Day and Halloween?

    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.

  • 9-10 November

    Enjoy The Embutada: come and taste the new wines while enjoying regional gourmet products and cultural attractions!

    The Embutada festival aims to uphold the memory and winemaking traditions of the funnel system, which was not only used in Tarragona and the towns of the county of Tarragonès, but also in such iconic winemaking regions as Priorat and Baix Penedès.

  • 16 and 17 November

    Fòrum Vinarium returns to the Plaça del Fòrum in Tarragona

    Fòrum Vinarium, a wine tourism proposal to enjoy the best wines from the different Designations of Origin of the territory, craft beers, local cavas (high-quality sparkling wine), local vermouths and a great assortment of tapas (appetizer) from the bars and taverns of the Plaça del Fòrum.

  • 22 November-27 December

    Renaissance and Baroque music concerts

    Tarragona cathedral's extraordinary organ will once again be heard this autumn in a series of Renaissance and Baroque concerts concluding with a classical Christmas repertoire series, a fantastic opportunity to experience this majestic 16th century instrument, which at 20 metres high and 9 metres wide is one of the jewels of the cathedral's heritage.

  • 28 November

    All set to switch on Tarragona's Christmas lights

    Join us for the Christmas lights switch-on festival, which kicks off the city's Christmas festivities.

    The magic begins!  Make this Christmas a fairytale Christmas in Tarragona!

  • 28 November 2024-6 January 2025

    The magic of Christmas in Tarragona     

    From the end of November 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.

  • 29 and 30 November

    The best time of the year to taste, choose and savour the new olive oil from our cooperatives

    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.

  • 30 November-8 December

    Celebration of the anniversary of the declaration of the Tarraco Archaeological Ensemble as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

    Doors open days, drone show, projection mapping show, dance and much more in Tarragona!

  • 18 October-15 December

    SCAN, the Tarragona photography contest

    SCAN offers the public an interesting and complete programme of exhibitions, screenings, conferences and workshops.

  • 22 November-27 December

    Renaissance and Baroque music concerts

    Tarragona cathedral's extraordinary organ will once again be heard this autumn in a series of Renaissance and Baroque concerts concluding with a classical Christmas repertoire series, a fantastic opportunity to experience this majestic 16th century instrument, which at 20 metres high and 9 metres wide is one of the jewels of the cathedral's heritage.

  • 28 November 2024-6 January 2025

    The magic of Christmas in Tarragona     

    From the end of November 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.

  • 30 November-8 December

    Celebration of the anniversary of the declaration of the Tarraco Archaeological Ensemble as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

    Doors open days, drone show, projection mapping show, dance and much more in Tarragona!

  • 4 December 2024-1 February 2025

    A nativity scene inspired by scenes from old engravings of Tarragona

    Miniature replicas of Tarragona 's monuments as they looked in the 19th century will serve as the backdrop for various depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The figures are part of the collection of the Diocesan Museum of Tarragona.

  • 4-8 December

    The REC film festival brings new film talent to Tarragona

    REC is a national and international showcase for fiction and documentary feature films. It's a great opportunity to get to know new directors and rediscover well-known directors through their debut films.

    Enjoy award-winning premiere films from the top international festivals, discover new directors, new films, captivating moments and much more. 

  • 8 December

    “City of Tarragona” Half Marathon +10K, two competitive races that bring together runners from all over the world in a great celebration of long-distance running

    As has been the tradition for over 25 years now, the “City of Tarragona” Half Marathon +10K will be held in November. Some 2.500 participants fill the city’s streets, free from circulating traffic, in order to reach their personal goal. 

  • 31 December

    Enjoy this Catalan tradition in Tarragona

    During the last day in the year, a funny character called Home dels Nassos, who has as many noses as days left in the year (a large nose), represented by a nano (big head), walks around the city’s streets giving out sweets to children.

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