Festa Majors in Maresme
Festa Majors in Maresme are great cultural and festive events and pretty much every town or village in Maresme celebrates one. They hold immense importance in preserving cultural heritage, fostering community spirit, and celebrating each town’s unique characteristics. They serve as a reminder of the past while contributing to the vibrancy and cohesion of present-day communities. Many Festa Majors in Maresme are associated with religious celebrations honouring the patron saint of the town. These religious elements add spiritual significance to the festivities, and they often include processions, religious ceremonies, and other devotional practices.
The influx of visitors boosts the local economy, benefitting businesses such as restaurants, hotels, artisans, and traders who set up stalls during the festival. The events bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community. Residents actively participate in organising and participating in various activities and events, strengthening social bonds and promoting a sense of belonging.
They are also an essential means of passing on traditions and cultural practices to younger generations. In a rapidly changing world, these festivals help keep local customs alive and relevant, ensuring they are not lost to time. Families who have moved out from their hometowns often return just to celebrate the Festa Majors in Maresme which are generally marked by different gastronomic offerings, parades, firework displays, sports competitions, different activities, workshops, music, theatre and dance.
JANUARY
Festa Major d’Hivern d’Argentona
The winter Festa Major celebratingSant Julià takes place in the second week of January. Find more information here
Festa Major d’Hivern de Sant Vicenç de Montalt
The most traditional and emblematic event of this Festa Major is the popular escudellada. The programme also includes plenty of family entertainment and culminates in the celebration of the patron saint Sant Vicenç on January 22nd. Find more information here
Festa Major d’Hivern de Sant Vicenç a Vallromanes
Vallromanes offers a full programme of cultural events, music and sports activities for all ages from mid to late January. Don’t miss the wine and cheese market and the correfoc to close the festivities. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Pau a Sant Pol de Mar
The origins of this festival date back to Medieval times. Festivities take place on the weekend closest to January 25th. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Vicenç a Cabrera de Mar
This winter festival combines tradition, culture and fun with shows and concerts and the very popular botifarrada. You can also take part in the popular race ‘La Santvi, Trail del Senglar’ with 10, 15 and 21km routes for adults and 400 and 800m races for children. This Festa Major takes place the weekend closest to January 22nd. Find more information here
FEBRUARY
Festa Major d’Hivern de Premià de Mar
The February winter festival for Premià de Mar coincides with the weekend of Carnestoltes. Find more information here
APRIL
Festa Major of Sant Jordi de Montgat
This Festa Major takes place around April 23rd. The festival kicks off with the traditional Popular Walk organised by the Neighbourhood Association of Les Mallorquines. Find more information here
Festa Major Petita de Palafolls
This small festa major celebrating the arrival of Spring takes place in early April and includes performances by the Municipal School of Music and Dance. Find more information here
Festa Major dels Sant Màrtirs a Vilassar de Dalt
The festa major which takes place at the end of April welcomes the return of good weather. Find more information here
MAY
Festa Major de la Santa Creu de Cabrils
This Festa Major takes place around 3rd May. You can enjoy a varied programme of cultural, recreational, and traditional activities, organised in collaboration with various local associations. Find more information here
JUNE
Festa Major Petita de Sant Antoni de Tiana
Tiana celebrates Sant Antoni on 13th June 13th each year. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Quirze i Santa Julita de Calella
The most important day of this festa major is 16th June when Santa Julita is honoured. In the days leading up to this the town is filled with concerts and shows with the Calella Impuls Festival. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Joan de Montgat
Celebrated in mid June with trade and craft fairs, children’s workshops, live music, human towers, a craft beer fair, a parade of the gegants the festa major of Montgat has something for everyone. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Joan de Vilassar de Mar
This festa in Vilassar de Mar takes place the closest weekend to the 23rd and 24th of June. It welcomes the summer and celebrates the local patron saint. Each year the town is divided into three sectors and houses and streets are decorated in blue, green and orange. Find more information here
Festa Major de Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt’s festa major celebrates Sant Pere towards the end of June with a programme of activities to suit all ages. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Pere de El Masnou
This festa major takes place around 29th June. Watch out for the gastronomy fair which takes place simultaneously. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Pere i Sant Pau a Canet de Mar
Sant Pere is celebrated on 29th June with music concerts, dances and fireworks. Find more information here
JULY
Sant Zenon, Festa Major d’Arenys de Mar
Lots of music events and traditional dances to be enjoyed at this festa major celebrated in early July. Find more information here
Festa Major de Premià de Mar
The festa major of Premià de Mar takes place the weekend closest to 10th July and lasts five days. Find more information here
Festa Major de la Minerva a Sant Andreu de Llavaneres
This festa major takes place in early to mid July and is a great chance to sample local cuisine with a gastronomic market and food trucks. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Jaume de Sant Pol de Mar
