Festes de Santa Eulàlia Closing Parade & Fireworks

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Photo by Manu González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona.

For Santa Eulàlia's Day, all of Ciutat Vella’s female giants change their name to the shorter form of Eulàlia, "Laia," to celebrate one of the festival’s oldest and most exciting events. The doors of the Palau de la Virreina will swing open to allow the Laias out, who will then dance their way to Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.

Route: Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, Plaça del Pi and Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.

After being displayed for a while under the darkness of night and in the magical light of the square, a parade will continue, led by the gegantona Laia, who will lead her fellow giantesses to Plaça de Sant Jaume. But before they reach it, they’ll stop at Baixada de Santa Eulàlia in front of the saint's chapel, where they will lay a wreath and the giantesses of Plaça Nova will perform the Santa Eulàlia dance.

When the retinue reaches Plaça de Sant Jaume, the they will parade under the Santa Eulàlia banner hung from the balcony of the City Council and perform their dance again, but this time the long version, played by Cobla Sant Jordi - Ciutat de Barcelona orchestra. On the final stretch, all the giantesses will join together to offer a unique, special image that can only be seen on this occasion, in honor of the patron saint.

Finally, a fireworks display will end the Santa Eulàlia festivities until next year.

Route: Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol, Carrer del Pi, Plaça de la Cucurulla, Carrer dels Boters, Plaça Nova, Carrer del Bisbe, Carrer de Sant Sever, Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, Carrer dels Banys Nous, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Program

• 18:45: Giantess display, Palau de la Virreina.
• 19:30: Parade of the Laias, from Palau de la Virreina to Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.
• 20:30: Parade from Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol to Plaça de Sant Jaume.
• 20:50: Wreath-laying and Santa Eulàlia dance at Baixada de Santa Eulàlia.
• 20:25: Santa Eulàlia dance at Plaça de Sant Jaume.

What to Do for Festes de Santa Eulàlia

Celebrated in the days surrounding February 12th, the Santa Eulàlia festival program is packed with things to do and see. From parades and exhibits filled with gegants (giants), capgrossos (bigheads) and fire-breathing beasts to giant castells (human towers), traditional dances and correfocs (fire runs), you're sure to find something to delight and amaze you.

But if all the festivities of La Mercè get to be a bit too much, why not take a culture break? Many of the city’s museums observe the holiday with a jornada de portes obertes (open doors). To make the most of your time, take a look at our interactive map with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free: Free Museums in Barcelona for Santa Eulàlia.

See our page about the Festes de Santa Eulàlia for info on the festival's events and discover the story behind one of the biggest celebrations on Barcelona's calendar and the many traditions that make this beloved Catalan holiday so special.

For more events check our online events calendar.