One of the Catholic images that represent the arrival of Christmas is the nativity scene, which represents the birth of Baby Jesus and, in many cases, the offering of the Three Wise Men for his nativity. There is also the living nativity scene, which is a play staged by people.
If you want to get to know this tradition in depth, we encourage you to visit Tarragona province, which includes Costa Dorada, where you can enjoy various living nativity scenes during Christmas and Epiphany. You must consider that you have at your disposal the private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, of Shuttle2Sun, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
What a traditional nativity scene is like
The main figures in the nativity scene are Baby Jesus, Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, accompanied by the mule and the ox, although the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, as well as the angel, the shepherds and other animals, can also be added.
As it is a tradition present in many countries, different elements are included in each place. In case of Catalonia, ‘caganer’, a shepherd boy defecating in the bushes, has been introduced. It is a symbol of fertility, as it deposits natural fertiliser in the fields. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of ‘caganer’ figures, sometimes even with the faces of famous people. Another Catalan figure is ‘pixaner’, a shepherd boy urinating, hidden in the bushes.
Living nativity scenes in Salou
The capital of Costa Dorada, Salou, hosts, every year, the performances of various living nativity scenes in the town, as part of the extensive Christmas programme which, every year, includes a wide variety of activities for all audiences.
On the one hand, Protestant Church of Salou, which is located at Carrer Pere Gales, 1, is organising its living nativity scene for the eighth year, on 16th and 17th of December. This event has the collaboration of the town council and the participation of members of Federació de Pessebres Vivents de Catalunya. Tickets can already be purchased at this link.
Grup Esplai Salou, an organisation aimed especially at the young people of the municipality, also organises its representation of the living nativity scene every winter. It usually has the participation of a dozen young people, who give a modern touch to the traditional nativity scene, including new elements in each edition. It takes place on Christmas Day (25th of December), St. Stephen’s Day (26th of December) and New Year’s Day (1st of January), in Masia Catalana.
On the other hand, in Torre Vella, a cultural centre of Salou, every Christmas there is an exhibition of “dioramas” (models with figures) of the main scenes from the birth of Jesus, made by local artists.
If you want to get to Salou, with all the comfort and without worries, Shuttle2Sun offers private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
A very unique nativity scene in Vandellòs
In Vandellòs and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, very close to towns such as Cambrils and Salou, the 26th edition of ‘Pessebre dels Estels’ takes place in Masia de Castelló. This magnificent nativity scene reproduces the different scenes depicted in the Bible, and also includes references to the ancient trades that existed in the mountain villages, such as distillers, chestnut roasters, boatmen and many others.
The whole village is transformed and travels back in time to offer visitors a unique experience, where they can enjoy the streets of Castelló in a very original and different way. This year, it takes place on the weekends of 8th and 9th of December and 16th and 17th of December.
If you have never seen anything like it, we recommend that you visit this nativity scene accompanied by your family and friends, to discover what your life would have been like if you had been born at that time.
‘Pessebre de Sorra’ of Vila-seca La Pineda
Although it is not a living nativity scene as such, ‘Pessebre de Sorra’ of Vila-seca La Pineda deserves a place in this article. Since the year 2000, the Town Council of Vila-seca has offered, for Christmas, a spectacular nativity scene made with 400 tons of sand, a spectacle that, every year, receives the visit of thousands of people.
Located in Parc del Pinar del Perruquet, this large nativity scene occupies up to 300 m². Each year, the theme is different, and different international artists let their imagination run wild to turn these mountains of sand into ephemeral sculptures in the open air.
This year’s edition 2023-24 features eight artists from Europe who have taken part in previous editions: two from Catalonia, and the others from Italy, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Czech Republic and Portugal. On this occasion, the nativity scene is inspired by the four elements of nature, such as water, air, fire and earth.
This ensemble is open to the public and can be visited until the 7th of January 2024, free of charge.
Children and young people, protagonists of ‘Retaules Vivents’ of Reus
There are other municipalities in Tarragona province that also put on nativity plays for Christmas, such as Reus, for example.
For more than 30 years, the city of Reus has been organising ‘Retaules Vivents’ (Living Nativity Scenes), organised by Patronat Foc Nou Cultural Association, around Priory Church of Sant Pere. This show, which takes place during the week of Christmas, has many participants, children and young people, and a newborn baby, for the role of the Baby Jesus.
Salou, La Pineda, Reus and Vandellòs and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant offer a series of incredible living nativity scenes. If you don’t want to miss any of these, book now your private transfer service, low-cost and sustainable, of Shuttle2Sun, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
