Les Santes de Mataró is the city's biggest festival. Midsummer days that divide the year in two: before and after Les Santes. A week when the whole city takes to the streets, giants dance until dawn and fire fills every corner.

Recognised as a Festival of National Heritage Interest by the Generalitat in 2010 and listed in the Catalan Festival Heritage Catalogue, Les Santes is not just any festival. It is Mataró's festival. You cannot understand Mataró without Les Santes.

When is Les Santes de Mataró?

Les Santes takes place every year from July 25 to 29, in honour of Saint Juliana and Saint Semproniana, patron saints of Mataró since 1852. The central day is July 27, the Diada de Les Santes, with the Missa de Glòria at the Basílica de Santa Maria and a fireworks display on the beach.

The festival is announced days earlier with the Portal: the Estrena and the Herald's Proclama on the 19th, the Toc de Novena bell-ringing at Santa Maria and the Gegantada on July 24.

The three heritage elements of Les Santes

The Generalitat singled out three elements of Les Santes for their historical value:

The Missa de les Santes — Every July 27 morning, the Missa de Glòria for choir and orchestra composed by Mataró-born Manuel Blanch in 1848 is performed live. A near-operatic melody sung by a popular choir that can only be heard at the Basílica de Santa Maria. One of the finest examples of liturgical music in Catalonia.

The Robafaves family with the Nans — Robafaves, la Geganta, la Toneta and Maneló dance to the sound of the flabiol and tamboril. Since 1864, they have been accompanied by 18 Nans (big-head figures), carried by children. Documented since the 17th century, they are the most important element of Mataró's institutional comparsas.

La Dormida — The ritual in which the figures dance in front of the Town Hall, from smallest to largest, starting with the Nans and ending with Robafaves. When each figure finishes its own dance, it enters the Town Hall to cries of "no n'hi ha prou" (not enough). It is called the Dormida (sleeping) because the Giants lie down and enter the lobby where they will "sleep" until the next outing.

The unmissable events of Les Santes

La Gegantada (July 24) — A procession of all the giants in the city celebrating the arrival of the festival. The Robafaves family joins giants from neighbourhoods, associations and schools across Mataró.

La Crida (July 25) — The mayor officially opens the festival from the Town Hall balcony. A firecracker is lit and the first Dormida begins. From this moment on, the festival never stops.

La Nit Boja (night of the 25th) — The most intense sequence of events in Les Santes: the Desvetllament Bellugós with El Bequetero, the Convidada de la Família Robafaves at Plaça de Santa Anna, the Escapada a Negra Nit (the great fire run), the Pujada Tabalada and the Ruixada at 4am. A night with no pause.

La Tarda Guillada (July 26) — The children's version of the Nit Boja. The De parranda, the Convidadeta, the Correguspira with la Momeroteta and el Dragalió, the Pujada tabaladeta and the Ruixadeta. For many children, their first real experience of the festival.

La Passada (July 27) — The longest and most important procession of Les Santes. All the giants, big-heads and figures of the institutional séquito parade through the city centre. Ends with the afternoon Dormida.

El Castell de Focs (night of the 27th) — The event that draws the most people. The whole city walks down to the beach. The sky lights up with a fireworks display designed exclusively for the occasion, ending with sparklers spelling out "Glòria a Les Santes".

El No n'hi ha prou (July 28) — The last Dormida of the festival, the most exuberant and the latest of all. Les Diablesses, la Momerota, el Drac, l'Àliga and the Giants dance among the crowd to live music. The song of the same name plays on repeat while the crowd refuses to let the night end.

L'Anem a Tancar (July 29) — The final procession of the séquito. The figures make their way home, well accompanied by the crowd, until next year. Three rockets and a firecracker mark the closing of the festival.

A brief history

Les Santes began as a religious festival in the 17th century. 1848 was a landmark year: the first railway line on the Iberian Peninsula was inaugurated and the Missa de Glòria by Mossèn Blanch was premiered. In 1852, the people of Mataró chose Saint Juliana and Saint Semproniana as patron saints by popular vote.

At the end of the Franco dictatorship, a group of young people from the Foment Mataroní completely renewed the festival under the motto "Les Santes, fem-ne Festa Major". Since then, Les Santes has grown into the defining symbol of belonging to Mataró.

Frequently asked questions about Les Santes de Mataró

When is Les Santes de Mataró?
Les Santes takes place every year from July 25 to 29, in honour of Saint Juliana and Saint Semproniana, patron saints of Mataró since 1852.

Where does the Nit Boja take place?
The Nit Boja starts in front of the Town Hall, moves down La Riera to Plaça de Santa Anna, and ends with the Ruixada at the Espai Firal del Nou Parc Central.

When does Les Santes actually begin?
The Portal of the festival starts on July 19 with the Estrena and the Herald's Proclama. The official Crida is on July 25.

Can you visit Les Santes from outside Mataró?
Absolutely. Les Santes attracts visitors from all over Catalonia and beyond every year. Most events are free and take place in the streets.

Where can I buy Les Santes products?
At Robafaves you'll find t-shirts, magnets, games and unique products featuring the Giants of Mataró and Les Santes, available all year round in our physical shop and online store.