PRELIMINARY ACTS

 

SATURDAY 10th AUGUST

Lyre Dinner Dance 2024

8:00 pm / Retiro Gardens

Dinner, surprises, and dancing with the Voralmar orchestra. A tribute to members who have been loyal to the organization for 75, 50, 25, 15, and 10 years. The Golden Lyre award will be presented to member Elena Ferré Ràfols.

 

SUNDAY 11th AUGUST

Annual Festival Quinto

5:00 pm / Retiro Gardens
With lots of prizes, surprises, and a big special bingo.
Organized by: Colla Vella and Colla Jove de Diables de Sitges

 

THURSDAY 15th AUGUST

Retallem i vestim els Gegants

Cutting and Dressing the Giants
6:00 PM / Racó de la Calma
Family workshop (recommended age 6 to 11 years).
Around this time we’ll be close to the Annual Festival and we love all the dances and the presence of the three giant colles in particular, whether they're dancing or walking! A workshop in which boys and girls, using the cut-out figures of the giants, will be able to experiment with the colours and textures of the dresses of each pair of giants through watercolours, and they’ll be able to put on and take these clothes off them any time they want.
Price: €4
Tickets available at: museusdesitges.cat
Organized by: Museus de Sitges

 

FRIDAY 16th AUGUST

Barraques de Sitges

8:30 pm / Fragata's Square

Concerts with the groups Lágrimas de Sangre, Pony Pisador, Masta Quba, Sr. Hongo, and PD Marla.

Free entry
Organized by: Barraques de Sitges

 

40th Night of the Sardana

10:00 pm / Retiro Gardens
Featuring the Cobles Maricel and Jovenívola de Sabadell.

Free entry
Organized by: Amics de la Sardana de Sitges

 

SATURDAY 17th AUGUST

Exhibition of Sant Bartomeu's Flag

During liturgical celebrations at the Parish Church.

 

Festa Major Trophy America's Cup 2024 Edition

11:00 am / Club Nàutic de Sitges

Light sailing regatta between Festa Major groups.
Organized by: Club Nàutic de Sitges in collaboration with the Municipal Commission of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla 

 

Barraques de Sitges

7:00 pm / Fragata's Square

Concerts with the groups Auxili, O-Erra, Esther, Greska, Els Atrapasomnis, and Mon DJ.

Free entry
Organized by: Barraques de Sitges

 

SUNDAY 18th AUGUST

Exhibition of Sant Bartomeu's Flag

During liturgical celebrations at the Parish Church.

 

Festa Major Vermouth 

12:00 pm to 2:30 pm / Hort de Can Falç
Show featuring Tecla Massapoc, Gloria Gluten Free, concluding with music by a DJ.

Free entry
Organized by: Ateneu Popular

 

Concert ‘La Processó, el so de la Festa’

7:00 pm / Casino Prado Theater
The Camerata Eduard Todrà, Cobla Maricel, and grallers Marcets, directed by composer and conductor Xavier Pagès-Corella, will present the concert "La processó, el so de la festa!"
Tickets available at culturasitges.cat

 

Barraques de Sitges

Concerts with the groups Josetxu Piperrak, Ebri Knight, Miquel del Roig, Alidé Sans, and Dj Ceba.

Free entry
Organized by: Barraques de Sitges

 

OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF EVENTS FOR SANT BARTOMEU 2024

Events with pyrotechnics

 

MONDAY 19th AUGUST

12th Festa Major Instagram Photography Contest

From August 19 to 26
To participate, post an image on your Instagram account with the hashtag: #fmsitgesabps. The legal rules are published on the entity's website.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

 

Satirical Speech
7:00 pm / Palau del Rei Moro
By Adaia Matas. Followed by a farewell for the 2023 representatives of the entity, the presentation of the 2024 Pubilla and Hereu of ABPS, and recognition of a person associated with the entity.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

 

Festa Major Speech

10:00 pm / Plaça de l’Ajuntament

By Alba Gràcia Pañella, with simultaneous interpretation in Catalan sign language. In case of rain or bad weather, the new location will be announced on official social media.

Afterwards, at the same location, the concert "Que soni la festa" by INXA BASS BRAND.

