What does it involve
The Festa Major de Vilafranca is celebrated in honor of Sant Fèlix, the city’s patron saint, from 29 August to 2 September. For the conservation of its folklore and cultural richness, it has been declared a Heritage Festival of National Interest.
The ritual structure of the festival follows the festive model of the Penedès and the Camp de Tarragona based on parades and castellers (human-castles) exhibitions: parade in the morning, castellers at noon and procession in the afternoon-evening. This is the structure that is repeated on the three central days of the Festa Major, August 29, 30 and 31, and would not be understood without two heritage elements from which the traditional and folkloric side is formed: the pattern of the city, Sant Fèlix, and the Administrators, the five people in charge of organizing the party.
The Administrators have a very important role in all the festivities: they light the opening fireworks, enjoy the performances of the dances and the castle days from the balcony of the Town Hall, they go to procession carrying the banner of the Administrators, they close the procession of the saint...
On the other hand, the devotion of the city to Sant Fèlix and its Festa Major is indisputable: the Basilica is full to overflowing to listen to the Goigs, the people of Vilafranca want to take pictures with the saint, the picture that is given with the program of the Festival occupies a privileged place in all the homes of Vilafranca ... and this is reflected in the structure of the party.
We can divide the celebration into three different moments:
1. Days before the Festa Major
2. The three central days: 29, 30 and 31 August
3. The final: 1 and 2 September
