Minerva 2026 Celebrates Local Pride Under the Moon

The Festa Major de Calella, known as La Minerva, will launch tonight with a proclamation by the Unió Esportiva Handbol Calella (UEHC), marking Calella’s designation as the Catalan Handball City. The event takes place at 21:00 in the town square and features the traditional solemn dance of the city’s giants, Quirze and Minerva, under a moon-themed spectacle. This year’s festival theme, 'I ♥ Calella', promotes local pride across all ages. The beachfront marquee, newly decorated with illuminated jellyfish and a maritime theme, will serve as a hub for nightly free concerts and community gatherings.

Wednesday Brings Blessing and Fairground Opening

On Wednesday 23 September, the local holiday, Bishop Octavi Vilà of Girona will preside over the Festival Mass at the Parish Church and bless the new Santa Maria bell. Later that afternoon at 17:00, the 45th edition of the Fira de Calella i l’Alt Maresme opens on Passeig Manuel Puigvert. The fair’s monographic focus celebrates the towns of the Maresme region, both coastal and inland, including Alella, Arenys de Mar, Argentona, Mataró and Tordera. For the first time, the fair inauguration includes a formal opening speech, or pregó, delivered by popular Mataró-born actor Joan Pera, attended by Alícia Romero, Catalonia’s Minister for Economy and Finance.

We will reclaim who we are and where we come from, the pride and feeling of belonging to the Maresme,” said organisers.

Nightly Music and Community Events

The beach marquee hosts five consecutive nights of live music and DJ sets. Tonight’s lineup includes Dani6ix & Izzkid, The Tyets, Orquestra Marivel, and DJ Jorge Peñafiel. Subsequent nights feature Verbena’m, Els Catarres, Orquestra Di-Versiones, and an all-female finale with Aina da Silva, Les Que Falta Band, and DJ Lia Jensen, all free to attend. Local traditions continue throughout the week with the pubillatge renewal, a homemade dish tasting, an aioli contest, and a human towers (castellers) event featuring groups from Terrassa, Cornellà, and Calella’s own Maduixots. Visitors are encouraged to visit the hospital vermouth tent run by Fundació Amics i Voluntaris de l’Hospital, located next to the main stage, offering a social highlight at midday or 17:00.

Enhanced Security and New Attractions

The local council has announced increased judicial pursuit of repeat offenders during the festivities. Meanwhile, the Municipal Police will double patrols at the beach marquee on concert nights to ensure public safety. A new 30-metre pendulum ride is the highlight of the amusement fair, drawing families and thrill-seekers alike. Weather forecasts predict clear skies and summer-like temperatures throughout the week, ideal for outdoor events. Residents and visitors can consult the full Minerva 2026 programme via Ràdio Calella Televisió.

Reported by radiocalellatv.cat.