The Santa Eulàlia Route is back! Together with the Joan Amadeus Cultural Association, you will walk around the points in the city where the legend of Santa Eulàlia originated. Accompanied by live music, a guide will take you on a tour to discover all the areas in Barcelona related to the history of the saint.

All reservations are booked.

Group 1, on 9 February at 6.30 pm

Group 2, on 9 February at 7 pm

Group 3, on 11 February at 5.30 pm

Group 4, on 11 February at 6 pm

Route: Plaça de Sant Jaume, Carrer de Jaume I, Plaça de l’Àngel, Carrer de l’Argenteria, Carrer dels Sombrerers, Placeta de Montcada, Passeig del Born, Carrer de Santa Maria, Fossar de les Moreres and Plaça de Santa Maria.

8.40 pm: honours of the Coronela de Barcelona and Trabucaires in the Fossar de les Moreres.

9 pm: entry into the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica with the Marxa de l’Àliga de la Ciutat (March of the City Eagle). Dance of the City Eagle in the Basilica.

The City Eagle will leave through the doors of the City Hall to head the first procession in Barcelona’s winter festa major, ending with one of the most moving and important acts of the Santa Eulàlia Festivities: the traditional Dance of the Eagle in the presbytery and before the high altar of the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica. 

The Protocols de l’Àliga (Eagle Protocols) procession, consisting of the Coronela de Barcelona militia, the Espremulls Minstrels, the Lion of Barcelona, the Santa Maria del Mar Giants and the Perot Rocaguinarda Trabucaires (blunderbuss troupe) will parade solemnly through the streets, filling them with festivities and celebrations, announcing the start of the festival.

The stick dancers will be hitting hard once more for Santa Eulàlia! The first mention of the stick dance, widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and Europe, comes from Catalonia in 1150. Since then it has become well consolidated in the city, with various groups in different neighbourhoods and districts who you can see in action at the winter festa major.

The stick dancer groups of Barcelona will be meeting in the Avinguda de la Catedral (10 am) to start a day of dance exhibition. They will not be alone, as this year they will be joined by the Pla de l’Aigua Stick Dancer group from Lleida, the Dance del Rabal group from Zaragoza and the Ball de les Gitanes from Vilafranca. The streets will then be filled with music, accompanied by the sounds of the sticks beating together in a street parade, a great chance to see the stick dances and guests in movement in Plaça Nova, Carrer de la Palla, Carrer dels Banys Nous, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

On arriving in the square, the stick dancer groups will gift us their last dances, making the earth shake in Plaça de Sant Jaume!

The sardana youth dancers will be meeting in Plaça de Sant Jaume to dance to the fresh, innovative sound of the Cobla Contemporània sardana orchestra. If you are among the new generations of sardana dancers, be sure not to miss this annual gathering!

Route: Plaça dels Àngels, Carrer d’Elisabets, Carrer del Bonsuccés, La Rambla, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

The “geganton” lesser giants, “capgrossos” (big-heads), “cuques” (insects), beasts and “cavallets” (little horses) of the festival groups and schools of Barcelona will be dancing together through the city’s streets, headed by the “gegantona” Laia.

The Giants of the City will preside over the arrival of the figures into Plaça de Sant Jaume and offer their dance as a reminder that, as the poet Joan Maragall said, the Giants of the City belong to Barcelona’s children. 

Santa Eulàlia is the city’s small festa major, in which children play the leading role. Consequently, the children’s sections of the Barcelona traditional and popular Catalan dance groups (esbarts) will be taking centre stage and celebrating their dance. The 20 city traditional dance groups will offer a variety of dances performed by their youngest members.

The exhibition will be held on two separate days. On Saturday, you can see dances by the Esbart Sant Martí, Esbart Maragall, Esbart Ciutat Comtal and Esbart Català de Dansaires groups. Sunday will be the turn of the Esbart Joventut Nostra, Esbart Vila de Gràcia, Esbart Sant Jordi and Ballets de Catalunya groups.

Looking forward to seeing them dance?

With the Esbart Santa Eulàlia traditional dance group and the Cobla Maricel sardana orchestra

Enjoy a modern interpretation of the Santa Eulàlia Dance with Esbart Santa Eulàlia, accompanied by the Cobla Sant Jordi-Ciutat de Barcelona sardana orchestra.

Route: Plaça Reial, Passatge de Colom, La Rambla, Carrer de Ferran, Plaça de Sant Jaume and Plaça de Sant Miquel (ending at 5.45 pm).

