PROGRAM FESTA MAJOR 2023

Tuesday 23rd August

La Vigília (The Eve)

EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU

From 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm till the start of the Civic Procession,  (Ermita de Sant Sebastià)

ENTRADA DE GRALLERS ( Arrival of the "Grallers" )

12.00h Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Major and plaça de l’Ajuntament

The different groups offer their inaugural concert in tribute to the founders of the Festa Major. Participation of “grallers” of Escola de Grallers de Sitges, Marcets, La Sitja, Colla Maricel, and the groups of “sacaires”, Joan Olarte, Víctor Berbegal and Miquel Acunya. 

21 MUSKETS ARE FIRED AND THE PARISH CHURCH BELLS ARE RUNG

14.00h Playa de la Fragata

By Ball de Cercolets de l’Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

SARDANAS

14.00h Cap de la Vila

Two emblematic Sitges sardanas are danced: “La processó de Sant Bartomeu” (The Procession of Sant Bartomeu) by the maestro Antoni Català and “La Festa Major”, by Enric Morera, played by Cobla Maricel.

PARADE OF TRADITIONAL POPULAR DANCES

14.00h Plaça de l'Ajuntament

 Starting at Plaça de l'Ajuntament: Gegants, Cabeçuts, Drac, Àliga, Diables, Bastons, Cercolets, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cintes, Gitanes and Moixiganga, accompanied by the musical group Suburband Retiro.

At the Cap de la Vila, the Moixiganga will perform the complete dance.

EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE OF “BALLS PARLATS” (the "balls parlats" are the recitation of verses of some of the popular dances)

14.30h Hort de Can Falç 

Arriving at Hort Can Falç,  In honor of the authorities and the citizens, all the groups will perform the full dances and there will be “Balls Parlats” (speeches/recitation of verses): Ball de diables, Ball de Cercolets, Ball de Gitanes and Ball de Pastorets). 

Simultaneously some groups will visit the Sant Joan Baptista Hospital

CASTELLES EXHIBITION  (Human Towers)

18.00h Cap de la Vila

By Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

CIVIC PROCESSION

19.00h From the home of the president of the Comisión de Festa Major, Marta Casterad Farreras. 

The group of traditional dancers and musicians and the authorities, will recover the shrine of Sant Bartomeu from the place designated by the “pendonista” of the Festa Major 2023, group of ex-Geganters dels Gegants Vells de Sitges, and they will accompany it to the parish church.

Route: Josep Tarradelles i Joan, Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer, Plaça Hospital, Camí dels Capellans, Carretera de les Costes, Aragó, Sant Honorat, Pont dels Ocells, Pompeu Fabra, Plaça Dr. Robert, Avinguda Balmins, Port Alegre, Davallada, Plaça del Ajuntament i Baluard.

In front of the doors of the parish church, the popular dances receive the image of Sant Bartomeu which, accompanied by the authorities, the “Pendonista” and “Cordonistes” will be placed in the presbytery to preside over the liturgies of the festival. 

FIREWORKS

23.00h From la Punta (Parish), La Fragata and the breakwaters

By Pirotècnia Igual S.A. 

CASTELL DE FOC EN CALMA (Fireworks in calm)

23.00h Passeig de la Ribera

(in front of Pic-Nic Restaurant, on the sea side)

During the pyrotechnic show, the fireworks may be viewed from a private seating area, where attendees will enjoy a tasting of a glass of cava Maria Casanovas Brut de Brut.

Space is limited and it is advised to purchase tickets in advance from the Commission stand or at Quiosc de l'Alba.

People with reduced mobility must also formalize their reservation in advance at the aforementioned points.

Collaboration: Perbacco and Cava Maria Casanovas.

THE DESCENT OF THE STAIRS BY THE POPULAR DANCES

Once the fireworks are over, the popular dances descend the “La Punta” stairs 

Parade to El Greco Monument and back to Carrer Nou.

