Neither the plague, nor wars, nor mass tourism have been able to defeat it. Since 1589, the Fiestas de Sant Roc de la Plaça Nova have been standing up to time for 436 years, keeping their traditions alive in the heart of Barcelona. While Gràcia grabs the headlines, here, in front of the Cathedral, you can breathe another energy, that of a festival that is at the heart of the origin of the city.
From August 12 to 16, the square becomes the stage for ‘gegants’, ‘capgrossos‘, sardanas, habaneras and traditional games. Among the classics, there will be the ‘Porró Llarg’ (a porron with a kilometer-long neck that only the brave manage to lift), the ‘Correfoc’, the centenary parade of the ‘Seguici’ with its beasts, giants and traditional dances and of course, the centenary game of La Cucanya.
This year, in addition, the festival starts with the peculiar parade of ‘En Cu-cut dalt del ruc’, will continue with the mythical Festa del Gos (yes, there is a canine catwalk for the dogs of the neighborhood) and will offer from chocolate to magic, drawing contests, sardanas and ‘putxinel-lis’ shows. And, of course, the essential ‘panellets’ of Sant Roc and the toast with the longest ‘porrón’ of the city.
When is the festival of Sant Roc?
From August 12 to 16, in the Plaça Nova, in front of the Cathedral.
Why is it the oldest festival in Barcelona?
In 1583, there was an outbreak of plague in Barcelona and, according to legend, that same year Sant Roc arrived in the city. The saint caught the disease, but thanks to the baker’s dog, who brought him food every day, he managed to recover and during the period he was inside the Roman walls, no neighbor died of the plague.
For this reason, it is attributed the power of protection against diseases and according to the Catalan saints’ calendar it is often celebrated “on the 15th the Mare de Déu d’Agost, on the 16th Sant Roc and on the 17th Sant Gos” since Sant Roc and the dog always had a very good relationship. In 1589, six years later, the neighbors began to celebrate the festivities of Sant Roc to honor him and ask for his protection. The festivity has lasted until today, becoming one of the oldest festivities in the city.
Program of activities for the Festa Major de Sant Roc 2025.
The festivities of Sant Roc are small but proud, so we leave you the whole program so you can enjoy it at your leisure.
Wednesday, August 13th
- 18:00 – In Cu-cut dalt del ruc: inaugural parade with the mythical ‘capgròs’ Cu-cut mounted on a donkey.
- 19:00 – Raising of the Heraldic Flag of Sant Roc.
- 19:15 – Presentation of the new dance of the ‘capgrossos’ Tano and Beco.
- 19:30 – Sardanes with the Cobla Ciutat de Granollers.
- 21:00 – Habanera singing with ‘Barca de Mitjana’ and ‘cremat de rom‘.
Thursday 14th August
- 18:00 – Festa del Gos: the traditional “salutació” of all the dogs of the neighborhood to Sant Roc.
- 18:00 – Children’s drawing contest (from 2 to 14 years old).
- 19:00 – Popular games: sack race, egg and spoon, breaking the pot and cucaña.
- 19:45 – Raising of the ‘Capità Munyon’ balloon.
- 22:00 – Dance night with La Selva Band and DJ Kylans.
Friday, August 15
- 12:00 – Solemn Mass in Santa Maria del Pi for the Assumption, with dance of the Gegants Petits del Pi.
- 17:30 – Gathering and dance of gegants.
- 19:15 – Popular chocolate.
- 19:30 – Magic with Xarrin Xarrin.
- 20:15 – Cucaña for children.
- 22:00 – Show “Cocodrilo Club” with DJ Albert Malla.
Saturday, August 16th
- 09:30 – Traca despertada and great Seguici de Sant Roc: parade with devils, bastoners, eagle of the city, gegants, capgrossos and much more.
- 10:15 – Renewal of the vow to Sant Roc and blessing of the panellets.
- 11:45 – Dance of the Àliga and singing of the Goigs in the Cathedral.
- 12:45 – Floral offering to Sant Roc and dance of the centenary of the gegants.
- 13:00 – The mythical Porró Llarg: a giant porron for those who can lift it.
- 18:00 – Puppet show “El retorn dels putxinel-lis modernistes”.
- 19:00 – Prize-giving ceremony.
- 19:30 – Dances with the Esbart Català de Dansaires.
- 22:30 – Correfoc and fireworks display.
- 23:15 – Final dance with DJ Send.