From September 13 to 28, 2025. Schedule of events for Santa Tecla Sitges 2025, the “small” Festa Major of Sitges 2025
Santa Tecla is considered the “small” Festa Major due to its more local character (in September, many tourists have already returned home and schools have started) and because children are the main protagonists, with their morning events, dance performances, and parades featuring cabezudos, gigantes, and dracs created and carried by the children. But it is also a celebration where fire plays a key role, especially during the “nit de foc”, held the weekend before Santa Tecla, with a great display of pyrotechnics and fire beasts in the old town of Sitges.
LINK TO THE SANTA TECLA SITGES PHOTO GALLERY 2025
Santa Tecla Sitges 2025 – Schedule
From September 13 to 28, 2025. Schedule of events for Santa Tecla Sitges 2025, the “small” Festa Major of Sitges 2025.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
8:00 pm – Sopar Ball de la Lira
El Retiro Gardens
Dinner, surprises, and dancing with the Loren orchestra. Tribute to members who have been loyal to the organization for 75, 50, 25, 15, and 10 years.
Pubillatge: band and sash change, presentation of the new Pubilla and Hereu.
Price: Non-members €45 / Members €35. Reservations at the organization’s office.
Organized by: Societat Recreativa El Retiro.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
12:00 pm 50th Anniversary Gathering of Colla Jove de Bastons de Sitges
Baluard
All the groups of the Bastons Dance of Sitges will take part, along with a group of veterans from Colla Jove and other groups from the region.
Route: Baluard, Town Hall Square, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jesús, Illa de Cuba, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera and Fragata Square.
Organized by: Colla Jove del Ball de Bastons de Sitges; with the collaboration of the Department of Traditions and Festivals, the Municipal Commission of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla; and the Recreational Society El Retiro.
1:00 pm Opening of the exhibition of the 13th Instagram Festa Major Photography Contest
Venue: Vermuteria La Gralla
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges. Open until September 28
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
6:00 pm – Holi Party
Can Robert Park
Organized by: Regidoria d’Infància i Joventut, in collaboration with the Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
6:00 pm – Opening of the exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Featuring the festive imagery from the Santa Tecla children’s matinal.
Registration at sitgesfestamajor.cat.
Visiting days: September 18, 19, and 20 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Also open on Saturday the 20th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
7:00 pm – Presentation of the book No t’espantis Llucifer, by Alba Gràcia i Pañella
Gardens of the Casino Prado Suburense
The book offers a look at local history over the past fifty years through the satire of the verses from the Ball de Diables and the Drac de Sitges. This work was awarded the Premi Folklore Jofre Vilà de Cultura Popular i Tradicional Sitgetana in 2019.
Organized by: Casino Prado Suburense.
22:00 h The irony, jumps and pirouettes of the Gitanes d’Antes.
Hort de Can Falç
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
Beforehand, we will enjoy a small bar-hopping tour starting at Palau del Rei Moro at 8:30 p.m., continuing through La Gralla @lagrallasitges and l’Ateneu @ateneusitges, and ending at Hort de Can Falç.
OFFICIAL EVENTS OF SANTA TECLA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
5:30 pm – Reading of the Santa Tecla Children’s Proclamation
Palau del Rei Moro
By Alberto and Gina Gutiérrez Cosialls. Followed by hot chocolate with melindros for all children. Afterwards, we dress the Gegants Moros.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
7:00 pm – Community rehearsal for children
Palau del Rei Moro
The canalla (children’s group) of the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges show their strength in a special Santa Tecla rehearsal, followed by a refreshing watermelon feast.
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
9:00 pm – Community rehearsal for Santa Tecla
Palau del Rei Moro
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
9:00 p.m. Night of the Pubilles and Hereus
Venue: Hotel Eurostars (Can Girona)
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Organized by: Foment de Turisme.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Exhibition of the Santa Tecla Banner
During liturgical celebrations at the Parish, the Santa Tecla Banner will be on display.
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Exhibition of the Image of Santa Tecla
The image of Santa Tecla will be on display at Carrer Santiago Rusiñol 4, the location chosen by this year’s Pendonista, Vinyet Caballé i Artigas.
11:00 am – Gathering of small gegants, cabeçuts and dracs
Hort de Can Falç
Children take part in the celebration with charming and creative constructions.
12:00 pm – Transfer of the image of Santa Tecla
Parròquia de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
The Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, receives the image of the Patron Saint from Mn. Rafael Vilaplana, parish priest.
Accompanied by the Agrupació Musical Suburband, the image is carried to Carrer Santiago Rusiñol 4, the location designated by the Pendonista, Vinyet Caballé i Artigas. Upon arrival, there will be an inaugural prayer for the exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla.
