The Festes de Santa Eulàlia, Barcelona’s main winter festival, is one of the city’s most emblematic celebrations. For several days, the streets are filled with activities that combine tradition, culture and fun for all ages. In honour of Santa Eulàlia, co-patron saint of Barcelona, the city revives her legacy with parades, traditional dances, light shows and concerts that highlight the richness of Catalan culture.
From parades and traditional events to vibrant concerts and activities for the little ones, this celebration offers a diverse programme that captivates locals and visitors alike. Year after year, the Barcelona Winter Festival becomes an unforgettable experience, combining history and folklore with cultural and festive proposals for all audiences.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy these days full of emotion, music and tradition in honour of Santa Eulàlia, one of the city’s most emblematic figures. Shuttle2Sun offers its shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, so you can get to Barcelona from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Popular culture
The Festes de Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona will be held from 7th to 12th of February 2025. One of the most emblematic events is the Protocol of the Eagle of the City, scheduled for Friday, 7th of February, at 8 p.m. This solemn parade starts at Plaça de Sant Jaume and goes through historic streets such as Jaume I, Argenteria and Fossar de les Moreres, culminating at the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The most exciting moment is the traditional dance of the Eagle in the presbytery, right in front of the basilica’s main altar, a tradition that evokes the rich history and devotion of the city.
On Saturday 8th of February at 10 a.m., the Plaça de Sant Jaume will be the setting for the Gathering of “colles bastoneres” (stick-dancing groups). The “colles bastoneres” of Barcelona will come together to offer exhibitions of Ball de Bastons, a traditional Catalan dance that stands out for its energy and coordination. The participants, armed with sticks, perform choreographies to the rhythm of the music, celebrating and preserving this ancient tradition.
On the same day, at 5 p.m., the Drummers’ Gathering will begin in Plaça Reial. The groups of drummers from the colles de diables and bestiary of fire will gather to celebrate a great “tamborrada”. On Saturday 8th of February, one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festival will also take place: the Correfoc de Santa Eulàlia. From 8 p.m. onwards, the diables and beasts of fire groups will parade from Plaça Reial, unleashing a spectacle of fire and sparks that will light up the Barcelona night.
Another of the big events of the Festes de Santa Eulàlia is the Diada Castellera, which will be celebrated on Sunday, 9th of February, starting at 11.30 a.m. in Plaça de Sant Jaume. On this day, the ‘colles castelleres’ (human towers groups) from Barcelona and other nearby towns will gather to build their impressive human towers, known as ‘castells’. This spectacular event, which stands out for its skill, strength, balance and teamwork, is a symbol of Catalan unity and tradition.
With Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can get to Barcelona from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Concerts for all tastes
The music programme for the Festes de Santa Eulàlia includes a rich variety of events to suit all tastes. On Friday 7th of February, at 8.15 p.m., Plaça de Sant Jaume will host the Tradicionàrius in Santa Eulàlia, an extension of the International Folk Festival. At 9:30 p.m., the group Germà Negre will bring their show Puja aquí dalt i balla, fusing traditional music with contemporary energy.
Throughout the week, various concerts can be enjoyed, such as the Concert by the Catalan Federation of Choral Organisations (Saturday 8th, at 12:30 p.m., in the Avinguda de la Catedral), which will bring together choirs from all over the country to offer a sample of the wide-ranging Catalan choral repertoire.
On the evening of Saturday 8th, at 9.15 p.m., the Lo Puto Cat Concert will take audiences a journey through Catalan music; while on Sunday 9th, at 10 p.m., the Clavé Concert will bring an intimate and unique proposal in a cosy atmosphere.
Children’s Activities
The Barcelona Festival also offers a variety of activities designed for the little ones. On Friday, 7th of February, at 6.30 p.m., in Plaça de Sant Jaume, pupils from Barcelona’s municipal music schools will perform their best musical pieces.
Another interesting proposal is the Santa Eulàlia Children’s Sardana Gathering, on Saturday, 8th of February, where children can enjoy the traditional Catalan dance of the sardana in a festive and participatory atmosphere; and the Exhibition of Children’s and Young People’s Traditional and Folk Dance Groups, with a series of folk dances that connect us with the roots of Catalan culture. Saturday afternoon will be marked by the Correfoc of the little devils and the little beasts.
In addition, the Gathering of the Ciutat Vella Giants and the Santa Eulàlia Entourage will take to the streets, filling the nooks and crannies of the Gothic Quarter with colour and music. Finally, the Gegantona Laia Parade will be a unique opportunity to see this giant figure parade through the city centre.
The festival’s biggest day, February 12th
The big day of the festivities, 12th of February, offers some of the most solemn and emotional events of the Santa Eulàlia Festival. At 6 p.m., the Laies Walk begins, a parade featuring the Ciutat Vella giants, known as ‘Laias’, who walk through the Gothic Quarter, while making a floral offering at the Baixada de Santa Eulàlia.
Then, at 7 p.m., the Plaça de Sant Jaume hosts the traditional Santa Eulàlia dance, a festive choreography in which the Laies take part, accompanied by the Cobla Sant Jordi – Ciutat de Barcelona. This event will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display.
Come to Barcelona to enjoy the Festes de Santa Eulàlia to the fullest! Don’t forget that Shuttle2Sun offers low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.