SARDANAS EVE

From midnight at Cap de la Vila

With Cobla Sitgetana.

Concerts of the Eve (Festa Major concerts)

From midnight, on La Fragata beach

With Frik Rok y DJ Bulma..

Saturday 24th August

Diada de Sant Bartomeu Apóstol, Patron Saint of Sitges

JOYFUL AND FESTIVE “MATINAL”

6h From Baluard Miquel Utrillo i Morlius

The "matinal" begins early in the morning, and the folkloric dances and musicians with the “charanga” Buskant el To, follow an itinerary through the streets of town while flowers are handed out to lady spectators by "la Comissió de Festa Major". People can join in the "ball de faixes" (one must be dressed in white and wear "espardenyes de betes" (espadrilles with ribbons) and a "faixa" (waistband in the fashion of the castellers).

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 Ajuntament. 

SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF SANT BARTOUMEU

10.30h Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla

Presided over by Father Josep Pausas, rector. This year, the group of Ball de Cabeçuts de l'Agrupació de Balls Poulars, will make the offering to Sant Bartomeu. At the end of the celebration, song of the “Goigs” (praises) of the Saint by the Choir of the Amics del Orgue and veneration of the relic.

EXIT FROM MASS

After the celebration of mass, from the Baluard to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Musical parade of the Band, which will accompany the authorities to the Town Hall. Then, all the dances and their respective musicians will perform, together with the Cobla Maricel and the Suburband del Retiro Music Group, in one of the most magical moments of the festivities.

After the performance of the popular dances, the band will perform "Els Segadors", the national hymn of Catalonia.

EXHIBICIÓN CASTELLERA

12.30h Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Performed by Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

After the exhibition, presentation of the Pubilla and Hereu of the Colla Jove de Castellers 2023 at Palau del Rei Moro.

CONCERT- VERMOUTH OF FESTA MAJOR

13.00h After the exit of mass

Sociedad Recreativa El Retiro with Banda Suburband

Casino Prado with la Cobla Maricel.

SANT BARTOMEU’S PROCESSION

19.30h From Baluard

Circuit around town with the authorities, the Saint and the folkloric dances and musicians, accompanied by all the Sitgetanas and Sitgetans who wish it. The rector of the parish, Mn. Josep Pausas y Mas will preside over the processional act joined by the Illustrious Town Hall dignataries.

The popular dances, grallers and the Suburband del Retiro will precede the tabernacle. The tabernacle, with the image of the Saint, will be taken by the “Costaleros” of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. The Flag of Sant Bartomeu shall be carried by the pendonista Toni Muñoz Suárez, who has named as Cordonistes: David Muñoz Berdala and Jordi Muñoz Berdala.

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, plaza de Ayuntamiento and Baluard. 

As the procession advances along the Paseo de la Ribera, the religous procession will be saluted by firing mortars and the ringing of bells, La Cobla Sitgetana will interpret the sardanas “Els Gegants de Sitges” composed by Tomàs Gil i Membrado and “La Processó de Sant Bartomeu”, composed by Antoni Català i Vidal. 

SANT BARTOMEU RETURNS TO THE PARISH CHURCH

When the Saint is being returned to the parish church, in the plaza del Baluard in front of the church all the fires and crackers are lit, the dances are carried out to their respective music and a small firework display takes place. It is, in all probability, one of the most emotional and awe inspiring moments of the fiesta. 

Then, inside the church, closing prayer.

The public capacity in the Baluard is limited. For security reasons, in case of reaching the maximum capacity allowed, only those who participate in the procession will be allowed access to the square. 

LAST DANCE OF THE “BÈSTIES DE FOC” AND GEGANTS (Beasts of fire and giants)

With the Saint restored to the parish church, the gegants, drac and àliga (papier-mâché giants, dragons and eagle) dance their farewell at Plaça de l'Ajuntament.

Festa Major Concerts

00h La Fragata beach

With Coco y The Papa's & the Popo's