From 15 to 24 September

 

The festival dates back to the 14th century with the arrival of the Relic of Santa Tecla to Tarragona.

During weeks the city celebrates one of the most emblematic local festivities in Catalonia.

Among the most representative celebrations we find:

 

• Friday 15 September:

19:00 hrs Font Square: ‘’La Crida’’. Opening ceremony by the Mayor. Followed by the ’’Crida i Tronada’’, the start of the festivities.

21:15 hrs Rambla Vella in front of Santa Tecla Hospital: Presentation of the new costumes of the ‘’Ball de Diables’’.

• Saturday 16 September:

21:30 hrs Cols Square: 25th anniversary of the ‘’Ball de Diables’’ for kids. (fire show)

22:00 hrs Bisbe Bonet Square: 74th Sardana dance.

22:30 hrs Cols Square: ‘’La Cucafera Baixa’’, representation of the legend of ‘’the Cucafera’’.

23:00 hrs Rambla Nova: Concert – 40 Principales Night

• Sunday 17 September:

11:00 hrs Rei Square: Concentration of ‘’the Colla Vella dels Xiquets’’ from Valls and the ‘’Castellers’’ from Vilafranca (human towers).

12:00 hrs Font Square: ‘’Diada de Santa Tecla’’ – First Sunday. Human towers with the ‘’Xiquets’’ from Tarragona, the ‘’Colla Jove Xiquets’’ from Tarragona, the ‘’Colla Vella dels Xiquets’’ from Valls and the’’’Castellers’’ from Vilafranca.

17:00 hrs Font Square: Parade of ‘’Bèsties de foc’’(fire show).

20:000 hrs Cols Square: Lighting of the participating fire elements, including the ‘’Víbria’’ and the ‘’Vibrieta’’.

22:30 hrs from Cós del Bou Street: Commemorative performance of the ‘’Ball de Diables’’ (fire show).

• Monday 18 September:

18:30 hrs from Pla de la Seu: ‘’La Baixadeta de l’Aligueta’’, ‘’la Mulasseta’’, ‘’el Lleonet’’, ‘’els Gegants Moros Petits’’, ‘’els Negritos Petits’’, ‘’els Gegants Vells Petits’’ and ‘’la Cucafereta’’. (Parade of fire elements)

20:00 hrs Cols Square: Performance of the “Ball Parlat” (Baton Dance).

• Tuesday 19 September:

From 17:30 hrs different types of traditional dances for children (batons, ‘’cercolets’’) will take place in different squares of the old town.

• Thursday 21 September:

18:30 hrs Font Square: The proclamation of Santa Tecla. Followed by the Amparito Roca song which starts the arrival of the Giants.

24:00 hrs from Pla de la Seu: The ‘’Baixada de L’Àliga’’, the ‘’Gegants Vells’’, the ‘’Lleó’’, ‘’La Mulassa’’ and the bands (Parade of diferent elements).

02:30 hrs Font Square: ‘’L’Arribada de L’Àliga’’, ‘’el Gegants Vells’’, ‘’el Lleó’’ and ’’La Mulassa’’ and start of the ‘’Ball de L’Any’’. (Parade from elements and danse show).

• Friday 22 September:

19:00 hrs from the Font Square: ‘’Santa Tecla parade’’, first full departure of the whole festive elements.

From 21:30 hrs in different squares of the Old Town: Traditional Danses.

From 11 p.m. onwards, open-air dances and concerts in different locations.

• Saturday 23 September:

07:00 hrs: From the Font Square: ‘’Toc de Matinades’’, through different streets of the city.

09:15 hrs from the Font Square: Beginning of the Office with the popular festive elements and salute to the “Senyera”. Followed by Catholic celebration and procession.

13:00 hrs Font Square: ‘’Diada castellera de Santa Tecla’’ (human towers).

18:15 hrs Font Square: Parade of all festive elements.

19:00 hrs Seu Square: Procession of the relic of Santa Tecla.

21:00 hrs Rambla Nova: Sardanas Dance.

23:00 hrs from Punta del Miracle: Fireworks display.

24:00 hrs Rei Square: “Gralles” dance.

• Sunday 24 September:

13:00 hrs Cols Square: “Castells” and “Pilars caminants” from the Cathedral to Font Square.

22:00 hrs from the Mitja Lluna Square: ‘’Correfoc’’ de Santa Tecla (fire show).

 

Every evening from 18:00 hrs in Verdaguer Square: Teclatapa, where you can taste ‘’tapas’’ from the different entities of the city.

You can check Tarragona Turisme web and  the full programme here.