At Christmas, enjoy the Pastorets 2024

During the Christmas holidays, the tradition of representing the Pastorets is still alive in most towns and neighborhoods in Catalonia. They mobilize thousands of theater fans and also thousands of families as spectators.

The Pastorets are one of the most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in our country. They are a theatrical piece, and their natural place of representation is on a stage. The basis of the performance is a theatrical text that is inspired by the evangelical story of Christmas, often written in verse and with a well-defined dramatic structure. These texts incorporate many different artistic elements that complement their structure and present it to the viewer as a complete show. Music, dance, special effects, or large sets, are administered in particular doses giving personality to each of the performances that you will experience during the weeks of Christmas in Catalonia.

In current times, these representations are a meeting point for the various generations and the diverse backgrounds that make up our society, they are constantly transformed and fed with new contributions year after year.

Putting Pastorets on stage is a common project of a town, an entity or a group that comes together temporarily with this objective.

This Christmas, discover the Pastorets in Catalonia!

When do the Christmas Holidays fall in 2024?

The most relevant Christmas holidays in Catalonia are:

Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24, 2024)

Caga Tió, where children hit a log with sticks while singing songs so that the Uncle “poops” sweets and gifts.

It is a tradition that fills homes with laughter, excitement and the Christmas spirit. Families usually gather to share a hearty dinner, often based on traditional dishes such as escudella and carne de olla.

Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25, 2024)

escudella con galets" and a roast chicken or stuffed capo, accompanied by nougat and wafers. It is a day dedicated to sharing special moments with loved ones, exchanging gifts and keeping deep-rooted traditions alive.

St. Stephen's Day (Thursday, December 26, 2024)

St. Stephen 's Day, exclusive to Catalonia, is a much-loved day that offers the opportunity to continue sharing moments with family. The dish par excellence of this day is cannelloni, which is traditionally made with the leftovers from the previous day's roast. This day symbolizes the continuity of Christmas celebrations and allows the festive spirit to be prolonged.

New Year's Eve (Tuesday, December 31, 2024)

cava and the traditional twelve grapes, which are eaten to the rhythm of the midnight bells to bring luck for the following twelve months. The party continues with dancing, music and celebrations until the early hours of the morning.

Beginning of the New Year (Wednesday, January 1, 2025)

New Year's Day, is characterized by being a day of rest and reflection. After the party the night before, families take this day calmly, making a more relaxed meal. It is a time to recharge energy and start the year with renewed purposes and good energy.

Three Kings Parade (Sunday, January 5, 2025)

The day before Three Kings' Day is one of the most eagerly awaited days for the little ones. The Three Kings' Parades, full of lights, music and spectacle, fill the streets of all Catalan towns with the arrival of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar. The children wait excitedly for the moment to see the floats parade, throw letters with their wishes and collect sweets while the expectation grows.

Three Kings' Day (Monday, January 6, 2025)

Three Kings' Day brings the Christmas festivities to a close. After the magical night in which the Three Wise Men have left gifts in homes, families gather to eat the traditional roscón de Reyes (Kings' cake ), which hides a bean and a figurine. Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king of the party, while whoever finds the bean must pay for the roscón the following year. This day joyfully closes the cycle of festivities, until the following year.