Santa Eulàlia, also known as ‘La Laia’, is arguably Barcelona’s biggest Winter celebration and is held around the 12th February each year. Known for its vibrant display of Catalan traditions, the festival transforms the city into a lively hub of culture and festivity. Highlights include parades of gegants (giant puppets), thrilling correfocs (fire runs), castells (human towers), and traditional music and dance performances like the sardana.
Santa Eulàlia festivities in Barcelona
History of Saint Eulàlia
The festival pays homage to St Eulàlia, patron saint of Barcelona since the end of the 17th century. Barcelona legend tells of how, in the 4th century, the Roman Emperor Diocles ordered the persecution of all Christians in the empire. In Barcelona, many hid and some fled. Eulàlia, a 13-year-old girl who lived in a house in Sarrià, courageously presented herself to protest against such injustice. Eulàlia was imprisoned and tortured 13 times, once for each year of her life, but she was not defeated and did not stop fighting for her ideals. From then on the girl became a symbol of solidarity and the defence of justice, and she is still venerated by the people of Barcelona.
You can find the crypt of Santa Eulàlia in the Cathedral of Barcelona. In the Monastery garden live thirteen white geese that protect the city of Barcelona and are also thought to bring good luck.
Facts about Festes de Santa Eulàlia
- Eulàlia is one of the two Patron Saints of the city, along with Mercè.
- ‘Eulàlia’ and ‘Laia’ continue to be common girl names in Barcelona.
- Barcelona’s Cathedral is named after Eulàlia.
Event Highlights
La Diada Castellera (Human Towers)
Santa Eulàlia also marks the start of the Castellers season. The ‘Colles Castelleres’ is one of the main features during the festivities. In front of the Cathedral St Eulàlia, some of the Colles build honorary pillars, and then walk on to Plaça Sant Jaume with the pillars still in tact.
El Correfoc
El Seguici de Santa Eulàlia (Giants parade)
A large street parade which originated in 1983 and involves the majority of Barcelona’s festival imagery: giants, little giants, dwarfs, big-heads and the beats of the Bestiari Historic de la Ciutat – led by the giantess Laia.
The procession of the Laies (Giants parade)
This is one of the oldest events of the festival – a parade led by the Ciutat Vella giants, which that day are rechristened with the name of Laia.
La ballada de Sardanes
The Sardana dance is an important part of Barcelona’s Winter Festival. On 12th February a dance takes place in Plaça de Sant Jaume organised by the ‘Cobla Ciutat de Barcelona’.
Trobada de Colles de Bastoners
The Trobada de Colles de Bastoners is a lively gathering of stick-dancing groups featured in the Santa Eulàlia Festival. Dancers perform the traditional Ball de Bastons, striking wooden sticks in rhythm to music, showcasing coordination, heritage, and vibrant regional traditions.
Free museum entrance
As a tribute to the Patron Saint of Barcelona, some local museums are open to the general public for free during the festivities.
Free entrance to the Barcelona City Hall
This is a rare exception during this Winter holiday, as usually it is not open to visitors.
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