Barcelona is getting ready to celebrate the traditional Festes de Santa Eulalia with an expanded program of cultural, musical, and popular activities that will fill the city streets with the spirit of the winter festival. The festivities will run from Friday, February 7 to Wednesday, February 12, combining history, tradition, and popular culture in a tribute to the city. The image on this year’s poster is the work of Marc Pallalaès.
The celebration kicks off at Plaça de Sant Jaume on Friday, February 7. At 6:30 p.m., the municipal music schools will provide a varied repertoire with performances by Combo Miles Davis (Emm Sant Andreu), Combo Quincy Jones (Emm Sant Andreu), Latin jazz band (EMM eixample), and Grand Band (EMM EIXAMPLE). Then at 8:00 p.m., the emblematic Eagles’ Protocols will lead a solemn procession to the City Hall Eagle, accompanied by the coroner of Barcelona and other historical and festive figures. The procession will end at the Basilica Santa Maria del Mar, where, at 9:00 p.m., the traditional Eagle Dance will take place.
Simultaneously, the moors will be the scene of the Eulalian Route, with guided tours exploring the history of the city. The day will close with concerts by Tradicionàrius featuring Sonsoni at 8:15 p.m. and Germà Negre at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 8, will be a busy day with morning activities. At 10 a.m., Plaça de Sant Jaume will host the Gangs Stick event at Plaça Nova. There will also be a meeting of children’s sardana groups with contemporary COBLA. A parade of school giants at 11:00 a.m. at the commercial market of Plaça Sant Jaume will be followed by a parade of children’s giants at 4:00 p.m. The evening will feature the Santa Eulalia Correfoc starting at Plaça Reial at 8:00 p.m. and ending with a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. in Sant Jaume Square.
Sunday, February 9, will feature Castlelera Day of Santa Eulalia, with Castellers groups performing at Plaça de Sant Jaume from 11:30 a.m. The day will also include Giants, Dancing Dances, and the Final Dance of the Sardanas, with various Castellers groups participating. The day will culminate in a special parade celebrating the 650th anniversary of the City Eagle.
The solemn closing of the Santa Eulalia celebrations will take place on Wednesday, February 12, with the Eagle Location Penon event at 10:15 a.m. at Plaça Sant Jaume, followed by Carillon Audience at the Palau de Generalitit and Sardana Dance with Cobla Sant Jordi – La Ciutat de Barcelona at 6:00 p.m. The festivities will conclude with the Laies Parade featuring giants and a fireworks show at 8:25 p.m. in Plaça de Sant Jaume.
As is tradition, many city facilities will have open doors during the winter festival, including the Barcelona City Council, which can be visited on Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as various museums in the city. Barcelona.cat/santatulaalia.
Program and images.
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