Reus is getting ready to celebrate the Festa Major de Misericòrdia, one of the most emblematic festivities in the city’s calendar. In honour of the Mare de Déu de Misericòrdia, patron saint of Reus since the 17th century, the city becomes a grand stage of popular culture, music, fire and tradition.
From 12 to 25 September, the capital of Baix Camp hosts around a hundred events: parades of giants, traditional dances, correfocs, concerts, open-air parties and vibrant street life. It is the perfect moment to visit and discover Reus: its Modernist architecture, local gastronomy, unique shops and the lively nightlife that make the city truly special.
In addition, we recommend other useful content to enjoy Reus all year round: Modernist routes, charming restaurants, city centre shopping, ideas for a night out, as well as selected experiences in the Mapilife Reus guide.
Highlights of the Reus festival
- Baixada del Ball de Diables · Thursday 25, 7:30 pm · Passeig de Misericòrdia → Sanctuary. Finale with the lighting of the Drac and Víbria, carretillada and a pyromusical at the sanctuary façade.
Seguici Festiu parade to the sanctuary · Thursday 25, 11:00 am from Plaça de la Pastoreta.
Vigil & verbenas · Wednesday 24, night · Rosary of Torches (10:30 pm), Cercavila del Masclet (8:30 pm), traditional verbena dance and youth party.
Aplec Baix Camp · Sunday 21, 10:00 am–8:00 pm · Plaça del Santuari (sardana dances all day).
Misericòrdia Castells Day · Saturday 20, 6:00 pm · Plaça del Mercadal.
Music & night parties
Fri 12, 7:00 pm · La Palma · Festival Revers (free): Dijous Taekwondo, Angeladorrrm, Roko Banana, Joan Colomo & DJ Fania.
Fri 19, 10:00 pm · Plaça de la Llibertat · Main concert: Dr. Prats, Lluís Sànchez (Eufòria) & DJ.
Sat 20, night · Plaça de la Llibertat · Post-Castells party with Spoilers + DJ.
Wed 24, 11:00 pm · Plaça d’Anton Borrell · Verbena dance with Cobla-Orquestra Montgrins.
Wed 24, 11:30 pm · Plaça de la Llibertat · Youth party: Blú + Mano’s Rock.
Wed 24, evening · La Palma · Reggus Festival (reggae, ska & more).
Day-by-day programme
Key Previews (12–20 September)
Saturday 13 · A Reus, Correfoc Infantil! (8:30 pm) – children’s fire-run + Trobada de Gegants (giant parade) and traditional dances at Plaça del Mercadal.
Friday 19 · Guardons de la Ciutat (8:00 pm, Ajuntament) – civic awards ceremony, and concert at Plaça de la Llibertat with Lluís Sànchez, Dr. Prats & DJ Capde (10:00 pm).
Saturday 20 · Diada castellera de Misericòrdia (6:00 pm, Mercadal) – human towers performance – and A Reus, Correfoc! (9:30 pm, old town) – night fire-run – followed by a street party at Plaça de la Llibertat.
Sunday 21 (Aplec at the Sanctuary)
10:00 am–8:00 pm · Plaça del Santuari · 59è Aplec Baix Camp: traditional sardana dancing with coblas Jovenívola de Sabadell & Reus Jove.
Morning · Campanar · Raising of the Marian flag on the bell tower.
11:00 am · Parc de la Festa → city · Cavalcada dels Tres Tombs – parade with horses and carriages.
12:00 pm · Plaça del Teatre · Petit Reggus – family-friendly music event.
5:00 pm · La Palma · Reus Urban Dance – urban dance showcase.
8:00 pm · Plaça del Mercadal · Havaneres (Catalan sea shanties) with rom cremat (flaming rum) at half-time.
Monday 22
6:00 pm · Plaça Baluard · Family show.
6:30 pm · Casa Rull → Nucli Antic · Cercavila del Canó de les Festes – festive parade with the “Festival Cannon”.
7:00 pm · Plaça del Mercadal · Reading of the World Alzheimer’s Day manifesto.
8:00 pm · Ajuntament · Trobada de Misericòrdies – meeting of women named Misericòrdia.
8:30 pm · Old town · Carro dels Romanços – theatrical route with traditional satirical verses.
Tuesday 23 (Seguici Petit)
6:00 pm · Ajuntament → city centre · Seguici Petit – children’s parade with scaled-down festive elements and dances. Route: Mercadal → Major → Sant Pere → Peixateries Velles → Hospital → Presó → Farinera → Sta. Anna → raval Sta. Anna → Prim → Monterols → Mercadal (final parade).
6:30 pm · Plaça del Mercadal · Popular snack (sponsored by Borges).
(+ Family workshops & activities at the Gaudí Centre, advance booking required.)
Wednesday 24 (Vigil)
12:00 pm · Campanar · Toc de Festa – bell ringing announcing the vigil.
6:30 pm · Bell tower / city centre · Parade and appearance of festival figures.
8:00 pm · La Palma · Reggus festival concerts.
8:30 pm · Mercadal → Llibertat · Cercavila del Masclet – noisy parade with firecrackers and boots.
10:30 pm · Plaça de la Pastoreta → Passeig de Misericòrdia · Rosari de Torxes – torchlight procession to the sanctuary with chants and devotion.