Parade route: Baluard, Plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jesús, and Santiago Rusiñol.
5:00 pm – Festa Major Concert
Gardens of the Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista
By the Agrupació Musical Suburband.
NIT DE FOC (Night of Fire)
7:30 pm – TIMBALADA
Fragata
With the drummers from the participating colles.
Route: Fragata, Passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major, and Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
8:30 pm – ESPETEGAFOC
Route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Sant Domènech, Major, and Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
9:30 pm – CORREFOC
Port de n’Alegre
Correfoc with the three Ball de Diables de Sitges groups – Colla Jove, Colla Vella, and the Agrupació de Balls Populars – plus invited colles.
Route: Port de n’Alegre, Fonollar, Baluard, and Plaça de l’Ajuntament, where a final joint firework display will take place.
Pyrotechnic event
11:00 pm – NIT DE FOC CONCERTS
From 11:00 pm, Fragata
With performances by Miquel del Roig and Ground Kids.
Organized by: La Saca (Sitgetana de Cultura i Animació).
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
10:00 am – Gathering of giants, cabezudos, and children’s dances
Plaça de l’Ajuntament
Followed by a parade with all participants.
Parade route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pau, Passeig de la Ribera, and Fragata.
Children’s Dance Exhibition
Once the parade ends, at Fragata, the giants and cabezudos perform a final joint dance. Immediately after, in order of arrival, the children’s white dances are showcased, featuring:
Ball de bastons, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cercolets, Cintes, Gitanes, Moixiganga, and the canalla of the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
Carrer Santiago Rusiñol, 4
The image of Santa Tecla will remain on display at the location designated by this year’s Pendonista.
5:30 pm – Gathering of dragons and children’s colles of diablos
Pont d’en Domènech
Parade with all participants, ending with a fire show.
Route: Passeig de la Ribera to Fragata.
Ball Parlat de Diables Infantils
After the fire show, at Fragata, performances in the following order:
Diables of the Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges
Colla Vella de Diables
Colla Jove de Diables
Pyrotechnic event
Exhibition of the Santa Tecla Banner
During liturgical celebration hours at the Parish.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – LA VÍSPERA (THE EVE)
11:00 am to 7:00 pm – Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
(during the time of the Civic Procession)
Carrer Santiago Rusiñol, 4
The image of Santa Tecla will remain on display at the location designated by this year’s Pendonista.
12:00 pm – Commemorative plaque in honor of Ramon Soler
Plaça dels Artistes
A tribute to the memory of this devoted Sitges local, a key figure in preserving Sitges’ traditions.
2:00 pm – Firing of the 21 morterets and ringing of bells
Fragata Beach
Led by the Gegants Americanos de Sitges, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.
Pyrotechnic event
7:00 pm – Civic Procession
Departure from Carrer Santiago Rusiñol, 4
The popular dances, entremesos, musicians, and authorities, along with the Agrupació Musical Suburband, collect the tabernacle of Santa Tecla and proceed to the Parish Church.
Route: Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Cap de la Vila, Major, Aigua, Sant Damià, Rafael Llopart, Port de n’Alegre, Passatge la Vall, Davallada, d’en Bosc, and Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
Upon arrival at the Parish Church, the dances welcome the image of Santa Tecla, which, accompanied by the authorities, the Pendonista, and the cordonistes, is placed in the presbytery to preside over the liturgical events of the day.
Pyrotechnic event
11:00 pm – Fireworks Display
Fragata
A spectacular fireworks show by Pirotècnia Igual, S.A.
Pyrotechnic event
Santa Tecla Eve Party (Verbena de Santa Tecla)
After the fireworks, Passeig de la Ribera
Gralla dance party with the Trinitat and Dinapontus colles from the Escola de Grallers de Sitges. Enjoy the greatest hits that make you dance to the rhythm of gralla and timbal.
Followed by local DJs: A-si-vale DJs, Les pitjor impossible DJs, and DJs HXO.
From midnight – Sardana Dance
Cap de la Vila
Sardana dance with the Cobla Sitgetana.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – FEAST OF SANTA TECLA
Diada de Santa Tecla, protomartyr and Patron Saint of Sitges
JOYFUL CHILDREN’S MATINAL
Three parallel routes will take place, ending with breakfast for all participating children.
With the support of: Ametller Origen, Caprabo, and Bonpreu-Esclat.
Pyrotechnic event
6:30 am – MATINAL FOC
(Route of the children’s matinal that includes fire)
Departure: Davallada
Children’s fire beasts will alternate between the diablos groups, which will perform in this order:
Colla de Diables de l’Agrupació de Balls Populars
Colla Vella de Diables
Colla Jove de Diables
Route: Davallada, Barcelona, Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Josep, Espalter, Plaça Pou Vedre, Bassa Rodona, Santa Tecla, Primer de Maig, Passeig de la Ribera (seaside), and Fragata.
