The Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most eagerly awaited summer events on the Costa Brava. During the last week of June (around 29 June, the feast day of St Peter), the streets of the town come alive with music, flowers and colour.
This celebration, which combines religious and popular traditions, has its origins in the Middle Ages, when local fishermen honoured their patron saint, St Peter, with processions and festivities.
Over the centuries, the festival has incorporated unique elements such as the Cantada d'Havaneres and the spectacular night of the cremada.
Today, the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell is a benchmark of Catalan popular culture, attracting visitors from all over Spain and beyond.
Stay at our Luxury Accommodation in Costa Brava and let yourself be enveloped by the magic of a festival that has turned Calella into a benchmark of Catalan popular culture.
We invite you to discover this celebration, which perfectly complements other nearby destinations such as Llafranc and Tamariu.
🎉 What does the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell represent for the region and for The Sun Places?
The Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell represents the festive soul of Empordà, where tradition is experienced with joy and authenticity.
For Calella de Palafrugell, it is the most important event of the year, reinforcing the sense of community and attracting visitors from around the world.
For Empordà, it is an example of how popular traditions can coexist with quality tourism.
And for The Sun Places, the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell embodies the luxury of authenticity and shared joy: the luxury of taking part in a centuries-old celebration, enjoying open-air concerts with the sea as a backdrop, strolling through the decorated streets and feeling the excitement of the night of la Cremada.
Our Luxury Accommodation in Costa Brava are located near this enclave, and we can arrange exclusive experiences for you during the festival, such as bookings at the best restaurants, private transfers and access to the best spots to enjoy the concerts and fireworks.
We are committed to festive, relaxed and exclusive tourism.
🎶 The Cantada d'Havaneres: the musical heart of the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell
The quintessential musical event of the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell is the Cantada d'Havaneres, held on the first Saturday of July at Port Bo beach.
This concert, which began in 1966, has become one of the most important references of this genre in Catalonia and Spain. The 2026 edition will be the 59th and will take place on Saturday 4 July at Port Bo Beach.
The havaneres, a song that travelled back and forth between Catalonia and the Caribbean, are the soul of this celebration. The lyrics speak of sailors, distant loves and the nostalgia of those who emigrated to Cuba, and its slow, deep rhythm creates a unique atmosphere that connects attendees with Calella's seafaring history.
The night culminates with the performance of hymns such as "La Bella Lola" and "El meu avi", which the audience passionately chants, turning the cantada into a moment of communion and shared emotion.
To enjoy this spectacle with maximum comfort, we recommend booking a table at a beach bar or hiring a private dinner on one of the terraces with sea views.
We invite you to read our guide on Calella de Palafrugell and its coves to learn more about this corner.
🔥 The night of the "cremada": fire, music, sardines and Ron Cremat
The night of 9 July is the most anticipated moment of the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell: the night of la Cremada.
That night, the locals build a large bonfire on Port Bo beach, symbolising purification and rebirth. The bonfire is the centre of the celebration, but it is not alone.
Around it, Ron Cremat is prepared, a traditional drink made by flaming rum with coffee, sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel. The fire of the rum mingles with that of the bonfire, creating a warm and festive atmosphere that invites camaraderie.
Around the bonfire, dances, songs and all kinds of festive activities are organised. La Cremada is also an opportunity to taste the local gastronomy: sardines and other fish are grilled, and wine from the DO Empordà and cava are served.
The night of la Cremada is a moment of communion and joy that unites locals and visitors in an atmosphere of celebration and fraternity. It is, without a doubt, one of the most magical moments of the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell.
🕊️ Religious traditions: the procession of St Peter
The Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell also has a deeply rooted religious component. St Peter's Day (29 June) is the patron saint of fishermen, and is celebrated with a maritime procession in which the image of the saint is carried by boat across the bay.
During the procession, the boats are decorated with flags and flowers, and the fishermen throw petals into the sea as a sign of devotion.
This tradition dates back centuries and is a testament to the deep relationship of the people of Calella with the sea.
The maritime procession is a visual and emotional spectacle well worth witnessing.
🎊 The festive atmosphere: streets, squares and activities for everyone at the Fiesta Mayor de Callela de Palafrugell
Beyond the main events, the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell is a hive of activities that fill the streets and squares of the town throughout the week.
Plaça del Port Bo becomes the epicentre of the celebration, with concerts of various styles, from traditional Catalan music to pop, rock and DJ sessions with music from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
Sardana dances, one of the most emblematic dances of Catalonia, are also organised, inviting locals and visitors to take part.
The little ones enjoy children's activities, workshops, games and street performances.
And for lovers of tradition, there is no shortage of correfocs (fire-run with devils), castells (human towers) and other displays of Catalan popular culture.
The atmosphere is joyful, welcoming and family-friendly, allowing you to experience the festival from the inside, sharing the joy of the people of Calella.
🏛️ Luxury can also be festive: exclusive experiences during the Fiesta Mayor with The Sun Places
The Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell is the perfect time to combine tradition with luxury. The Sun Places offers you exclusive experiences to experience it like never before:
- Bookings at the best restaurants with views of Port Bo beach to enjoy the concerts and la Cremada from a private terrace.
- Sunset private boat ride to watch the festival from the sea, with cava and music on board.
- Private dinner at a luxury beach bar during the night of la Cremada, with a tasting menu of local products and Ron Cremat prepared by an expert.
- Private transfer from your accommodation so you don't have to worry about parking and can enjoy the festival at your leisure.
- Guided tour of the Sant Pere church and the most emblematic corners of the town, with a local historian who will explain the history of the festival.
If you fancy complementing your visit, don't miss the Pals Rice Fields or the Montgrí Natural Park.
🗓️ Perfect plan with The Sun Places to experience the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell
Fancy experiencing the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell with all the comfort? We propose a 2-day itinerary:
Day 1 (Arrival and Cantada d'Havaneres):
- Afternoon: Walk through the streets of Calella, visit to Sant Pere church and the port.
- Night: Attend the Cantada d'Havaneres at Port Bo beach. Dinner at a beach bar with reserved table.
Day 2 (Maritime procession, concerts and cremada):
- Morning: Attend the St Peter's procession (29 June) or religious events at Sant Pere church.
- Lunch at a restaurant with sea views.
- Afternoon: Sunset private boat ride to see the festival from the sea.
- Night: Enjoy la Cremada and the party on the beach. Private dinner with Ron Cremat and grilled sardines.
- Luggage collection and transfer to the airport.
Day 3 (If you have more time, we will propose other alternatives)
📌 Practical tips for enjoying the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell in style
- Book your accommodation with The Sun Places at least 3 months in advance, as the festival attracts many visitors.
- The dates of the Fiesta Mayor are around 29 June (St Peter's Day). Check the official programme to confirm the exact dates.
- Parking in Calella is limited during the festival. We recommend arriving by private transfer or leaving your car in Palafrugell and using the shuttle bus.
- Wear comfortable clothes and suitable footwear for walking on the cobbled streets and the beach.
- Don't miss the chance to try Ron Cremat and grilled sardines during the night of the cremada.
- Make the most of The Sun Places concierge services to organise restaurant bookings, private transfers and bespoke experiences.
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your luxury getaway to the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell.
We advise you on the best accommodation, festive and gastronomic experiences so you can experience the tradition of Empordà with maximum comfort.
CEO's word: At The Sun Places we have experienced the Fiesta Mayor de Calella de Palafrugell on several occasions, and each time it moves us just as much. It is one of those celebrations where joy, music and tradition come together in an environment of incomparable beauty. I encourage you to discover it and let yourself be carried away by its magic.
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