Sant Magí de Tarragona Festival 2023 is back with more than 140 events

This August, Tarragona is once again celebrating Sant Magí Festival 2023, with a great programme of activities and shows for the enjoyment of residents and visitors who decide to spend a few days in the provincial capital. From the 12th to 19th of August, more than 140 events will take place in the streets of the city, characterised, especially, by the great participation of local entities and their traditional character.  

At BusPlana, we provide the schedules of the regular lines, which you can check on our website so that you can travel to Tarragona, from Salou, Vila-seca La Pineda, Cambrils, Valls or Reus, without any worries. You can also consult the night bus schedules, so you can move around with peace of mind. 

News  

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the revival of the Sant Magí Water Descent, with carts and horses, this year the Waterbearers are presenting a new banner and the commemorative earthenware pitcher, which will be present on the 18th and 19th at the arrival of the water and in the procession of the patron saint. 

In addition, from this year's edition, the traditional Verbena Remojada will be replaced by the Verbena Iluminada (Illuminated open-air dance), in accordance with responsible water consumption. In this sense, symbolic elements will take part again this year, such as the Watermelon, the pitcher, the Pilgrim's Shell and the Chariot, which will form part of a spectacle of lights and music. The event will take place on Friday 18th of August at 11:30 p.m. Also, as a novelty, there will be another open-air dance aimed at a more family-oriented audience, which will take place a few hours earlier, at 9 p.m. 

Music  

During this edition, iMAGInada celebrates its 15th anniversary with a series of events from 11th to 15th of August at Camp de Mart. The opening show will take place on 11th of August at 9 p.m., with the participation of La Im.perfecta, CIA LABIGOTUDA, ÁKRIDA and Xavier Vallverdú.  

There will be concerts and performances by artists such as Clara Peya, with a solo piano & electronica performance; SoundSystem by Dr. Dubwiser Live Dub; La Kultural; Berta Sala Riba; Komando Sound; Fauna; Maio; and JazzWoman; among many others.   

There will also be disco sessions with renowned DJs, such as the Capri Session and the remember session with local DJs. The 24th Capsa Music Festival, with live music, and with Senyor Oca as the headliner, among other artists, will take place on 18th of August.   

On the other hand, the vermouths, such as the 'Populart' by Damas y Viejos, with DJ Betterman, and the vermouth graller and musical, both on 12th of August; or the vermouth with a Cuban flavour, with the Yawar Group, on 15th of August, among others. 

Remember that BusPlana offers a comfortable and sustainable alternative to enjoy all these events. You can check all available schedules on our website, just click here.  

For families  

Tarragona has organised a series of activities aimed at families, such as the activity to discover Roman Tarragona, from the 12th to 20th of August, with prior registration, at itinere@turismedetarragona.com or by calling 977 23 96 57. Also, the most charitable Sindriada, to raise funds for Cruz Roja Tarragona, on 10th and 12th of August; the guided visit to the Casa de la Fiesta, on 12th of August; and the story 'The true story of the king who had a red nose', by El Invisible, Puppet Company.  

Also, the Petita Moby Dick show, by the Eudald Ferré Company - puppet and mask theatre -, which will be performed on 14th and 15th of August, in different sessions; the face painting and balloon twisting activities, on 15th of August. And, to raise awareness of castellera culture among children, there will be various activities, with inflatables and fun games on this theme. 

Other festive and popular culture activities  

Among the extensive programme, the VIII Encuentro de Gigantes y Nanos (8th Gathering of Giants and Dwarfs), with many local and invited groups, on 12th of August, from 5.30 p.m., from the Rambla Nova to the Plaça del Rey; and the Pla de Sant Magí de Tarragona dance, by the Esbart Dansaire, also on 12th August. On the days leading up to the big day of the festivities, you can watch the rehearsals of the "colles castelleras" (groups of castellers).   

Diada de Sant Magí, 19th August  

On the 18th of August, the eve of the Diada de Sant Magí, you can enjoy the arrival of the water from the Brufaganya, from 7 p.m. onwards, from the Plaça de la Font to the Portal del Carro, accompanied by the popular elements. 

There will also be a salute to the water by the collas castelleras, and a dance of giants, with the Negritos giants, the Moorish Giants, the Old Giants of the city and the Cós del Bou, the brass band and the baton dances. That same night, Sant Magí festival will be held, with Cat Rock and Popurris Band, in the Plaça de la Font; as well as the Verbena Iluminada (Illuminated open-air dance).   

During the whole of the big day, 19th of August, earthenware pitchers and traditional measures will be available for purchase at the Portal del Carro. The events will begin with the matinees, starting at 7 a.m., followed by the traditional breakfast, the "bastón". Afterwards, there will be the maritime procession and the placing of Sant Magí by the SES Tarragona divers; as well as the solemn mass of Sant Magí; and the castellers exhibition, by Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo and Castellers de Sant Pere i Sant Pau. 

In the afternoon, at 7 p.m., the procession of Sant Magí will take place. The route will end with the entrance of Sant Magí in the chapel of the Portal del Carro, with pyrotechnic fire and the ascent of the pillars on foot of the collas castelleras, up to the Plaça de la Font.   

Sant Magí Festival 2023 will culminate with the mattress party, which will include concerts by Pascual and Els Desnatats, and music by DJ Margarida and DJ Petardeig, in Plaça del Rei.   

To travel to Tarragona, you can check the schedules of the regular BusPlana lines at empresaplana.cat. Remember that there are also different night schedules available, to come from towns such as Salou, Vila-seca La Pineda, Cambrils, Valls or Reus.