Tarragona is known for its stunning beaches, rich history and cultural heritage. In summer, this city is the protagonist of a unique event: Tarragona’s fireworks. This pyrotechnic event, which attracts thousands of visitors, both locals and tourists, is a celebration that combines tradition, art and the excitement of fireworks. If you don’t want to miss it, make use of Shuttle2Sun‘s 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.
Tarragona’s fireworks take place over several days during the summer. This year they take place between the nights of July 5th and July 8th at 22:30h. The location of this event is at the Platja del Miracle and has been carefully selected by the event organisers to offer spectators a spectacular panoramic view of the fireworks illuminating the night sky.
Not only the people of Tarragona are not the only ones who do not want to miss this spectacle, inhabitants of other towns on Costa Dorada such as Reus, Cambrils, La Pineda, Salou, Valls and many more are looking forward to these four days.
The 31st edition
The first edition of these fireworks in Tarragona was held in 1990 and, since then, some of the best international pyrotechnic companies have participated in the competition. This year is the 31st edition.
This year’s 2023 competition will include the participation of an Italian pyrotechnics company, two from Valencia and one from Castellón. On Wednesday 5th July the company Pirotecnia Santa Chiara (Italy) will take part, on Thursday 6th July it will be the turn of Pirotecnia Marti (Castellón), followed by Pirotecnia Turis (Valencia) on Friday 7th July and finishing on Saturday 8th July with Pirotecnia del Mediterráneo (Valencia).
During each night, a specialised jury will evaluate the performances of each launch in terms of occupation of the airspace, purity, intensity, brightness and duration of the colours, among many other elements. The results of the competitions will be announced on 9 July at a public event in the courtyard of King Jaime I of the City Hall. The winner will receive the “Venus de Tarragona” trophy and will be in charge of the fireworks display at Santa Tecla Festival in Tarragona next September.
Tarragona’s fireworks offer a wide variety of pyrotechnic effects and designs. From the classic fireworks that explode in brilliant bursts to the most innovative and complex, every year new surprises and creations are presented. The organisers work with renowned pyrotechnics, ensuring the quality and safety of the fireworks.
Location
The venue for the show is located at the end of the Platja del Miracle, one of the most emblematic places in the city, next to the Rafael Casanova promenade. This stretch of the city fills up with people eagerly awaiting the start of the show. While waiting, attendees can enjoy the sea breeze and the lively atmosphere created in the area.
The event begins at dusk, as the sun sets and the sky turns orange and pink. The anticipation builds as the start time approaches. Once it gets completely dark, the spectacle of lights and colours begins. Platja del Miracle is only 15 minutes away from Reus airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station, so if you are planning to use them, you can travel with Shuttle2Sun.
Just because the fireworks display is at Platja del Miracle doesn’t mean it’s the only place to enjoy them. Other popular places where many people go to see them is the Balcony of the Mediterranean, at the end of the Rambla Nova. From this viewpoint you can also see the port of Tarragona and the Roman Amphitheatre. It is a very popular place for the people of Tarragona and is very close to the city centre. Another popular location is the promenade that runs from Tarragona’s marina to the Faro de la Baña lighthouse. Although this location is a little further away from Platja del Miracle, you will find a much calmer atmosphere than on the beach. In both cases, we also recommend going early to find a good spot to see them.
Dining on the beach
Many spectators choose to arrive at the location a few hours early to have a privileged view of the event. This way, they prepare dinner to share with friends on the beach at a picnic. We recommend you do the same, as this will save you a lot of traffic congestion and a lot of difficulties in finding parking.
So, one of the best ways to get there is to use Shuttle2Sun. If you plan to reach the city via Reus airport or the AVE Camp de Tarragona train station, you can get to Tarragona in just 15 minutes.
Sustainable event
An interesting fact to bear in mind is that the pyrotechnic companies have tried to reduce the use of plastic in previous editions by using more biodegradable materials. On the other hand, Tarragona City Council has organised a system of daily collection and cleaning during the dates of the competition with the aim of collecting all the pyrotechnic waste that spectators can leave behind. In this way, the Fundació Onada, located in Camp Clar, will provide its services for the cleaning of waste. From here, we also invite participants and attendees to collaborate in littering as little as possible to try to keep all the areas used for the event as clean as possible and, thus, that the Tarragona fireworks can celebrate many more editions.
Finally, if you intend to stay on Costa Dorada for a few days, you can discover the great history and cultural heritage of ancient Tarraco and its surroundings. If you are an architecture lover, we have an article on the best historical elements of this area that you cannot miss.
In short, Tarragona’s fireworks is an annual event that combines the beauty of fireworks and fun in a unique setting. It is an opportunity to enjoy and disconnect from the daily routine with friends and family. If you are planning to attend and use Barcelona airport, Reus port, Girona airport or Camp de Tarragona AVE train station, use Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services to get you to the city of Tarragona.