Valls, in Alt Camp, will welcome summer with its Sant Joan festival from 20 to 25 June, maintaining its historical traditions as one of Catalonia's most popular solstice celebrations. The programme, developed by various participatory commissions, includes a wide range of activities for children, diverse musical concerts, and the start of the traditional 'castellera' human tower season.
One of the most emotional moments will be the farewell of the current Àliga de Valls, designed in 1991 by local artist Anton Gurí. It will perform a final dance in Plaça del Blat during the 'Tomb del Poble', marking the countdown to the Candelera festival in 2026. At that time, Valls will unveil a new Àliga, faithfully reproducing the figure that appeared until 1936, coinciding with the element's 325th anniversary.
Els Pets, a Catalan music group, will be proclaimed Ambassadors of the Xiquets de Valls for the human tower season. Josep “Jepi” Selva Cristià, a roller hockey player and recently named Vallenc de l’Any, will serve as the festival's town crier.
Honoring Grallers and Children's Festivities
The title of 'Santjoaner' will be awarded collectively this year, honouring the pioneering 'grallers' and 'timbalers' (traditional musicians) associated with the Xiquets de Valls. This recognises their essential, though often unseen, contribution to ensuring the continuous presence of the 'gralla' and 'timbal' in human tower squares during the restoration of liberties and cultural reactivation in the last century, according to festival organisers.
The Sant Joan festival will also mark the 25th anniversary of the 'Mulassa petita' (small mule figure). This figure, known as the “first Vallenca of the new millennium” on 1 January 2000, will celebrate by inviting several 'mulassetes' from across Catalonia for a festive parade through the Historic Centre on Saturday, 21 June.
Many other activities are planned specifically for children and families. These include a musical and participatory show in Plaça de l’Oli with the bees from Tresca i la Verdesca, and an interactive installation called “Els colors de monstre” (The Monster's Colours) in Plaça de la Zeta, featuring large-format games and artefacts. The programme also highlights the 30th anniversary of the Valls-based company Passabarret, which will offer shows, circus workshops, and a retrospective exhibition.
Restored Bell Tower and Traditional Dances
This year's festival marks the first Sant Joan since the rehabilitation of the Valls Bell Tower last year. The Campaners de Valls will restore manual bell ringing during the festival. A new event on the evening of Thursday, 19 June, just hours before the official start of the festival, will see climbers adorn the tower with the city's flag.
Sant Joan coincides with Corpus Christi this year, with Sunday, 22 June, featuring 'balls parlats' (spoken dances) in their traditional squares. The children's 'Ball de Pastorets', the 'Ball de Pastorets', 'Ball de Gitanes', 'Ball de Vells', and 'Ball de Diables' will move from square to square with their characteristic verses and satirical songs. In the evening, Plaça Pere Català Roca will host a full performance of the 'Moixiganga'.
Central Historical Corpus and Fireworks
Monday, 23 June, will start the second block of the festival with the most traditional events, forming the historical core of the celebration. These include the decoration of the Sant Joan Baptista cross with red flowers and the proclamation of the 'Santjoaners'. Other traditional acts will follow, such as the Àliga appearing on the balcony, the waving of the Flag, the 'Tronada' (firecracker display) by Pirotècnia Igual, bell ringing, and the evening parade of the City Giants.
This day will also see the arrival of the 'Flama del Canigó' (Canigó Flame) to light bonfires in Valls and the surrounding area. The 'Completes' in honour of Sant Joan, accompanied by the ceremonial procession, is one of the most anticipated and emotional moments of the festival, featuring a cascade of light, fireworks, and traditional human towers by Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls and Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls in Plaça del Blat.
On Tuesday, 24 June, the city's patron saint day, the 'matinades' and 'diana dels trabucaires' (early morning music and blunderbuss shots) will wake residents. Plaça del Blat will be the epicentre, hosting displays of dances and small dances by the imagery and bestiary of the procession, followed by the human tower day. In the afternoon, the 'Tomb del Poble' will parade through the Historic Centre, ending with a second display of dances, the entry of the city flag, the final dance of the current Àliga de Valls, and fireworks.
Wednesday, 25 June, the final day of celebrations, will include the 'vot del poble' (people's vow) to the Mare de Déu del Lledó, with the City Giants. In the afternoon, the 'Tomet', with the small procession, will fill streets and squares. In the evening, the 'Moixiganga' will close the votive chapel of Sant Joan. The festival will conclude with a 'correfoc' (fire run) starting in El Pati and a fireworks display in El Fornàs, by Pirotècnia Josman from Galicia.
Pirotècnia Igual, based in Canyelles and with a factory in Vila-rodona, is noted as the Catalan pyrotechnics company that fires the most displays worldwide. Pirotècnia Josman, from Galicia, is an emerging national company that has fired at major competitions in Tarragona, Blanes, and Burgos, according to officials.
