Festivals
Sitges Festa Major
Sant Bartomeu in August and Santa Tecla in September: the two town festivals of Sitges, with giants, dragons, devils, street parades and fireworks over the sea.
When it is
August
Sant Bartomeu: 23 and 24
The two main days of the Festa Major. In 2026 the programme started on 19 August with warm-up events.
September
Santa Tecla: 22 and 23
The “small” Festa Major, where children take centre stage. In 2026 events ran from 18 to 23 September.
2027
Same dates
The festivals follow the saints’ days, not the day of the week. The official programme comes out each summer.
Sources: Sitges Town Council (sitges.cat) and the official Festa Major website (sitgesfestamajor.cat).
Sant Bartomeu, in August
23 August · 2 pm
Sortida de les Dues
Mortar blasts at La Fragata, then the first street parade with the folk dances, the giants and the fire beasts.
23 August · 11 pm
Castell de focs
Fireworks along the seafront: La Punta, the breakwaters and La Fragata. In 2026 the display was adapted to protect the newly restored church.
23 August · night
Revetlla
Sardanes at midnight at the Cap de la Vila and dancing on the Passeig de la Ribera until dawn.
24 August · morning
Matinal
The festival groups parade through town at first light. In 2026 it left the Plaça de l’Ajuntament at 7.15 am.
24 August · evening
Processó
The Sant Bartomeu procession, with gralla players, folk dances and fire through the old town.
Sources: Sitges Town Council, “Sitges presenta la Festa Major del 2026”; Eix Diari (2026 fireworks); sitgesfestamajor.cat.
Santa Tecla, in September
Nit del Foc
Fire run and music
In 2026 it was on Saturday 19 September, with music at 11 pm at La Fragata.
Children’s day
The little ones’ parade
Giants, big-heads and the children’s devil groups, who performed at La Fragata around 12.30 pm on 20 September 2026.
22 September
Eve of the feast
Mortar blasts fired by local schools and fireworks over the sea at night.
23 September
Children’s Matinal and procession
In the morning children dance the Cintes; in the evening, the Santa Tecla procession through the old town.
Sources: Sitges Town Council, “Sitges presenta la Festa Major del 2026”; sitgesfestamajor.cat. Times change every year: check the official programme.
Practical information
Accessibility
A festival for everyone
Vibrating vests for deaf people, sign language at several events, wheelchair areas (register at tradicionsifestes@sitges.cat) and 120 m “calm” stretches.
Fireworks
Advance warnings
The Town Council warns before fire events, including owners of pets registered in the local census.
Heat
Water and shade
In August drinking-water fountains are set up and you are advised to keep hydrated during the parades.
Violències 0,0
Zero tolerance
A council campaign against sexist violence at Sitges festivals.
Full programme and news on sitgesfestamajor.cat. Festivals office (Regidoria de Tradicions i Festes): +34 93 811 76 47. Coming by car? See parking in Sitges, and after the fireworks, Sitges by night.
Source: Sitges Town Council (Festa Major 2026 accessibility and safety plan). Accessed 13/10/2026.
A little background
The Government of Catalonia lists the Sitges Festa Major in its Catalogue of Festive Heritage as a heritage festival of national interest. Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla are the town’s two patron saints, and the church on the Punta is named after both.
The 2026 poster, by Kàtia Plana Salesas, paid tribute to the unsung people who make the festival happen: the 36 groups of seamstresses and dressmakers, the giants’ hairdressers, the kitchens, the council work crews and the health services.
Sources: sitgesfestamajor.cat; Sitges Town Council (Festa Major 2026 presentation).