Celebrate the Winter Festival of Vila-seca, with BusPlana

Vila-seca dresses up to celebrate, once again this year, its Sant Antoni Winter Festival, with a very diverse programme, combining traditional events such as Cós de Sant Antoni and Tres Tombs, and other more modern ones, such as concerts by renowned artists and children's activities.   

From the 16th to the 28th of January, this town offers a magnificent programme to enjoy with your family and friends. If you don't want to miss anything, BusPlana offers schedules of the regular lines, which you can check on our website to travel to Vila-seca from Salou, Tarragona, Reus or Cambrils without any worries. Remember that if you live in La Pineda or La Plana you can choose the city bus to move comfortably between the three population centres.  

Origin of the festival  

This festival is held around the 17th of January, the day of Sant Antoni Abat, patron saint of the town and of animals. Many municipalities celebrate this date, due to the past agricultural and livestock historic activity of these villages, as the main economic engine.  

The first evidence of this festivity dates to 1876, when the first opening speech was made during these festive dates, which also refers to the traditional horse race that takes place every year.  

Cós de Sant Antoni  

One of the most popular events of this winter festival is Cós de Sant Antoni, a horse race that is considered a Traditional Festive Element of National Interest, which takes place every year at Torre d'en Dolça horse-racing circuit, the municipal racecourse.  

In the past, when the race reached to it’s end they used to celebrate the blessing of animals, with the following route: the riders went towards 'Las cuatro carreteras’, and when they arrived back in Vila-seca, they passed through Plaça de Sant Antoni, Carrer de la Presó, Carrer de Sant Josep, Plaça de Manyà and Carrer Major.   

In the 2024 edition, the event will be held on Sunday, 21st of January. The first race, "Premi Torre d'en Dolça", will start at 12 p.m. In this race, English thoroughbred horses will gallop along a 1,700-metre circuit. The second competition, "Gran premi Ajuntament de Vila-seca" will start at 12:30 p.m. In this event, English thoroughbred horses will run, also at a gallop, 2,500 metres. Finally, at 1 p.m., "Premi Patronat Municipal de Turisme de Vila-seca" will be competed for, in the same way as in the first race.   

Opening speech 2024  

On Tuesday, 16th of January, at 8:15 p.m., the traditional opening speech of the Winter Festival will be given by Tomàs Grau Recto, from Vila-seca, the conductor and artistic director of Franz Schubert Philharmonia since its beginnings, in Josep Carreras Auditorium. At the end of this announcement, we will enjoy the concert by Händel Orchestra of the Municipal Conservatory of Music, conducted by Rafael Fabregat.  

Music for all tastes  

From the impressive works of orchestras to urban concerts and DJs, music is another of the most important elements of this festival.   

At the Municipal Sports Pavilion, you can enjoy the rhythm of urban music at ‘Nit Jove’, on the 16th of January, until 5 a.m., with DJ Moncho and DJ Meggy. If you're more into punk rock, don't miss the concert on the 19th of January, at 8 p.m., by the Vilasecan band Irreverentes. To keep the rhythm going at 11:30 p.m., we'll continue with the "ochentazos y noventazos" remember party, with performances by Marian Dacal and Eva Martí. 

The Tyets, a group currently on the rise among young people in the area, and La Cosina will be performing at 10 p.m., at the Municipal Sports Pavilion. The cost of the ticket, for those over 4 years old, is 15 €, at the box office, or 10 €, if you buy in advance on the website. At the same time, at 11 p.m., Grand Ball de Festa Major begins, with a performance by Costa Brava Orchestra, at Celler de Vila-seca.  

Other important events  

On the 17th of January Tres Tombs are held in honour of Sant Antoni, protector of animals. From 12 p.m., accompanied by Sones de Pasión band, horses, carts and other animals will be paraded through the streets of the town.   

On Saturday, 20th of January, we will have "La Nit del Foc". This festivity will start at 6:30 p.m. with Correfoc Petit, with the participation of Ball de Diables Infantil de Vila-seca and will end, after a whole evening of fire, at 8:30 p.m. with Correfoc with Víbria de Tarragona, Ball de Diables de Valls, Ball de Diables de Vila-seca, among others.   

To end this festive day on Costa Dorada, comes the II Edition of the Young Magic Evening, directed by Alex Vidal and Magic Pol, with the special collaboration of Cesc Arriols, winner of the world magic championship "FISM 2023" and the magicians El Magow and Mireia and Christian Cooker.  

Once again this year, the Winter Festival will allow the Soldó as a method of payment. The coin is named after a limestone that abounds in the town and with which many buildings in the historic centre of the town and part of the port of Tarragona were built.   

To travel to Vila-seca, on Costa Dorada, from cities such as Tarragona, Reus, Salou, Cambrils, Barcelona Airport or Barcelona, you can check schedules of BusPlana regular lines at www.empresaplana.cat. Remember that, if you live in La Pineda or La Plana, you can opt for the city bus to get around the three centres of the town.