Het ‘festa major’ is het grote feest van Sitges. En als we groot zeggen, bedoelen we groot. Deze viering wordt op 24 augustus gehouden om de beschermheilige van Sitges, Sant Bartomeu (Sint Bartholomeus) te eren, met reuzen, demonen en volksdansen op de 23ste en 24ste. Het festival duurt 36 intense uren, en gaat in de middag van de 23ste van start met de komst van de grallero-fluitspelers. Om elf uur 's avonds wordt het adembenemende traditionele vuurwerk afgestoken op het strand La Fragata.

  

Events prior to Sant Bartomeu

 

Saturday 2 August

Annual Festival Quinto game

5 pm, El Retiro Gardens

With a bunch of prizes and surprises. Organiser: Colla Vella and Colla Jove de Diables de Sitges.

 

Annual Festival Funfair

From 2 to 24 August, Parc de Can Robert

50% discount on all rides on 6, 13 and 20 August (all day long). There will be no music or lights on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 August from 6 to 8 pm for people with sensorial diversity.

 

Thursday 7 August

The Annual Festival in dance

6 pm, Racó de la Calma

Family workshop. Recommended age: 6 to 11. Price: €4. Tickets at museusdesitges.cat.

Organiser: Museus de Sitges

 

Saturday 9 August

L’Alegria of the Annual Festival

7 pm, El Retiro Gardens

Music performance featuring the band L’Alegria de Sitges, with the best songs of yesterday, today and always. Open to all.

Organiser: Societat Recreativa El Retiro.

 

Sunday 10 August

Pradeja la Festa

7.30 pm, Casino Prado Suburense gardens

Gralla concert featuring the Escola de Grallers de Sitges, passi de banda i faixa of the Heiress and Heir of Casino Prado Suburense and the Heiress and Heir of Carrusel. To liven things up, Semper PD’s with a DJ session full of rhythm. Free event.

Organiser: Casino Prado Suburense.

 

Thursday 14 August

Annual Festival on a t-shirt

6 pm, Racó de la Calma

Family workshop. Recommended age: 5 to 11. Price: €4. Tickets at museusdesitges.cat.

Organiser: Museus de Sitges  museusdesitges.cat 

 

Barraques de Sitges

8.30 pm, Pl. de la Fragata

Concert by the bands Kintus, Akelarre and DJ KZU.

Organiser: Associació de Barraques de Sitges.

 

Friday 15 August

Barraques de Sitges

8.30 pm, Pl. de la Fragata

Concert by the bands Remei de Ca la Fresca, Jazzwoman, Lendakaris Muertos, Crim and Lo Puto Cat. Dadsons Pd’s among bands.

Organiser: Associació de Barraques de Sitges.

 

41st Sardana Night

10 pm, El Retiro Gardens

With the bands Cobla Maricel and Cobla Jovenívola from Sabadell. Open to all.

Organiser: Amics de la Sardana de Sitges.

 

Saturday 16 August

Opening of the Historical Exhibition of the Art of Sitges, 1925-2025. The first modern art story in Sitges.

7 pm, Espai Cultural Pere Stämpfli

The show will remain open until 19 September. Organiser: Grup d’Estudis Sitgetans.

 

2nd Annual Festival Light Sailing Regatta Trophy

10 am to 3 pm, Club Nàutic de Sitges

Regatta among groups participating in the Annual Festival.

Organiser: Club Nàutic.

 

Barraques de Sitges

6.30 pm, Pl. de la Fragata

Concerts by the bands Pessigolles, Pitxorines, Maruja Limón, Buhos, Boom Boom Fighters & Cookah P and DJ Ceba. Organiser: Associació de Barraques de Sitges.

 

Exhibition of the Sant Bartomeu Flag

During liturgical celebrations at the parish church.

 

Sunday 17 August

Annual Festival aperitif

12 noon to 2.30 pm, Hort de Can Falç

Performance by Les Veïnes. After that, DJ music.

Organiser: Ateneu Popular de Sitges.

 

Tour around Sitges

11 am (Catalan), 12 noon (Spanish), Museu del Cau Ferrat and Museu de Maricel

A guided tour to rediscover Sitges through Rusiñol's eyes. Price: €12. Tickets at museusdesitges.cat.