  

TUESDAY 20th AUGUST

Guitar Performance
8:00 pm / Palau del Rei Moro
Enjoy guitar and percussion adaptations of the most iconic Festa Major songs.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

 

Havaneres

8:00 pm / Gardens of the Hospital Sant Joan Baptista

Havanera singing with the group Xarxa. Traditional rum will be served.

  

WEDNESDAY 21st AUGUST

Festa Major Joy
7:00 pm / Gardens of El Retiro
Musical performance by the group L'Alegria de Sitges. Performing classic hits from past and present.
Free entry
Organized by: Societat Recreativa El Retiro

 

Procession of the image of Sant Bartomeu

8:00 pm / Parish of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
The municipal Commission of Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, will collect the image of the Patron Saint from Mn. Rafael Vilaplana, parish priest. The image will then be transferred to the Chapel of the Hospital Sant Joan Baptista, designated by this year's Standard Bearer, Josep Maria Rosés i Castro, with musical accompaniment by Cobla Maricel. Upon arrival at the Chapel, INAUGURAL PRAYER OF THE EXPOSITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU. 

 

Route: Parish, Plaça de l'Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jesús, Francesc Gumà, Hort Gran, under the railway bridge, Avinguda de les Flors, Carretera de les Costes, Plaça Hospital (Creu Roja), Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer, entrance to the Hospital grounds to the Chapel.

 

Festa Major Jazz
8:00 pm / Racó de la Calma
The group Retrio, composed of three locals from Sitges who grew up listening to the traditional melodies of their Festa Major, will perform. The concert will feature these traditional tunes interpreted through jazz styles like swing, dixieland, funk, and bossa nova.
Price: €12.

Tickets available at  museusdesitges.cat
Organized by: Museus de Sitges

 

Festa Major Rehearsal
9:00 pm / Palau del Rei Moro
Afterward, coca and moscatel will be served.
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges

 

Festa Major Concerts
10:00 pm / Fragata
Concert and dance with the MARAVELLA orchestra

 

THURSDAY 22nd AUGUST

Exposition of the image of Sant Bartomeu
From 11 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 9 pm
The image of Sant Bartomeu, the patron of our town, will be on display in the Chapel of the Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista

 

Dressing the Moorish Giants
6:30 pm / Palau del Rei Moro
We'll dress Fa-Luch and La-hia with the help of the youngest members of the community.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.

 

Flag Presentation
9:30 pm / Parish of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
Includes a recital of poems related to the Flag of the Patron Saint and the singing of the Gozos de Sant Bartomeu by the Cor dels Amics de l'Orgue. This year, the Poem in the Flag is by Cèlia Sànchez-Mústich.

 

Flag Procession
Accompanied by Cobla Maricel, procession to the home of the President of the Festa Major Committee, Marta Casterad Farreras, at Pintor Marià Carbonellopis Street, 22.

 

Route: Parish, Plaça de l'Ajuntament, Davallada, St. Sebastià, Ànimes, under the railway bridge, Avinguda de les Flors, Carretera de les Costes, Pl. Hospital (Creu Roja), Carbonell Vidal i Barraquer, Josep Tarradellas, stairs to Pintor Marià Carbonellopis, 22.

 

Popular Watermelon Feast
After the flag reaches the President's house, a watermelon feast will be held for all attendees, in collaboration with the Mercat Municipal de Sitges.

 

The Eve

FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST

Exposition of the image of Sant Bartomeu
From 11 am until the time of the civic procession.
The image of Sant Bartomeu, the patron of our town, will be on display in the Chapel of the Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista.

 

Arrival of the Grallers (musics)
12 pm
Various groups will offer their performances in tribute to the founders of the Festa Major. Participating "grallers" from the Escola de Grallers de Sitges, Marcets, La Sitja, Colla Maricel, as well as the groups of sacaires, Joan Olarte, Filibusters, and Miquel Acunya.

 

Route: Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Major and Plaça.de l'Ajuntament.

 

Firing of the 21 Muskets and Bell Ringing 
2 pm
By residents, workers, and volunteers of the Hospital de Sitges, commemorating the institution's 700th anniversary.

