The 437th edition of the Festes de Sant Roc, recognised as a Heritage Festival of National Interest and the oldest continuous festival in Barcelona, will take place from Wednesday, 12 August to Sunday, 16 August 2026 in Plaça Nova, directly in front of the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter.
Organised by the Associació de Festes de la Plaça Nova, the festivities offer a packed programme for all ages, including community gatherings, traditional games, folk dance groups (esbarts), habaneras, puppet shows, giant parades, correfocs (fire runs) and dance nights. The event has been held annually since 1589, making it a cornerstone of Barcelona’s cultural heritage.
Traditional Games and Iconic Elements
Central to the celebrations are long-standing traditions such as La Cucanya, a game where participants slide across a greased pole to reach a prize without falling into water below. Another highlight is the Porró Llarg, a 55 cm spouted wine pitcher that challenges drinkers to pour without spilling. The sweet staple of the festival, panellets, has been served since 1869 and remains a must-try treat during the event.
Centenary Giants and Restoration
This year marks the 120th anniversary of Laieta and Roc, the two centenary giants of Sant Roc, originally built in 1906 at the El Arte Cristiano workshop in Olot. After an extensive study and restoration process, the figures, standing at 2.95 m and 3.05 m respectively, return with a renewed appearance. They are considered the oldest active giants in Barcelona, having only paused during the Spanish Civil War.
The giants are silent witnesses to war, urban change and tourism, yet they remain a living history of the neighbourhood.
In recent years, lost figures have been revived: the capgròs Beco, last seen in the 1960s, was recreated in 2023 using historical photographs and craftsmanship from Casserras Sculpture Workshop in Solsona. The association plans to restore other traditional characters, including Tano, a Roma street vendor.
Honouring Women and Community
The 2026 programme pays tribute to the women who have long sustained the festival and local community behind the scenes, acknowledging their contributions despite centuries of invisibility. This recognition is part of a broader effort to reflect the full social fabric of the district.
To support attendees during peak summer heat, shaded areas and water stations will be available in Plaça Nova throughout the festival days.
More details on the full schedule, including performances, workshops and family activities, can be found on the official website of the Associació de Festes de la Plaça Nova.
Primary sources: barcelona.cat. Reported by elperiodico.com, David León Himelfarb, beteve.cat, ca.wikipedia.org, racocatala.cat, ARA, xarxanet.org, plnova.cat, Barcelona Metropolitan, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life, El Periódico Barcelona.