Organiser: Museus de Sitges

 

Exhibition of the Sant Bartomeu Flag

During liturgical celebrations at the parish church.

 

Official Sant Bartomeu events

Tuesday 19 August

Reading of the Satirical Speech

7 pm, Palau del Rei Moro By Pol Arnau

Next, farewell to the Heiress and Heir from 2024, introduction of the Heiress and Heir of the ABPS for 2025 and recognition of a person associated with the organisation.

Organiser: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.

 

Annual Festival speech

10 pm, Pl. Ajuntament

By Retrio: Joan Pinós, Pinyu Martí and Òscar Ferret, with simultaneous interpretation in Catalan Sign Language. In the event of rain or poor weather, a new venue will be announced in the official social media accounts.

In collaboration with La Sitgetana Craftbeer and Pirotècnia Igual.

 

Speech Concert: Arrels de Gràcia

11.15 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

Once the opening speeches are over, the festival kicks off with the joyful, festive sound of a band that is part of Catalan rumba’s genealogical tree.

 

Wednesday 20 August

Opening of the collective mural Let's Paint the Festival

6 pm, La Plaça (Miramar Centre Cultural)

You can participate in the mural until 22 August by adding your own drawing, photographs or other printed materials to make a collage, or by painting on it directly. Free activity.

In collaboration with Pelikan.

 

Family show A la fresca by Cia. Anna Confetti

7 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

Three clowns take to the streets with a giant chair. Inspired by the charming tradition of grandparents who would sit outside to cool off and exchange stories.

 

Open-air discussion: From the Street to the Square

8 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

Focused on the importance of taking back the streets and the neighbourhood initiatives and associations that make it possible.

 

Concert: Annual Festival Jazz

8 pm and 9.30 pm (only if tickets at 8 pm sell out), Racó de la Calma

Retrio offers traditional tunes run through the filter of jazz. Price: €15. Tickets at museusdesitges.cat.

Organiser: Museus de Sitges

 

Concert: BKT Brass Band

10 pm, Cap de la Vila

BKT will walk through the streets of Sitges until reaching La Plaça, where they will bring the festivities and fun to the stage.

 

Thursday 21 August

Everyone's Annual Festival, Ball de Gitanes dance with diversity

6 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

Performance of an adapted version of the Ball de Gitanes dance by users of the Fundació Ave Maria.

Organiser: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges in conjunction with the Fundació Ave Maria.

 

Concert: Setting the Festival to guitar music

7 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

This is a Sitges-based project featuring the guitar, adding even more music to our festival.

Organiser: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.

 

Transfer of the image of Sant Bartomeu

8 pm, Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church

The Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Municipal Commission, on behalf of the municipal authorities, will collect the image of the patron saint from Msgr. Rafael Vilaplana, Rector of the parish church. During the event, the medals are awarded to the new members of the Corps of Carriers of the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Tabernacle. After that, accompanied by the band Cobla Maricel, the image is moved to C. Santa Bàrbara no. 5, the location designated by Mr Joan Pros i Borràs, this year's Standard-bearer. Once it arrives, a prayer will be held to open the display of the saint’s image.

Route: Baluard, Pl. de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Pl. Pou Vedre and Santa Bàrbara.

 

Havaneres: Les Anxovetes

10 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

This band from Girona, with a repertoire sung solely by women, performs classic and traditional havaneres in an ideal setting by the Mediterranean Sea. The traditional flamed rum will be served.

 

Friday 22 August

Display of the image of Sant Bartomeu

11 am to 4 pm and 5.30 to 9 pm, C. Santa Bàrbara, 5

The image of Sant Bartomeu will remain on display in the site designated by this year's Standard-bearer.

 

Teen PAM (Prepara’t Amb Mi) workshops

5.30 to 8 pm, La Plaça (Miramar Centre Cultural)

Personalise a t-shirt, create a necklace or keychain with mini hoops, and make the traditional hair plaits for the Annual Festival Free workshops for young people (ages 13 to 18). Registration at sitgesfestamajor.cat.

In conjunction with Raffel Pagès, Pirotècnia Igual and Les Panderetes.