 

Parade of Traditional Popular Dances 

2:15 pm

From Plaça de l'Ajuntament, down Major Street to Cap de la Vila with the Gegants, Cabeçuts, Drac, Àguila, Diables, Bastons, Cercolets, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cintes, Gitanes, and Moixiganga, accompanied by the Suburband del Retiro. At Cap de la Vila, the full Moixiganga dance will be performed.

 

Sardanes

2:00 pm / Cap de la Vila

The Cobla Sitgetana will play the sardanas 'La processó de Sant Bartomeu,' by Antoni Català i Vidal, and 'La Festa Major,' by Enric Morera i Viura.

 

Exhibition and performance of ”balls parlats" (recitation of verses of some of the popular dances) 

2.45 h / Hort de Can Falç

At the Hort de Can Falç, in honor of the authorities and the public, a performance will feature all the dance groups and the spoken dances: Ball de Diables, Ball de Cercolets, Ball de Pastorets, and Balls de Gitanes. Meanwhile, some groups will visit the Hospital de San Joan Baptista.

 

Castellers Performance (Human Towers)
6:00 pm / Cap de la Vila
Pre-Festa Major performance with the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges..

 

Civic Procession 

7:00 pm

From the home of the Festa Major Committee President, Marta Casterad Farreras.
The popular dances, entremeses, musicians, and authorities, accompanied by the Suburband, will pick up the tabernacle of Sant Bartomeu from the location chosen by Josep Maria Rosés i Castro, Standard Bearer of Sant Bartomeu 2024, and escort it to the parish church.

 

Route: Josep Tarradelles i Joan, Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer, Calle de Rita Benaprès i Mestre, Calle Joan Ramon Benaprès (calm section), Calle Hospital, (entering the Hospital through the morgue and exiting through the door to Plaza del Hospital), Plaça de l'Hospital (Creu Roja), Camí dels Capellans, Carretera de les Costes, under the railway bridge, Hort Gran, Ànimes, Sant Sebastià, Davallada, Plaça de l'Ajuntament and Baluard.

 

 

At the parish church's doors, the dances will receive the image of Sant Bartomeu, which will then be escorted inside, accompanied by authorities, the standard bearer, and the cordonists, to preside over the day's liturgical events.

 

Fireworks Display 
11:00 pm / Punta, Fragata, and Espigones
Grand Fireworks Display by Pirotecnia Igual, S.A.

 

Calm Fireworks Display 

11:00 pm / Passeig de la Ribera in front of Pic-Nic restaurant, by the sea
During the pyrotechnic show, a seating area will be available where attendees can enjoy a glass of Maria Casanovas Brut Cava.
Limited seating. It is recommended to reserve tickets in advance at the Commission's Stand, Llibrería Universal (Passeig Vilanova, 19), and Papelería La Tribu (c/ Sant Bartomeu, 1).

People with reduced mobility should also make advance reservations at the indicated locations. Contribution of €5.
In collaboration with: Cava Maria Casanovas.

 

Descend of the Popular Dances 

After the fireworks display, a parade will descend via the Punta stairs to the Greco Monument and return to Carrer Nou.

 

Sardana Night

Starting at midnight / Cap de la Vila

Sardana Night with the Cobla Sitgetana.

 

Festa Major Concerts

From 12:30 am / Passeig de la Ribera

Concert featuring the band BIG MOUTHERS and DJ ARZZET

  

Feast Day of Sant Bartomeu the Apostle

SATURDAY 24th AUGUST

Joyful Morning 

6:00 am

From Baluard Miquel Utrillo i Morlius, the dancers, performers, and musicians will parade through the streets of the town. Everyone who wishes can join the procession, wearing white clothing, "espardenyes" (traditional Catalan shoes), and a sash. Following tradition, municipal officials, the Committee, and special guests will offer fragrant flowers.

 

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Baluard Vidal I Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Espalter, Plaça del Pou Vedre, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major, and Town Hall.

 

 

Solemn Mass in Honor of the Patron Saint of Sitges

10:30 am / Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla

The celebration will be presided over by Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, the parish priest. This year, the Àliga group, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will present the offering on behalf of the town to our Patron Saint during the offertory. After the celebration, there will be the singing of the goigs (traditional Catalan hymns) to the Saint and veneration of the relic.

