Correfoc de Santa Eulàlia

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Photo by Pep Herrero courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona.

The Santa Eulàlia fire festival is a feast for your senses with drums, the smell of gunpowder and the light of the sparks. Barcelona's fire beasts and devils will gather in Plaça Reial to begin their correfoc (fire run) on their way to take their fire to Plaça de Sant Jaume.

El Drac (dragon) of la Ciutat Vella, the Víbria (she-dragon) of Barcelona, la Tarasca (fire-demon) of Barcelona, the Mulassa (she-mule) of Barcelona, the Bou (ox) of Barcelona and the Arpella (harrier) and Dolphin of the Old Quarter will fill the streets with fire with the Devils of Kinta Forka and the Gothic Quarter and the Tarascaires.

The fire run concludes with a spectacle of fireworks at Plaça de Sant Jaume followed by a concert and more festivities throughout the evening.

Route: Plaça Reial, Carrer de Colom, la Rambla, Carrer de Ferran and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Please Note

The fire festival is one of the most entertaining events of the Santa Eulàlia celebrations but it is important to take every precaution. If you wish to participate, don’t forget that:

• You will need cover your head, wear a neckerchief and long sleeves and trousers. Always wear clothes made from cotton and not from synthetic materials. You should wear comfortable footwear so that you can run when necessary.
• Be particularly careful if you are with small children and keep a safe distance from the fire.
• If the fire run goes past your home or shop, roll up the awnings, cover your windows and close your shutters.
• No alcohol or glass: while the fire run is taking place, avoid alcohol. And if you are carrying a drink, make sure it is not in a glass bottle or cup. Broken glass is dangerous.
• Do not forget that the fire run is a lot of fun, but if you do not follow the basic safety rules, it can also be dangerous. Join in the festival but enjoy it sensibly!

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.