 

Festival to unveil the new costumes of the American Giants

Starting at 6 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

Start of the festival with Cuban music from DJ Xavi Camps.  At 7 pm, unveiling of the new costumes with a puppet show by La Tija. After that, the American Giants will appear.  Wear white clothing!

Organiser: Councillor's Office of Traditions and Festivals, American Giants group in collaboration with the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Municipal Commission.

 

Let's dress the Moorish Giants

6.15 pm, Palau del Rei Moro

Let’s dress up Fa-Luch and la La-hia with the kids!

Organiser: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.

 

Transfer of the Town Giants (new ones), the Dragon and the Eagle

7.15 pm, Espai Festes (Pl. dels Artistes)

We’ll parade them from La Plaça (La Torreta), where they’ll meet up with the Moorish Giants, and together they’ll collect the American Giants to head to City Council accompanied by the Agrupació Musical Suburband.

 

Presentation of the new dance Batecs 1980

8 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

The Colla Noies del Ball de Bastons [girl stick-dancers] will première their first own dance, Batecs 1980, a tribute to the history of everyone who has been a part of the dance. Organiser: Colla Noies del Ball de Bastons de Sitges.

 

Sant Bartomeu popular rehearsal

9 pm, Pl. de l’Ajuntament

Organiser: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

 

Handover of the Flag

9 pm, Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church

With a recital of allegorical poems to the Flag of the Patron Saint and the singing of the Goigs de Sant Bartomeu by the Cor dels Amics de l’Orgue. This year's Flag Poem is by Alba López Varas.

 

Flag-moving passacaglia

After the Handover of the Flag

Passacaglia from the home of the president of the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Municipal Commission, Xavier Salmerón i Carbonell, at number 9 Carrer Illes Balears, accompanied by the Agrupació Musical Suburband.

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Garraf, Torrent de la Pleta, Joan Maragall, Pompeu Fabra, beneath the underpass, Tarragona, Aragó and Illes Balears number 9.

 

Popular Watermelon Fest

9.45 pm, C. Illes Balears, 9

Once the flag reaches the house of the president, popular watermelon fest. In collaboration with the Mercat Municipal de Sitges and the Associació de Veïns de les Cases Noves.

 

Concert: Alosa

10.30 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

The duo made up of Giulietta Vidal (voice) and Irene Romo (cello) offer a personal, sincere, energetic concert within the imaginary of Catalan folklore which captivates audiences thanks to their ability to fuse tradition and modernity.

 

Saturday 23 August Sant Bartomeu Eve

Display of the image of Sant Bartomeu

11 am to 7 pm (time of the Civic Procession), Santa Bàrbara, 5.

The image of Sant Bartomeu will remain on display in the site designated by this year's Standard-bearer.

 

Entrance of the graller musicians

12 noon

The different ensembles will perform their pieces in homage to the founders of the Annual Festival. The following sacaire and graller musicians will participate (by order of appearance): Joan Olarte, Filibusters, Colla Bon Vent, La Sitja, Escola de Grallers de Sitges and Marcets. 

Route: Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Major and Pl. Ajuntament.

 

Lighting of the 21 canonballs and bell tolling

2 pm, La Fragata

By the Grup d’Estudis Sitgetans on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary.

Event with fireworks

 

Sardanes

2 pm, Cap de la Vila

The Cobla Sitgetana band will perform the sardanes La processó de Sant Bartomeu by Antoni Català i Vidal and La Festa Major by Enric Morera i Viura.

 

Departure of the entremesos festive figures and folk dances

Approx. 2.05 pm, Pl. Ajuntament

Once the last canonball has exploded, passacaglia with the Giants, Big-Heads, Dragon, Eagle, Devils, Stick dancers, Hoop dancers, Tambourine players, Little Shepherds, Ribbons, Gypsies and the Moixiganga, accompanied by the Agrupació Musical Suburband.  At Cap de la Vila, the Moixiganga will be performed in its entirety.

Route: Pl. Ajuntament, Major and Cap de la Vila.

Event with fireworks

 

Display of the entremesos festive figures and performance of the spoken dances

2.45 pm, Hort de Can Falç 3 pm, Hospital Sant Joan Baptista

Display of the entremesos festive figures and folk dances at Hort de Can Falç in honour of the authorities and city residents, and at the Hospital in honour of the residents and audience. The Giants, Big-Heads and Dragon will perform at both sites, as well as the three Ball de Diables groups performing the dance with verses. The Dragon will only offer verses at Hort de Can Falç. The other groups will be divided between the two sites.

