A quick look at what’s happening 25th-29th June

If you are even thinking about heading off on a trip in late June, stop right there. Every year, Sant Cugat delivers its annual festival and every year it is bigger and better.

The Festa Major celebrates Sant Pere, the town’s patron saint, whose feast day falls on Monday 29th June, stretching the festival an extra day this year to five full days of music, food and street life in squares and parks across town with over 200 activities from 82 organisations and a daily programme that runs from morning to well past midnight. This is not something you want to read about from a sun lounger somewhere else.

The festival opens on Thursday with the Ball d’Envelat at Plaça d’Octavià.

Music is the obvious headliner. And it’s all free.

The Tyets, Ginestà and Fetus top a bill that spans 64 live performances including bands, orchestras, choirs, karaoke, swing, jazz and havaneres. Friday is the big night with The Tyets at high voltage, De Mortimers returning with their live karaoke and Please delivering a U2 tribute.

Jazz fans should head to Plaça de Can Quitèria and look out for Colina Miralta Sambeat Trio and Alba Careta Group. Also we will have flamenco at the Modernist Celler and, appropriately in this location, a wine tasting.

Yet music is only part of the story.

The streets will fill with Correfocs and dances from the Gegants, Bastoners and Sardanes. On Saturday afternoon, the Castellers de Sant Cugat, the Gausacs, will raise their human towers in Plaça d’Octavià alongside the Terrassa and Vendrell groups. A spectacle not to be missed, and buy yourself a green T-shirt to show you belong!

Sunday 28th June brings the Concurs d’Arrossos, the paella competition that sees hundreds of groups cook rice over wood fires on the kerbside. It’s a lot harder than you think.

On Monday night, the Paga-li Joan dance, the Ball del Vano i el Ram, fills the Hort de l’Abat with flowers, fans and traditional costume in a dance ritual that has been passed between generations for centuries.

And to bring the whole thing to a close the most spectacular fireworks go off at 11 pm from Parc del Turó de Can Mates. But you can watch them from anywhere in Sant Cugat.

The full programme will be published on 15th June on the ajuntament website and on posters around town. Pick your highlights and plan your days. But the most important decision is the one to make right now: stay put and enjoy one of the finest weeks this town has to offer.