Experience a mass drum session, filling the streets of the Gothic Quarter with rhythm and sound! The drummers of the fire devils and beast groups will be meeting in Plaça Reial to celebrate the 9th Drummers’ Gathering. Their thundering beats will evoke the heartbeat of Santa Eulàlia! 

Would you like to see traditional dances? The Esbart Català de Dansaires traditional and popular Catalan dance group, the oldest in Catalonia, have prepared a performance of their dances, with musical accompaniment from the Cobla Sant Jordi-Ciutat de Barcelona sardana orchestra. 

With dozens of traditional dances interpreted in their performances, this dance group takes us on a tour of the country with dances from every spot. It also keeps the Catalan Traditional Dance Archive, with information on hundreds of dances collected over the years. 

In 2010 it received the Creu de Sant Jordi award from the Generalitat de Catalunya, and in 2012 it received the City of Barcelona award in the field of popular culture.

Prepare for a journey through dance!

Route: Plaça de Sant Jaume, Carrer de Ferran, La Rambla, Passatge de Colom and Plaça Reial.

When the veil of darkness descends on the city of Barcelona, the children’s and young people’s devil and beast groups will emerge from the City Hall, proving that Santa Eulàlia is the most youthful festival in the city! 

They will fill the following route with rockets and sparks: Plaça de Sant Jaume, Carrer de Ferran, La Rambla, Passatge de Colom and Plaça Reial, finishing at 7 pm.

Although the children’s fire run is aimed especially at smaller children, it is not completely free of risk:

• Be sure to wear long-sleeved cotton clothing covering the whole body. Suitable footwear should be worn for when you need to run.
• Take care of children and ensure they are a safe distance from the fire.
• If the fire run goes past your home or shop, roll back the awnings, cover your windows and close your shutters.
• And remember, follow the instructions of the stewards, so you can enjoy a safer festival!

The Bella Quirze Band was formed about 20 years ago as a Parents’ Association activity at the El Turonet public school in Sant Quirze del Vallès, when a group of parents and teachers started to rehearse some of the gospel pieces for a performance at the end of year party. Later, the group incorporated the singers of the Gòspel de Bellaterra, which led to the birth of the Bella Quirze Band. The current director of the choir is Lourdes Garcia Espinal.

The New Gospel choir was created in 2009, under the guidance of the Gòspel l’Hospitalet Music Association and under the direction of Manel García Sepúlveda. New Gospel currently has 35 singers, and since 2019 has been directed by Verónica Marín. Accompanied on the piano by Abel Coll, the choir will be offering an innovative performance with incursions into soul and funk.

This choral concert is organised by the Barcelona branch of the Catalan Federation of Choral Groups. The federation includes more than 140 choral groups and this year they’ll be presenting two gospel groups with really entertaining repertoires.

Route: Plaça Reial, Passatge de Colom, La Rambla (ascending), Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume (ending at 8.45 pm).

The last light of the day fades away and night descends over the city streets; fire beasts and devils gather in Plaça Reial... When the first beat of the drum sounds and the beasts begin to draw fire from their teeth, the Santa Eulàlia Fire Run has begun! Moving to the deafening beat of the drums, driving them into the streets to fill them with fire, sparks and smoke, the Dragon, She-dragon, Mulassa, Ox, Harrier and Dolphin will dance among flames with the Kinta Forka, Gothic Quarter and Tarascaire devils.

Once in the Plaça de Sant Jaume, the participating festival groups will perform a jaw-dropping show of thunder and fire, marking the end of the fire run.

Enjoy the fire festival, a feast for your senses with drums, the smell of gunpowder and the light of the sparks.

PLEASE NOTE:

The fire festival is one of the most entertaining events of the Santa Eulàlia celebrations but it is important to take every precaution. If you wish to participate, don’t forget that:

• You will need cover your head, wear a neckerchief and long sleeves and trousers. Always wear clothes made from cotton and not from synthetic materials. You should wear comfortable footwear so that you can run when necessary.
• Be particularly careful if you are with small children and keep a safe distance from the fire. Don’t let children hold hands and remember there is a special fire run for kids, with fewer fireworks.
• If the fire run goes past your home or shop, roll up the awnings, cover your windows and close your shutters.
• No alcohol or glass: while the fire run is taking place, avoid alcohol. And if you are carrying a drink, make sure it is not in a glass bottle or cup. Broken glass is dangerous.
• Do not forget that the fire run is a lot of fun, but if you do not follow the basic safety rules, it can also be dangerous. Join in the festival but enjoy it sensibly!
• Remember to always follow the instructions of the stewards, who will be well identified.

