Valls is preparing to welcome 10,000 people for the first Calçofest festival this Saturday, 22 November. The event combines music, culture, and gastronomy, officially launching the calçotada season in the city.
Organised by Sala RedStar and Boom Boom Produccions, with support from Valls City Council, Tarragona Provincial Council, the Catalan Government, Valls Chamber of Commerce, and the Calçot de Valls Protected Geographical Indication, the festival has exceeded attendance expectations.
Final preparations are underway for the 5,000 m² marquee at Passeig President Tarradellas in the Fornàs neighbourhood. This venue will host concerts by Figa Flawas, The Tyets, Buhos, La Fúmiga, Els Catarres, Ginestà, Les Que Faltaband, Maria Jacobs, and DJ Trapella. The space will also include food areas and leisure zones for public comfort, according to organisers. They predict record attendance, with visitors coming from across Catalonia, solidifying Valls' position as a musical and gastronomic centre.
Popular Calçotada Sells Out
The popular calçotada, held at the Valls Agricultural Cooperative car park, sold out its 1,000 tasting tickets in advance. This shows strong public interest in participating. Additionally, several Valls restaurants are offering special promotions and discounts throughout the weekend, boosting the Calçofest's role in the city's economic and tourism activity.
Calçofest Matí will transform Valls' historic centre into a stage for various activities. El Pati will feature performances by the Passabarret circus company, Adagi and Infinity Dansa dance schools, magician Dario Proximity, and the Tàrraco Surfers cover band with Joan Reig on drums. Calçotada and DO Tarragona wine tastings will also be available, with local restaurateurs and city organisations taking part.
Improving Mobility for Attendees
To ensure a smooth and sustainable experience, the festival will offer a free shuttle bus service using the municipal bus. This service will connect the Bus Station, the Calçofest venue, and Sala RedStar, operating from 4pm to 7pm and from midnight to 4.30am. This aims to help visitors arrive and reduce traffic congestion.
The city is also preparing parking areas for the expected high number of vehicles. An exceptional 5,000 m² space at the former Ford factory, five minutes from the festival site, will be available for private cars. There will also be temporary road closures and an increased Local Police presence to manage traffic flow safely throughout the day.
With its full programme, Calçofest is a unique event combining gastronomy, music, and popular culture across the city. Its first edition is set to become a key event in the Catalan festive calendar, confirming Valls as the capital and origin city of the calçotada, as well as a musical centre for the country.
Festival Programme Details
The Calçofest Matí activities at El Pati include a gastronomic zone with La Licorera, Cal Cesc, and Forn de Nulles, and a quality and promotion zone with DO Tarragona wineries like Cellers Adernats, Blanch, Vinya Janine, and Cooperativa Agrícola de Valls. Informative and promotional tents for the IGP Calçot de Valls and the Tourism Department / Visita Valls will also be present.
Free performances start at 11am with the Cia. Passabarret circus, followed by Escola de Dansa Adagi at 12pm, Escola de Dansa Infinity at 12.30pm, and Tarraco Surfers with close-up magic by Dario Proximity at 1pm.
The popular calçotada at the Cooperativa car park runs from 1pm to 3pm. The main concert at the Gran Carpa del Festival in Fornàs opens its doors at 4.30pm. Maria Jacobs starts at 5pm, followed by Ginestà at 6.10pm, Els Catarres at 7.35pm, Figa Flawas at 9.05pm, The Tyets at 10.45pm, Buhos at 12.20am, La Fúmiga at 1.50am, Les Que Faltaband at 3.20am, and DJ Trapella closing the night at 4.30am, with the venue closing at 5.30am. Organisers note that times are approximate and subject to technical needs.
Transport and Parking Information
The free Calçofest Bus will run a circular route from 4pm to 7pm and from midnight to 5am. Stops include the Bus Station, Plaça de la Creu, Francesc Gumà - Centre Esportiu Municipal el Fornàs, Polígon Industrial · Red Star (C/Artesans), Polígon Industrial · Esclat / Dic Auto (C/Artesans), and back to Francesc Gumà - Centre Esportiu Municipal el Fornàs and the Bus Station. The approximate frequency is 35 minutes.
In addition to existing public car parks, Valls City Council has arranged extra parking for the festival. The entire Valls Industrial Estate will be available for free parking, with the Calçofest bus providing direct service throughout the night. The extraordinary 5,000 m² car park outside the former Ford factory in the industrial estate will also help with parking. Other main car parks include Era de Batre, Kursaal, Hort del Carme, Sant Francesc, Barri Vell, el Pati, and various locations near the festival site.
Traffic Restrictions in Fornàs
Specific mobility and access control measures are in place for the Fornàs neighbourhood to minimise disruption near the concert marquee. A progressive traffic cut will be implemented on Passeig President Tarradellas. Local Police will manage this dynamically based on crowd numbers. The initial cut will be at Carrer Tres de Nou, potentially extending to Carrer Quatre de Nou, Cinc de Vuit, or Avinguda Fornàs if needed.
Parking will be prohibited in several areas to ensure safety and emergency access. These include Passeig Tarradellas (uphill, from Carrer Cinc de Vuit to the Mossos d'Esquadra police station), Passeig Tarradellas (downhill, from Mossos d'Esquadra to Carrer Tres de Nou), and Carrer Eladi Homs, between Carrer Castells and Mossos d'Esquadra.
Twelve restaurants in Valls and Alt Camp will offer a 10% discount on all calçotades on Saturday, 22 November, as part of an initiative by the Valls Chamber of Commerce and the City Council.
