Ulldecona Festes Majors and Mare de Déu de la Pietat
Ulldecona's Festes Majors combine an opening address, pubilles and pubills, music, sport and popular culture with observances dedicated to the municipality's patron, the Mare de Déu de la Pietat.
Usual date
The ordinary pattern runs from the final weekend of August through the first week of September, followed by the novena and the patronal solemnity around 12 September. In 2026 the central festival lasts from 29 August to 6 September, with preliminary and religious events on either side.
Where they are held
Events spread across the town centre — Plaça de l'Església, Plaça Catalunya, Plaça Sales i Ferré, Plaça Diputació, Carrer Major, the sports centre, bullring, Teatre Orfeó Montsià and sports grounds — as well as heritage sites such as the Castell and the Ermita de la Pietat.
Devotion to the Pietat
The municipal account records that the image and hermitage were destroyed in 1936. Local artist Vicente Barrera made a new image, solemnly blessed on 31 August 1939. The novena, street decorations and transfer to the hermitage took shape that year, when the Town Council also agreed that the image should be brought down to the town every five years.
Ordinary Festes Majors and the Quinquennals
In 1964 the Festes Majors moved from October, around Sant Lluc, to September and the Mare de Déu de la Pietat. The Festes Quinquennals take place in years ending in 4 or 9: for nine days the image travels through Ulldecona's sectors while residents decorate streets and balconies before it returns to the hermitage. The 2024 edition was a Quinquennal; the next is due in 2029.
The Quinquennals were declared a Traditional Festival of National Interest by the Catalan Government's agreement of 23 November 2010. The distinction applies to this five-year cycle rather than every ordinary edition.
Events and traditions
- The Ball de Mantons, also known as the Xim-xim or Jota d'Ulldecona, has children's, youth and adult sessions.
- Giants and grallers, the opening address, festival representatives, floats, confetti, sardanes, castells and fireworks fill the streets and squares.
- The programme includes concerts, dances, theatre, exhibitions, guided visits, sport and activities for different age groups.
- The novena, the Farolets procession, floral offering and solemn Mass at the Ermita de la Pietat shape the religious cycle.
- Street and arena bull events form part of the official traditional programme; arrangements and times should be checked for each edition.
Sources
Today's international trade fair
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