11:00 pm · Plaça d’Anton Borrell · Verbena dance with Cobla-Orquestra Montgrins.
11:30 pm · Plaça de la Llibertat · Youth party with cover bands Blú and Mano’s Rock.
Thursday 25 (La Diada – Feast Day)
Morning
7:00 / 8:00 / 9:00 am · Santuari · Mass (the cambril – chapel of the Virgin – open all day outside liturgies).
8:00 am · Various neighbourhoods · Matinades – early morning music with gralla players, musket shots and fireworks.
11:00 am · Plaça del Santuari · Solemn Mass (Orfeó Reusenc choir) + bell ringing & 21 gun salutes.
11:00 am · Plaça de la Pastoreta → Santuari · Seguici Festiu – main parade of giants, dances and beasts – with final performances at the sanctuary.
Afternoon & Night
5:30–7:00 pm · In front of the sanctuary · Performances by Gegants (giants), Nanos (big heads), traditional dances and bestiary figures.
7:00 pm · In front of the sanctuary · Castells (human towers) by the Xiquets de Reus.
Afterwards · Inside the sanctuary · Ball solemne curt de l’Àliga – solemn short dance of the Eagle – plus chants (goigs).
7:30 pm · Passeig de Misericòrdia · Baixada del Ball de Diables – spectacular fire performance by the Diables (note: not an interactive correfoc).
At the end · Plaça del Santuari · Lighting of the Víbria (she-dragon) & Drac (dragon), Carretillada (mass spark display), illumination of the façade and final pyromusical.
After the Diada (26 Sept – 5 Oct)
Friday 26
7:00 pm · Plaça de la Llibertat · Sardana dance performance.
Saturday 27
All day · La Palma · Posa’t la Gorra! – family activities to support children with cancer.
Evening · City centre · Gathering of historical bands (Trobada de Bandes Històriques) followed by concerts.
1–5 October
Various venues · Theatre plays and concerts.
Saturday 4, 5:00 pm · Plaça del Mercadal · Diada del Mercadal – one of the most important castells (human towers) gatherings of the season, with top teams performing.
Throughout the weekend · Parties and live music across the city.
Useful information & tips
Where are the main events?
Sanctuary & Passeig de Misericòrdia: Diables descent, pyromusical (25/09).
Plaça del Mercadal: parades, castells, havaneres.
Plaça de la Llibertat: concerts & verbenas.
La Palma: Festival Revers (12/09), Reggus (24/09).
Plaça de la Pastoreta: start of the Seguici parade (25/09, 11 am).
Quick tips
Arrive 30–45 min early for the busiest events.
Fire shows: wear cotton clothes, long sleeves, closed shoes.
Best spots: pyromusical (sanctuary square), Diables (Passeig de Misericòrdia central section), Seguici (departure & arrival).
Move on foot; park in outer areas; check bus reinforcements.
Bring water & earplugs for kids.
Family-friendly events
Seguici Petit (23/09, 6 pm).
Petit Reggus (21/09, noon, Plaça del Teatre).
Reus Urban Dance (21/09, 5 pm, La Palma).
Family snack (23/09, 6:30 pm, Mercadal).
Aplec Baix Camp (21/09, all day, Sanctuary square).
Workshops at Gaudí Centre (book in advance).
Accessibility
Recommended: sides of Sanctuary square, final section of Passeig.
Quiet zones: Seguici Petit and morning parade 25/09.
Braille programme, Canal Reus coverage, adapted spaces.
Info point: Casa Rull (c/ Sant Joan, 27).
Quick FAQs
When is the pyromusical? After the Diables descent (25/09 evening) at the sanctuary square.
What time does the Seguici leave? 11 am (25/09) from Plaça de la Pastoreta.
Is the Diables descent a correfoc? No, the audience does not interact – it’s a non-participatory fire show.
Are there castells on 25 Sept? Yes, Xiquets de Reus at 7 pm (Sanctuary). Main Castells Day: 20/09, 6 pm at Mercadal.
Best family area? Passeig de Misericòrdia sides & Sanctuary square.
Enjoy Reus all year round
The ‘Festa Major de Misericòrdia’ Festival is an ideal occasion to experience Reus in all its vitality. The city also offers a wide range of proposals throughout the festival season and all year round. Explore all the sections of Mapilife Reus, a guide available at more than a hundred points across the city. A visual map and travel guide where you’ll find the most authentic experiences in Reus, the Visit Reus promotion that will take you to discover the 5 must-see monuments that explain its history and Modernism, as well as the Vermouth Route or guided tours with La Teva Ruta.
Complete your experience with the finest local food, from international cuisine to the best Mediterranean flavours, and let yourself be surprised by the city centre’s shopping offer, full of unique shops, gourmet products and useful, local services.
End the summer in the best way with a getaway to Reus and experience the ‘Festes de Misericòrdia’ like a local: local traditions, fire performances & the final pyromusical at the sanctuary, live music in the squares & fun nights
Between events, be amazed by the city’s Modernist architecture, enjoy a vermouth in the centre, shop for local products and book a table at one of the recommended restaurants. Reus is perfect for couples, friends or families, with proposals for all ages and corners that will charm you at every step. This September, one of the great cultural events of the Costa Daurada awaits you: come to Reus and celebrate Misericòrdia festival.
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