This year marks the commemoration of the bicentenary of the birth of the musician, poet and journalist Josep Anselm Clavé. For this reason, the Federació de Cors de Clavé (Clavé Choirs Federation) has prepared a year of celebrations, with the first major event to be held during the Santa Eulàlia festivities.

The Group Sau 30 will be joining the Coral Cantanna de Vic and La Veu de Voltregà choirs in a magical concert to revisit and sing their greatest hits with Pep Sala and the group, merging choral singing and rock while paying tribute to Carles Sabater, to inaugurate the 2024 Clavé Bicentenary. 

On Saturday 10, in Plaça de Sant Jaume, they will be waiting to perform songs for you, such as El tren de mitjanit, Ningú ens mourà d’aquí, Envia’m un àngel and, of course, Boig per tu. 

Let the Clavé Bicentenary begin!

Eulàlia, the show that pays homage to the life of Santa Eulàlia and explains her martyrdoms, has reached its tenth edition. The Esbart Ciutat Comtal traditional dance group will reveal the legend of the saint through music and dance in the idyllic setting of Barcelona Cathedral, in front of the crypt where her relics lie. Exalting the values of liberty, equality and justice, the esbart will reveal the figure of Santa Eulàlia.

With the choreographer Lluís Calduch and music by the composer Francesc Cassú, Eulàlia recreates the life of the saint from her profession to her crucifixion, including the martyrdoms inflicted on her, through dance sequences, gestural interpretation and choreographic compositions whose reference is the folklore and religious manifestations of Catalan popular culture.

The gralla players in the popular culture groups of Barcelona will be waking the neighbours to the sound of the Morning Call, announcing the celebrations of the winter festa major. Wake up! Streets full of festivities await you.

Street parade: 10 am

Route: Plaça Nova, Carrer del Bisbe and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

The Falcons de Barcelona will once again be flying for Santa Eulàlia! With their amazing structures, the Falcons will be reaching the city’s skies, with human constructions that defy balance and gravity. The Falcons first performed for the Santa Eulàlia Festivities in 2003 and, over 20 years later, they continue to amaze the Barcelona public with their spectacular performances. 

Their street parade will start in Plaça Nova, then head towards Plaça de Sant Jaume. However, first they visit Carrer del Bisbe, stopping in front of the Santa Eulàlia door of the Cathedral cloister, where they will build a figure in honour of the patron saint. On reaching Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Falcons will amaze the public with their classic human figures, while the group often likes to innovate and take risks to offer new figures.

The puntaires, or lacemakers, will be coming to Carrer dels Arcs and Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel! Hailing from all over Catalonia, they keep this tradition alive, to the sound of the thousands of wooden bobbins that move with their mastery. Come and see how cushions, threads, bobbins, patterns and needles come together to make bobbin lace, a key activity in the Catalan textile industry between the 18th and mid 20th centuries.

11.30 pm: start of the Seguici (procession).

12.15 pm: Baixada de Santa Eulàlia. Santa Eulàlia dance by the Plaça Nova New Giants and wreath-laying ceremony.

1.15 pm: Plaça de Sant Jaume. Dances by the “gegantona” lesser giant Laia, the City Eagle, the City Giants and the Dance of Santa Eulàlia by the Plaça Nova New Giants.

Route: Plaça Reial, Passatge de Colom, La Rambla, Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Plaça de la Cucurulla, Carrer dels Boters, Plaça Nova, Carrer del Bisbe, Carrer de Sant Sever, Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, Carrer dels Banys Nous, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume (at around 12.45 pm).

The “gegantona” Laia and the Santa Eulàlia banner will lead the street parade, followed by the “Seguici Popular” (popular procession), consisting of the City Giants, the “Cavallets Cotoners” (little horses), the Eagle, Lion, Mulassa mule, Ox, Dragon, She-dragon, Tarasca dragon, Pi Giants, Santa Maria del Mar Giants, Seguici stick dance and the Falcons de Barcelona. Next come the giants, dwarfs and lesser giants from the Barcelona neighbourhoods and regions of Catalonia, gathered in Plaça Reial.

The street parade will take all the festive elements to Plaça de Sant Jaume, along emblematic streets such as Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, where the Plaça Nova New Giants will offer their dance to the patron saint. At 1.15 pm, Laia’s dance, the dance of the Eagle and of the City Giants, and the dance of Santa Eulàlia, performed by the Plaça Nova New Giants, will close this, the oldest and one of the most solemn events of the winter festa major. Held since 1983, it was the seed of the current Santa Eulàlia Festivities.

