Festivals of Saint Anthony the Abbot and the Three Tombs 2026

There are many Catalan towns that celebrate Saint Anthony the Abbot, patron saint of muleteers and pack animals, festivals related to farm work and pack animals. These celebrations are known as the Fiestas de San Antonio, or in some places as the Tres Tombs or Tonis.

The tradition consists of a parade of carts and animals that goes around the town where the festival is being held three times. Over the years, especially after the industrial revolution, animals and mainly horses have ceased to be the great agricultural workers, giving way to tractors and other machinery. The tradition has adapted to the times, but without forgetting its main protagonists, the animals. From the second half of the 20th century, the Tres Tombs festival has become a traditional festival where people can see what old carriages were like or how animals were tamed.

In ancient times, people would go around a large bonfire made of green branches three times. Once Christianity became more prevalent, they would go around the church of San Antonio or, failing that, around the image of the Saint, from where the animals would be blessed. The parade of decorated carriages is accompanied by other events and in many places it is customary to bring pets such as cats, dogs and birds to be blessed.

When is Saint Anthony the Abbot or the Three Tombs celebrated in 2026?

The Tres Tombs festival is celebrated every year on January 17th, which is the day of Saint Anthony the Abbot. In 2026, January 17th falls on a Saturday, so most towns celebrate their Tres Tombs festivals on the same weekend of January 18th-19th, although some decide to do it a week before or a week after.

Take out your agenda and save this date to visit some of the municipalities that celebrate the Sant Antoni or Tres Tombs Festivals in Catalonia: Alcanar, Barcelona, Ascó, Vila-seca, Balsareny, Falset, Taradell, Valls, Igualada, Berga, Inglesola, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Caldes de Montbui, Esparreguera, Ripollet or Manlleu

Below we leave you information about the Sant Antoni and Tres Tombs Festivals that are celebrated in Catalonia.