Festivals in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Local festivals in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Vilanova's calendar has three principal reference points: the Sant Antoni Tres Tombs, Carnival and the Mare de Déu de les Neus Festa Major.
Usual celebration
Tres Tombs are usually celebrated around 17 January with the blessing of animals and a parade of carts, horse-drawn carriages and mounts along Rambla Principal and other streets. Associació dels Tres Tombs organises the event with farmers, descendants of muleteers, animal owners, musicians and spectators. Carnival has moving dates, lasts several days and weekends, and is marked by satire and Comparses in which couples follow their associations' flags.
The Festa Major honours Mare de Déu de les Neus and ends on 6 August, with the 4th and 5th forming its traditional core. Plaça de la Vila, Plaça de les Neus, Rambla Principal and other places host the invitation to the festival, twelve morterets, correfocs, cercaviles, dances and entremesos, castellers, concerts and family activities. The Pabordia, Town Hall and popular-culture associations organise it with colles, local groups, residents and visitors.
Programme for 2026
The 2026 edition retained the traditional events and added Ball de la Lluna, a drone show at Plaça del Port, Gran Batalla, Splash Vermut, Sunset al Port, Ball de Vigília Millennial and concerts by Alfred García, Elena Gadel and Manu Guix. The programme strengthened accessibility with sign language, reserved spaces, a quiet section in the cercavila and support for blind people.
Local public holidays in 2026
The municipal calendar sets 17 January, Sant Antoni Abat, and 5 August, Mare de Déu de les Neus, as the local public holidays in 2026. These are the two local non-working days; neither the whole Carnival nor the full Festa Major programme is therefore non-working.
Other cultural events
Christmas and Epiphany, Sant Jordi, Sant Joan, Sant Pere and the Geltrú festivals complete the cultural calendar in districts, squares and municipal venues.