7:00 am – MATINAL GRANDE – GIANTS AND WHITE DANCES
(Route for the matinal of the white dances and children’s giants, without fire)
Route: Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, Passeig de la Ribera (mountainside), and Fragata.
8:00 am – MATINAL PETITA
(Route for the youngest children participating in the matinal)
Departure: Plaça de l’Ajuntament
Route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, d’en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Major, Nou, Passeig de la Ribera, and Fragata.
11:00 am – Solemn Concelebrated Mass in Honor of Santa Tecla
Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
Presided over by Mn. Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, parish priest.
This year, the Gegants de la Vila group, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Gegants Nous, offers the floral tribute to our patron saint on behalf of the entire town.
At the end of the celebration, the goigs to the Saint will be sung by the Cor dels Amics de l’Orgue.
Exit from Mass (Sortida d’Ofici)
After the mass, from the Baluard
Musical parade by the Agrupació Musical Suburband, accompanying the authorities to the Town Hall.
Afterward, all dances and their respective musicians perform simultaneously, along with the Cobla Maricel and the Banda.
Following the dances and entremesos, the Banda performs Els Segadors, the national anthem of Catalonia.
Pyrotechnic event
1:00 pm – Castellers Performance
Plaça de l’Ajuntament
Immediately following the Sortida d’Ofici, castellera performance by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
1:00 pm – Santa Tecla Vermouth Concert
After the Sortida d’Ofici
Musicians will begin once the act starts:
Societat Recreativa El Retiro with the Cobla Maricel
Casino Prado Suburense with the Agrupació Musical Suburband
6:30 pm – Descent of the “Pilar” by the Jove de Sitges
From the Baluard
Descent of the Pilar down the Punta stairs on foot, by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
7:00 pm – Procession in Honor of Santa Tecla
From the Baluard
The tabernacle of Santa Tecla parades through the streets and squares of the town, carried by the pubilles of Sitges’ neighborhoods and associations.
The religious entourage is led by the parish banner, carried by the Cos de Portants de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla.
The Gegants, bestiary, and traditional dances, with their musicians, open the procession, which is presided over by the parish priest Mn. Rafel Vilaplana i Moltó and the Honorable Town Council. The Agrupació Musical Suburband closes the procession.
This year’s Pendonista for the Santa Tecla Banner is Vinyet Caballé i Artigas, who has appointed Sara Fullera Caballé, Aleth Font Fullera, and Raquel Martín Mata as cordonistes.
Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci (calm segment), Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera, Nou, Major, Plaça de l’Ajuntament, and Baluard.
Before the procession passes through Passeig de la Ribera, the Cobla Sitgetana performs several sardanes.
As the procession passes, they play Els Gegants de Sitges by Tomàs Gil and La Processó de Santa Tecla by Jordi Pañella Virella.
When the religious entourage reaches Passeig de la Ribera, the patron saint of the town is honored with morterets (salvos) and the ringing of bells.
Pyrotechnic event
Entrance of Santa Tecla into the Parish Church
When the tabernacle reaches the Baluard, the dances and musicians welcome the co-patron saint, paying tribute as she enters the church, amidst fireworks and bell ringing.
Inside the temple, the prayer “Us he mirat Santa Tecla” is read.
Pyrotechnic event
Final Dance of the “Bèsties de foc” (Drac and Àliga) and the Gegants
Immediately following the closing prayer, in front of the Town Hall, the final dance of the fire beasts and the giants takes place, bidding farewell to the celebrations until the next Festa Major.
Pyrotechnic event
12:00 am – Santa Tecla Concerts
Passeig de la Ribera
Organized by: Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
With live music by Les que faltaband and La Greska DJ
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
10:00 am – 7:00 pm – Open Day at the Museums
Free entry to the Cau Ferrat Museum and the Maricel Museum
Organized by the Educational Department of the Sitges Museums
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
6:00 pm – Santa Tecla Castellers Exhibition
Cap de la Vila
Diada castellera with the Xicots de Vilafranca, Castellers de Sant Cugat, Nois de la Torre, and the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
6:00 pm – Santa Tecla Trumpet and Organ Concert
Parròquia de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
With Salvador Pérez Descals (trumpet) and Hèctor París (organ)
Voluntary donation
6:00 pm – 35th National Sardana Group Contest – Vila de Sitges Trophy
Fragata
Catalan Youth and Regional Championship (Barcelona counties), with the Cobla Maricel
Organized by: Els Amics de la Sardana
