Festa Major

Forget about back-to-school blues with the Festa Major, a celebration of the rich diversity of France.

Sardanes, music and tradition…. Three days of fête in this Festa Major, which takes place annually around the vendanges.

Each year the festival brings together representatives of different French regions : Catalonia, Brittany, the Basque country, Aveyron and more… each adding their own unique flavours to the party.

Over three days, numerous concerts, shows and other entertainment will guide visitors through the very best of these diverse cultures. Young and old can enjoy the various activities in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Whether it’s the Castellers, the parade of Gegants or the equestrian show featuring a Camargue cattle herd,  the weekend promises to be full of surprises!

♦ Workshops for children
♦ Apéritif concert
♦ Giants’ parade
♦ Sardanes and coblas
♦ Basque singing
♦ Castellers
♦ Games
♦ Local produce market with over 40 stands
♦ Heritage parade

FESTA MAJOR 2026

 A celebration of traditions and local heritage!

Experience 3 days of festivities in Saint-Cyprien in a friendly, festive and musical atmosphere: concerts, coblas, gegants, traditional dance performances, sardanes, castellers, gastronomy and folklore from here and elsewhere await you.

Every year, in the heart of the village of Saint-Cyprien, the Festa Major invites residents and visitors to share a unique experience of conviviality and cultural discovery. This emblematic festival celebrates regional traditions, traditional craftsmanship and the richness of French local produce. Join us from September 18 to 20, 2026, for 3 days of festivities!

For three days, Place de la République becomes the setting for a complete immersion in Catalan, Basque and Breton cultures — and, new this year, Camargue traditions, with an impressive equestrian show by the manade. The streets come alive to the rhythm of folk dances, traditional music and colourful parades. Visitors can also admire the spectacular human towers performed by the castellers.

The Local Produce Market: A Gourmet Invitation

The Festa Major is also a celebration of flavours. The local produce market brings together around forty stalls where producers and artisans showcase the very best of their regions. Breton delicacies and cheeses, Espelette peppers and many other specialities await food lovers. Food areas will be set up so visitors can enjoy these dishes on site in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is the perfect opportunity to discover authentic local products and meet the passionate people who create them.

PROGRAMME

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

6:00 pm: Official opening and start of the event

Throughout the evening: Exhibition of vintage photographs in the fishermen’s hut, with the association Els Mariners Cebrianencs

Parade in traditional Catalan costumes with Le Temps du Costume Roussillonnais

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Giant traditional wooden games

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Banda music and street performances

8:00 pm: Catalan Rumba concert with Peret Reynes

9:00 pm: Dinner at the heart of the event: village restaurants, bodegas…

10:30 pm: Concert by “Les Vrillés”

12:00 am: End of the evening

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

10:00 am: Festa Major opening

Throughout the day: Banda Sol de Banyuls and exhibition of vintage photographs in the fishermen’s hut, with the association Els Mariners Cebrianencs

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Musical entertainment with Banda du Sud

10:00 am: Lecture by Lluis Dagues, “Understanding the Linguistic Situation in Northern Catalonia from 1945 to the Present Day”, at the Saint-Cyprien Collections

10:00 am – 9:00 pm: Giant traditional wooden games

11:00 am: Demonstration of traditional Camargue hairstyling by the Arlésiennes dancers

11:30 am: Choir performance by “Les Vespilles de la Xarxa”, accompanied by Ramon Gual

12:00 pm: Les Vrillés street performance

12:30 pm: Arlésiennes dancers street performance

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Musical entertainment with Banda du Sud

3:30 pm: Parade of cap grossos and gegantets performed by children from the town and the MDJ

4:00 pm: Arlésiennes dancers street performance

4:15 pm: Official baptism/ceremony of the gegantets on stage

5:00 pm: Castells with Aire Nou de Bao

5:00 pm: Les Vrillés street performance

5:00 pm: Basque polyphonic concert – Church

6:30 pm: Arlésiennes dancers street performance

7:00 pm: Equestrian show “La Passassioun” with Manade Bilhau

7:00 pm: Les Vrillés street performance

9:00 pm: Dinner at the heart of the event: village restaurants, bodegas…

9:30 pm: Les Vrillés street performance

10:00 pm: Concert

10:00 pm: Crémat

12:00 am: End of the evening

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

10:00 am: Opening

Throughout the day: Exhibition of vintage photographs in the fishermen’s hut, with the association Els Mariners Cebrianencs

Parade in traditional Catalan costumes with Le Temps du Costume Roussillonnais

10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Banda music and street performances

10:00 am: Les Vrillés street performance

10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Giant traditional wooden games

11:00 am: Mass accompanied by Cobla Les Casenoves

11:00 am: Seville-style and rumba dance performance

11:45 am: Les Vrillés street performance

12:45 pm: Gegants parade

1:00 pm: Lunch at the heart of the event: village restaurants, bodegas, grilled prawns with the association Terra I Mar

1:30 pm: Les Vrillés street performance

3:00 pm: Basque concert – Place de la République

4:30 pm: Sardanes with Cobla Les Casenoves – Town Hall Square

6:00 pm: End of the event

Programme available at: Saint-Cyprien Tourist Office – Festa Major

Saint-Cyprien Tourist Office information: +33 (0)4 68 21 01 33

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