At Christmas, enjoy the Pastorets 2025

During the Christmas holidays, the tradition of performing Pastorets continues in most towns and neighborhoods of Catalonia. Thousands of theatergoers and thousands of families attend.

The Pastorets are one of the most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in our country. They are a theatrical piece, and their natural place of performance is on stage. The basis of the performance is a theatrical text inspired by the Gospel 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 the audience as a complete show. Music, dance, special effects, and grand sets are administered in particular doses, lending personality to each of the performances you will experience during the Christmas weeks in Catalonia.

In modern times, these representations are a meeting point for the diverse generations and backgrounds that make up our society. They are constantly changing and are nourished by new contributions year after year.

Staging Pastorets is a shared project of a town, an entity, or a group that temporarily unites for this purpose.

This Christmas, discover the Pastorets in Catalonia!

When does Christmas fall in 2025?

The most important Christmas holidays in Catalonia are:

Caga Tió, where children hit a log with sticks while singing songs so that the Tío "defecates" sweets and gifts.

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

Christmas Day is at the heart of the Christmas celebrations. Families gather to enjoy a festive meal that often includes " escudella con galets" and a roast chicken or stuffed bonnet, 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, exclusive to Catalonia, is a much-loved day that offers the opportunity to continue sharing moments with the family. The quintessential dish for this day is cannelloni, which is traditionally made with leftovers from the previous day's roast. This day symbolizes the continuity of the Christmas celebrations and allows the festive spirit to continue.

New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2025)

New Year's Eve is the last big party of the year. Families and friends gather to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new with large dinners, champagne toasts, and the traditional twelve grains of grape, which are eaten to the rhythm of the midnight chimes to bring luck for the following twelve months. The party continues with dancing, music, and celebrations until the early hours.

New Year's Day, is characterized by being a day of rest and reflection. After the previous night's celebration, families take this day in stride, having a more relaxed meal. It's a time to recharge and start the year with renewed resolve and good energy.

Three Kings' Parade (Monday, January 5, 2026)

The eve of Three Kings' Day is one of the most eagerly awaited days for children. The Three Kings' Parade, filled with lights, music, and spectacle, fills the streets of every Catalan municipality with the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. Children eagerly await the moment to see the floats parade, throw cards with their wishes, and collect candy as the anticipation grows.

Three Kings' Day (Tuesday, January 6, 2026)

Three Kings' Day brings the Christmas festivities to a close. After the magical night in which the Three Wise Men left gifts in homes, families gather to eat the traditional Roscón de Reyes (King's Cake ), which hides a bean and a figurine. Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king of the festival, while whoever finds the bean must pay for the following year's Roscón. This day brings the festive season to a joyful close, until the following year.