Human towers will be returning to reach up to the roof of the city! The eight Barcelona Castellers (human tower builder) groups are all ready to raise their towers in the middle of Plaça de Sant Jaume, in the old town. In 60 minutes, the groups will create all their towers simultaneously.

Come to the square to join in and encourage the Barcelona, Sants, Vila de Gràcia, Poble Sec, Sagrada Família, la Jove de Barcelona, Sarrià and the Esquerdats of Esquerra de l’Eixample human tower builders. All together we will see the towers once again reach the sky!

Enjoy the sound of the Cobla Mediterrània and Cobla Ciutat de Terrassa sardana orchestras and join in the circles. The Sardana season starts with Santa Eulàlia!

Route: Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, Carrer de la Boqueria, Volta de Santa Eulàlia, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Under the morning light of Santa Eulàlia’s Day, the “gegantona” lesser giant Laia will leave the Palau de la Virreina to head towards Plaça de Sant Jaume. Dancing in the city streets, she will make a stop in Volta de Santa Eulàlia, where the saint suffered her martyrdoms, to dedicate a dance to the sound of her own song. Once in the square, Laia will stand in front of the City Hall balcony, where the mayor will greet her and pay homage to the banner of Santa Eulàlia.

The saint’s day will start with the mayor and the municipal corporation of Barcelona hanging of the Santa Eulàlia banner on the City Hall balcony. The hymn Els Segadors will be sung and the “gegantona” lesser giant Laia will offer her traditional dance to the corporation. The Santa Eulàlia banner will hang throughout the day.

Concert venue: streets of the Gothic quarter

The carillon of the Palau de la Generalitat will be filling the streets of the Gothic quarter with music, with a festive concert to mark the Santa Eulàlia Festivities.

Courtesy of Anna Maria Reverter, we’ll be able to hear the Goigs de Santa Eulàlia, by Joan Salvat. Following this will be the Ball de Santa Eulàlia, which over the course of the festive period will be heard various times in Plaça de Sant Jaume and on La Baixada. And the concert will end with Engrunes, by R. Lamote de Grignon, a work made up of twelve short pieces. 

The concert programme may be amended for reasons of force majeure.

As the poet Joan Maragall said: “The sardana is the most beautiful of all the dances that are done and undone”. What better way to say farewell to the festa major than dancing to the music of the Cobla Sant Jordi – Ciutat de Barcelona sardana orchestra, which, as is traditional, will delight us with their melodies in the afternoon of Santa Eulàlia’s Day.

The dancing ends when the giantesses enter the square, but you can carry on listening to the cobla during the last dances of the festivities. 

Route: Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, Plaça del Pi and Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.

7 pm: placing the giantesses

7.30 pm: Walk of the Laias

Route: Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol, Carrer del Pi, Plaça de la Cucurulla, Carrer dels Boters, Plaça Nova, Carrer del Bisbe, Carrer de Sant Sever, Baixada de Santa Eulàlia (wreath-laying ceremony and Santa Eulàlia Dance, at around 7.50 pm), Carrer de Banys Nous, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume (Santa Eulàlia Dance at 8.25 pm)

On Santa Eulàlia’s Day, all the giantesses of Barcelona adopt the name Laia for the most moving and significant acts of the festivities. When the city’s skies are cloaked in darkness, the giantesses that have been on exhibition during the days before the festa dance out of the doors of the Palau de la Virreina to meet up in Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol. After waiting a while under the magical light of the square, they will start a procession head by the “gegantona” lesser giantess Laia and the Laias of Plaça Nova and Plaça del Pi, followed by the other Laias, with the City Giantess bringing up the tail of the retinue. 

When the parade reaches Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, the walk will stop in front of the image of the patron saint to lay a wreath in her honour. The “grallas” players will play the Santa Eulàlia Dance, and Laia and Laieta, the Giantesses Villa and Nova of Place Nova will do their dance surrounded by the balconies and chapel of the narrow street.

In Plaça de Sant Jaume, once all the giants have paraded under the Santa Eulàlia banner hanging from the City Hall balcony, the Place Nova Giantesses will once again perform their dance. However, this time, it will be accompanied by the long version, played by the Cobla Sant Jordi-Ciutat de Barcelona sardana orchestra in the middle of the square, reaching its final climax and excitement of the end of the festivities, in which all the giantesses join in the last part of the dance, the moment when we can see all the Laias dancing in honour of the patron saint.