Event with fireworks

 

Evening with the Lola Van

5.30 to 9.30 pm, La Plaça (La Torreta)

The Lola Van, a Volkswagen T2 from 1974 transformed into a deluxe DJ booth on wheels, is stopping at the Annual Festival to liven up Sant Bartomeu Eve.

 

Human tower performance on Sant Bartomeu Eve

6 pm, Cap de la Vila

With the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

 

Civic procession

7 pm, starting from the house of the president of the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Municipal Commission, Xavier Salmerón i Carbonell

Folk dances, entremesos festive figures, musicians and authorities, accompanied by the Agrupació Musical Suburband, will collect the Sant Bartomeu Tabernacle at C. Santa Bàrbara, no. 5, the site designated by Joan Pros i Borràs, the Standard-bearer of Sant Bartomeu 2025, and accompany it to Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church.

Route: Illes Balears, 9, Aragó, Corraló de Can Pau Xic, Sant Honorat, Emili Picó, Jesús, Ànimes, Sant Isidre, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Espalter, Santa Barbara, Parc de Can Bóta, Mossèn Joan Llopis Pi, Plaça del Pou Vedre, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major, Pl. Ajuntament and Baluard. When it arrives, the dancers will welcome the image of Sant Bartomeu accompanied by the authorities, the Standard-bearer and accordion players. The image will be placed in the presbytery to preside over the liturgical acts on the feast day.

Event with fireworks

 

 

Fire Castle

11 pm, Punta, Fragata and Espigons

Apotheosic Fire Castle by Pirotècnia Igual.

Event with fireworks

 

Calm Fire Castle

11 pm, Pg. de la Ribera in front of Pic-Nic restaurant by the sea

During the fireworks show, an area with chairs will be set up where attendees can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine. Capacity is limited. We recommend reserving a ticket in advance at the Commission Stall, Llibreria Universal (Pg. Vilanova, 19) and Papereria La Tribu (Sant Bartomeu, 1). €5 contribution. People with reduced mobility should also book a spot in advance at the aforementioned locations.

In collaboration with La Sitgetana Craftbeer.

Event with fireworks

 

Descent of the folk dances down the La Punta stairs

Once the Fire Castle is over, there will be a parade along the La Punta stairs and Passeig de la Ribera to the Monument to El Greco, then returning to Carrer Nou.

Event with fireworks

 

Sant Bartomeu eve

Starting at midnight, Cap de la Vila. Sardana dancing with Cobla Sitgetana.

From 12.30 am to early morning, Pg. de la Ribera. Dance with performances by the cover bands Waikiki and Bulma Beat DJ.

 

Sunday 24 August. Sant Bartomeu festival

Joyful and festive morning

6 am, Pl. Ajuntament

Passacaglia with folk dances, entremesos festive figures and musicians. Anyone who wishes may join the passada de faixes.  All you have to do is dress in white with traditional espadrilles and wear a cummerbund. Following tradition, the Commission and its guests associated with the Festival are gifted flowers.

Route: Pl. Ajuntament, Baluard, Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Espalter, Pl. Pou Vedre, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major and Ajuntament.

In collaboration with Forn 9, Celler Can Pagès and Forns Enrich.

Event with fireworks

 

Official Mass in honour of the Patron Saint of Sitges

10.30 am, Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church. Celebrated by Msgr. Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, Rector of the parish church.

This year the offertory of the Colla Jove del Ball de Bastons de Sitges, on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, will make the offering to our Patron Saint on behalf of the entire town. When mass is over, goigs songs to the saint sung by the Cor dels Amics de l’Orgue and veneration of the saint.

 

Exit from Mass

After mass, from El Baluard to Pl. Ajuntament

Musical parade featuring the Agrupació Musical Suburband, which will accompany the authorities to City Hall. At that point, the dancers and their respective musicians will all perform at the same time, along with Cobla Maricel and La Banda. After the performance of the dances and the entremesos festive figures, La Banda will perform Els Segadors, Catalonia's national anthem.

