Festivals in L'Escala
Discover the main festivals and traditions of L'Escala, where the Festa Major, Festa de la Sal and Carnival express the town's maritime identity.
Local festivals in L'Escala
The Santa Màxima Festa Major is usually celebrated over several days between late August and early September. The opening speech brings residents together in the Town Hall and church squares, followed by street parades, giants, sardanes, barrack concerts, theatre and nautical activities at venues across the town. The Town Council, festival committee and local organisations sustain the programme.
Festa de la Sal and maritime memory
On the third Saturday in September, the beach at the old harbour hosts the Festa de la Sal. Founded in 1997 to commemorate the third centenary of the Alfolí salt warehouse, it recreates the arrival of salt ships and the daily life of fishing and salting families. Maritime crafts, traditional cooking, songs, dances such as the Ball del Drac and lateen-sail boats involve hundreds of volunteers.
Other celebrations: Carnival and Festa de l'Anxova
Carnival usually lasts for several days in February, with floats and groups parading through the town's avenues and streets, a dance, a communal meal and the burial of the sardine. On the first Sunday in October, the Festa de l'Anxova extends the maritime calendar with tastings, recognition of anchovy culture and activities linked to the harbour and the Anchovy and Salt Museum.