 

Exit of the Mass 

After the Mass from Baluard to the Town Hall Square

Musical parade by the band, accompanying the authorities to the Town Hall. Following this, all the dances and their respective musicians, along with the Cobla Maricel and the Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro, will perform together in one of the most magical moments of the Festa Major.

After the performances of the dances and traditional acts, the band will play "Els Segadors," the national anthem of Catalonia.

 

Castellers Performance (human towers)

After the Exit of the Mass at Plaça de l'Ajuntament, Castellers performance by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges and the presentation of the Pubilla and Hereu of the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges 2024.

 

Concert Vermouth of Festa Major

1:00 pm (After the Exit of the Mass)

Societat Recreativa El Retiro: With Cobla Maricel.

Casino Prado: With the Suburband.

 

Procession in honor of Sant Bartomeu 

7:30 pm

From Baluard, the Tabernacle of Sant Bartomeu will pass through the streets and squares of the town, accompanied by all the residents of Sitges who wish to join. The procession will be led by the parish priest, Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, with the participation of the distinguished Town Hall. All the traditional dances, grallers (traditional musicians), and the Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro will also participate.

The parish banner and the Tabernacle of Sant Bartomeu will be carried by the Cos de Portants de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla.

The Standard Bearer for Sant Bartomeu's banner will be Mr. Josep Maria Rosés i Castro, who has appointed Marc Rosés i Bartés, Gerard Rosés i Bartés, Laia Rosés i Bartés, and Marta Vidal i Blay as his assistants.

 

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera, Nou, Major, Plaça del Ajuntament, and Baluard.

 

 

As the religious procession passes along Passeig de la Ribera, the patron saint of the town will be saluted with firing mortars and bell ringing. The Cobla Sitgetana will perform the sardanas "Els Gegants de Sitges" by Maestro Tomàs Gil i Membrado and the "Processó de Sant Bartomeu" by Maestro Antoni Català i Vidal.

 

Entry of Sant Bartomeu into the Parish Church 

Upon the procession's arrival at the Baluard, the dances, traditional performances, musicians, and a human tower by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges will surround the Tabernacle, making a final homage to our patron, while fireworks explode and the bells ring during the most emotional entrance of Sant Bartomeu into the Parish Church.

Following this, inside the church, there will be a closing prayer.

 

Final Dance of the Bèsties de Foc  i Gegants (fire beasts and giants) 

Immediately following the closing prayer, in front of the Town Hall, there will be the final dance of the Fire Beasts and Giants to bid farewell to the traditional acts until Saint Tecla's day.

 

Festa Major Concerts

Starting from 12:30 am / Passeig de la Ribera

Featuring the band GERTRUDIS and DJ ENKA.

 

SUNDAY 25th AUGUST

Jornada de portes obertes als Museus

Open House at the Museums

From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Cau Ferrat Museum and Maricel Museum.

From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Stämpfli Foundation.

From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Ship Room, Palau de Maricel. Exhibition "La Figura emmarcada. Les obres de la Col·lecció Casacuberta Marsans."

Organized by: Museus de Sitges

 

Sant Lli Vermouth

12:00 pm / Retiro Gardens

Featuring a musical performance by ATOMIK FUNK.

In collaboration with the Societat Recreativa El Retiro.

 

Mass for the Deceased of Our Town

7:30 pm / Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla

We are invited to remember those who joyfully celebrated our festival with us. We pray that they may live in eternal joy.

 

Castellers Exhibition of Festa Major

6:00 pm / Plaça de l’Ajuntament

A performance with the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, Minyons de Terrassa, and Xiquets del Serrallo.

Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

 

Sant Bartomeu Organ Concert

9:00 pm / Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla

Sant Bartomeu organ concert, performed by Marcel Martínez (Tübingen, Germany).

Voluntary financial contribution.

 

Summer Dinner

9:00 pm / Casino Prado Gardens

Dinner-show with the presentation of the 2024 Pubillatge of the entity.

Tickets can be purchased at cor at casinoprado.cat the entity's office.

Organized by: Casino Prado Suburense.

 

MONDAY 26th AUGUST

Closing Sardana Night 

10:15 PM / Sant Sebastià Beach

With the Cobla Maricel. There will be a tasting of coca (a traditional pastry) and moscatell (a sweet wine) for all attendees. The Festa Major will conclude with a small fireworks display.