Celebrated on the weekend closest to the 25th July with family shows, dances and concerts, the correfoc, parade of the gegants and activities related to the sea and fishing. Find more information here
Les Santes, Festa Mayor de Mataró
There’s over 100 events to enjoy at Mataró’s festa major which takes place mid to late July. Find more information here
Emplaça’t, Festa Major de Sant Feliu de Cabrera de Mar
Enjoy the procession of the gegants, folkloric dances and the correfoc at this festa major which takes place at the end of July and the beginning of August. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Nin i Sant Non de Òrrius
This Festa Major takes place on the last weekend of July. Find more information here
AUGUST
Festa Major de Sant Feliu de Alella
The patron saint of Alella is celebrated on 1st August. Along with traditional events such as the correfoc, parade of the gegants and a firework display, music and dance are also an important part of the programme. Find more information here
Emplaça’t, La Festa Major de Cabrera de Mar
All the usual traditional celebrations here at the beginning of August. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Iscle de Vallalta
Three days of activities and fun celebrated over the weekend closest to 1st August 1st. Find more information here
Festa Major d’Estiu de Sant Vicenç de Montalt
In early to mid August, Sant Vicenç de Montalt’s celebrations are in honour of the Virgin of the Assumption. Find more information here
Festa Major de Canyamars de Dosrius
This festa major takes place during the first week of August. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Domingo d’Argentona
Argentona enjoys an intense schedule of activities in honour of its patron saint Domingo. Find more information here
Festa Major de Santa Susanna
You’ll find activities for all of the family including a ribbon race and foam party, along with the traditional meeting of the gegants, castellers, and correfoc. Don’t miss the street dinners and events on the beach of Las Dunas. This festa major takes place in early August. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Roc a Malgrat de Mar
Sant Roc’s Day, 16th August, represents the culmination of the summer festival with celebrations such as speed painting competitions, beach activities, theatre, dances, and fireworks on the beach. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Roc a Arenys de Mar
On 16th August, Arenys de Mar holds celebrations in honour of Sant Roc, who freed the town from the plague in 1607. Since then, the young and unmarried boys of the town – the macips – have gone out every August 16th to reproduce the act of blessing that the saint of Montpellier performed in Arenys de Mar. Find more information here
Festa Major de Santa Helena de Cabrils
This festa major takes place around the 18th August and includes all the usual traditional festivities along with the Santa Penya awards ceremony which closes the celebrations. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sants Genís a Vilassar de Dalt
This festa major takes place in late August and is a festival that closes the festive and summer calendar in the town. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Genís a Palafolls
The festa major of Palafols, celebrating Sant Genís on 25th August is organised by Sant Genís de Palafolls Neighborhood Association with the collaboration of the City Council. Find more information here
Festa Major de Tordera
You’ll find all the traditional festivities at the festa major in Tordera, celebrated in late August. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu a Pineda de Mar
The festa major of Sant Bartomeu in Pineda de Mar takes place at the end of August. Find more information here
Festival d’Estiu de Dosrius
This summer festa major is celebrated the weekend closest to the 1st September. Find more information website
SEPTEMBER
Festa Major de Caldes d’Estrac
The festa major in Caldes d’Estrac is celebrated around the 8th September. Find more information here
Festivitat de la Mare de Déu de la Misericòrdia i la Festa Major Petita de Canet de Mar
The Festa Major Petita is held in honour of Our Lady of Mercy in early September. Along with all the traditional celebrations there’s also an artisan craft fair. Find more information
here
Festa Major de Sant Cebrià de Tiana
September 16th is Saint Cebrià, patron saint of Tiana. The festa major is celebrated for four days. Find more information here
Festa Major Petita de Sant Cebrià de Vallalt
This small Festa Major takes place in mid to late September. Find more information here
Festa Major de Can Massuet de Dosrius
This Festa Major takes place during the middle of September. Find more information here
Festa Major de la Minerva de Calella
This Festa Major takes place in mid to late September. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Cebrià de Vallalta
This Festa Major is celebrated during the last week of September. Find more information here
NOVEMBER
Festa Major de Sant Martí a Teià
Teià’s festa major is held early to mid November celebrating their patron saint Sant Martí on 11th November. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Martí de Arenys de Munt
This festa major is also celebrated around the 11th November. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Andreu de Orrius
This festa major takes place in late November. Find more information here
Festa Major d’hivern de Dosrius
This winter festival is celebrated in late November. Find more information here
Festa Major de Sant Andreu de Llavaneres
This winter celebration is always held on the weekend closest to 30th November and is a unique opportunity to sample the municipality’s culinary traditions – stuffed apples and Llavaneres coca. Find more information here
DECEMBER
Festa Major de Sant Nicolau de Malgrat de Mar
This festa major takes place in early December. Find more information here
Festa Major de Santa Llúcia de Caldes d’Estrac
This festa major takes place in mid-December. Find more information here
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