Event with fireworks

 

Human tower-building at the Exit from Mass

When the Exit from Mass is over, P. Ajuntament

With the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

 

Sant Bartomeu aperitif concert

1 pm (after the Exit from Mass), the musicians arrive once the event begins.

Societat Recreativa El Retiro: featuring the Agrupació Musical Suburband.

Casino Prado Suburense: featuring the Cobla Maricel.

 

Evening with the Lola Van

5 to 7.30 pm, and 8.45 to 11.15 pm, La Plaça (la Torreta) 

The Lola Van will make us dance and shake in La Plaça before the start of the Procession and during the last few hours of Sant Bartomeu day.

 

Procession in honour of Sant Bartomeu

7.30 pm, Baluard

The Sant Bartomeu Tabernacle is taken through the streets and squares of the town, presided over by the Rector of the parish church, Msgr. Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, with the attendance of the City Council. Accompanied by folk dancers, graller musicians and the Agrupació Musical Suburband, as well as any Sitges residents who want to join it. The parish umbraculum and the Sant Bartomeu Tabernacle are carried by the Cos de Portants de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla. Joan Pros i Borràs, designated the Standard-bearer of the Flag of Sant Bartomeu, will be accompanied by the accordeon players Mr Joan Pros i Mirabent and Mr Xavier Canals i Pedrol.

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci (no traffic allowed), Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, Pg. de la Ribera, Nou, Major, Pl. Ajuntament and Baluard. Before the Procession proceeds along the Passeig, the Cobla Sitgetana will perform several sardanes. Next, Els Gegants de Sitges by master Tomàs Gil and La Processó de Sant Bartomeu by master Antoni Català i Vidal will be played. The patron saint of the town is greeted with salvos of little cannonballs and tolling bells when the religious procession goes along the Passeig.

Event with fireworks

 

 

Sant Bartomeu's entrance into the parish church

When the procession reaches El Baluard, the dancers and musicians surround the tabernacle to pay their last homage to our patron saint, while fireworks go off and the bells toll. Next, inside the church is the closing prayer.

Event with fireworks

 

Final dance of the Fire Beasts and the Giants

Final dance in front of City Hall to conclude the traditional activities until Santa Tecla.

Event with fireworks

 

End-of-festivities evening

Starting at midnight, Pg. de la Ribera

Dance with the techno-rumba of Habla de Mí en Presente and the cover band Brou.

 

Monday 25 August. Sant Lli

Sant Lli aperitif

11.30 am, El Retiro Gardens

Traditional aperitif with the best music and local DJs. Capacity is limited.

Organiser: Societat Recreativa El Retiro.

 

Mass in honour of the deceased of our town

7.30 pm, Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church

We remember those who have experienced the Festival with us. We pray that they live in everlasting joy.

 

Sant Bartomeu Catalan shawm and organ concert

9 pm, Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church

Featuring Marià Franco (Catalan shawm) and Francesc Pi (organ). Donations welcome.

 

Orquestra Venus

9.30 pm, Pl. de la Ribera

The largest concert and dance orchestra in Catalonia makes a stop in Sitges with its classic repertoire from the country's annual festivals.

 

Tuesday 26 August

Museus de Sitges open days

10 am to 7 pm, Museu del Cau Ferrat and Museu de Maricel. 10 am to 2 pm, Sala Vaixells (Palau Maricel)

Exhibition The Praise of Drawing. The Manuel Puig Collection.

Organiser: Museus de Sitges

 

Children’s folk games and conclusion of the Let's Paint the Festival mural

6 to 8.30 pm, La Plaça (Miramar Centre Cultural)

Closing teatime for the collective mural Let's Paint the Festival and children's games Xics del Xurrac, the first human tower-building group to come out of a carpentry workshop.

In collaboration with Gelats Frigo.

 

Closing evening of sardanes

10.15 pm, Sant Sebastià beach

With the Cobla Maricel. Savour coca flatbread and moscatell wine. At the end, we bid Sant Bartomeu farewell with a small Fire Castle.

In collaboration with Celler Can Pagès and Forns Enrich.

Event with fireworks

 

Sunday 31 August

Sant Bartomeu human castle exhibition

6 pm, Pl. Ajuntament

Display featuring the Minyons de Terrassa, the Nens del Vendrell and the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

Organiser: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.