Festa Major de Banyuls sur Mer

(Each town and village celebrates its own patron saint, usually held over several days, with music and dancing, fireworks and some or all of the traditions below.)

The festa major dedicated to Banyuls Patron Saint Jean Baptiste, is a week of Catalan summer celebrations complete with sardanes, music, dancing, beach games for kids, funfair, BBQs, giants, an Espadrille Throwing Contest… 🙂 

Full program

Every day until the end of August: Fairground fun – espace Méditerranée

Wednesday, August 20
Festa Catalana (postponed from Sunday, July 6) organized by El Foment de la sardana
Catalan craft market espace Méditerranée

• 11:00 a.m.: Parade of giants and cobla Les Casenoves
• 12:00 p.m.: 3 sardanes with the cobla Les Casenoves – Place Paul Reig
• 5:00 p.m.: Ballada de sardanes with the cobla Les Casenoves
• 7:00 p.m.: Cobla Tres Vents10:30 p.m.: Free outdoor movie screening on the central beach with “Un p’tit truc en plus,” organized with Cinémaginaire

Thursday, August 21

9:30 p.m.: Catalan folklore with the Alegria ballet accompanied by the Mil.lenaria cobla, presented by El Foment de la sardana, Place Paul Reig.

Friday, August 22
Banyuls Handball, in collaboration with the Town Hall, presents:

• 2:30 p.m.: Mixed beach handball tournament
• 5:00 p.m.: Espadrille Throwing Contest – Under 12, Women and Men.
• 7:00 p.m.: Giant fideua on the beach, seating available. Reservations at 06 26 13 15 38
• 9:30 p.m.: Concert with Solyrock, Place Paul Reig

Saturday, August 23rd

• 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.: Sardana dances, Place Paul Reig with the Principal del Rossello.
• Starting at 7:00 p.m.: Dinner provided by Als Senglars, central beach.
• 9:00 p.m.: Grand ball with the Sortie de secours orchestra, esplanade.
  Then, after the fireworks
• 10:00 p.m.: Grand fireworks display in Banyuls Bay

Sunday, August 24

• 9:30 a.m.: Traditional Festa Major Mass, St. John the Baptist Church.
• All day: Bouling Club Banyulenc competition (Lyon-style pétanque known as “longue”) “Grand Prix de la Ville,” Cap d’Osna boules court.
• 10:30 a.m.: Festa Major parade: Departure from the town hall, parade through the streets, wreath laying at the column (Place Paul Reig) and the War Memorial (Place Dina Vierny), speeches, convivial aperitif (Avenue Général de Gaulle).
• At 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.: Sardanas, Place Paul Reig, with the Sol de Banyuls cobla.
• 9:00 p.m.: Concert by the Alénya Roussillon Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bernard Salles, esplanade on the seafront.

MORE ABOUT BANYULS SUR MER