update - salou summer festival 2026
The Nits Daurades 2026 will have an exceptional finale this year. The events originally scheduled for 15 August, including the procession of the Virgin Mary, the traditional maritime procession and Salou’s spectacular fireworks display, had to be cancelled due to a red INUNCAT weather alert.
Salou will now bring these celebrations back on Sunday, 6 September, turning the date into a second major festive occasion at the end of the summer season.
The evening will begin at 8pm with a solemn mass at Santa Maria del Mar, followed by the procession and the traditional maritime route. The grand finale will be a spectacular fireworks display lighting up Salou’s coastline as summer draws to a close. A unique night when the Mediterranean sky will once again burst into light and colour, bringing a touch of summer magic to September.
Salou’s main summer festival brings two weeks of concerts, traditional celebrations and major events to the capital of the Costa Daurada
Every August, Salou hosts its biggest summer celebration. The Nits Daurades, meaning “Golden Nights” in Catalan, fill Passeig Jaume I, the beaches and the town’s main squares with concerts, family shows, Catalan traditions, fire performances and events inspired by Salou’s maritime heritage.
The 2026 festival promises to be particularly memorable. Alongside performances by Merche, Fórmula V, The William Miller Band and the acclaimed Mecano tribute Hijo de la Luna, Salou will experience an exceptional astronomical event: the total solar eclipse on 12 August.
The official festivities begin on 1 August, following a special maritime programme on 31 July. The celebrations culminate on 15 August with the procession of Santa Maria del Mar, the main fireworks display and a closing performance by Orquesta La Privada.
Nits Daurades Salou 2026: key information
- Official dates: 1–15 August 2026.
- Maritime opening events: Friday 31 July.
- Main stage: Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes.
- Opening speaker: Cristina Lagé, Director-General for Tourism.
- Major event: total solar eclipse on 12 August.
- Headline concert: Merche, 12 August at 10 pm.
- Other major concerts: Fórmula V, Hijo de la Luna and The William Miller Band.
- Main fireworks display: 15 August at 11 pm.
- Official programme: available at the end of this article.
Highlights of the Nits Daurades 2026
The Nits Daurades feature two weeks of events, but these are the dates we would mark in red on the calendar:
- 31 July: maritime traditions, Salou’s Gegants, traditional fishing demonstration, community sardine barbecue and habaneras.
- 1 August: opening speech by Cristina Lagé, inaugural firecrackers and the seventh Batrobada percussion parade.
- 3 August: The Journey, a magic show by Harry Merlin Piper.
- 8 August: sardana dancing, Nit del Foc fire parade and the Momentazo! party featuring music from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
- 10 August: The William Miller Band, preceded by a Kimetz DJ session.
- 12 August: total solar eclipse from Salou’s beaches and a free concert by Merche.
- 13 August: Hijo de la Luna, one of Spain’s best-known Mecano tribute shows.
- 14 August: Fórmula V concert.
- 15 August: land and maritime procession, main fireworks display and Orquesta La Privada.
One of the first major events will be a performance by Harry Merlin Piper, the young magician from Salou who achieved success in the United States on Netflix’s Star Search and has appeared as a guest on several television programmes. His show bears the hallmark of House of Illusion, one of the standout experiences featured in the Mapilife Salou guide.
Full Nits Daurades programme: day by day
the NITS DAURADES DE salou 2026
11 am · Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet
Children’s workshops inspired by Salou’s maritime heritage.
7.30 pm · Espigó del Moll and Passeig Miramar
Performance by the Gegants de Salou, including the fisherman and fisherwoman figures Ramon and Maria del Mar.
8.30 pm · Ponent Beach
Calada de les Malles–Rossegall, a demonstration of traditional fishing techniques.
10 pm · Ponent Beach, beside the Base Nàutica
Community sardine barbecue and habaneras performed by Xicranda.
8.30 pm · Xalet Torremar, Passeig Jaume I
Official opening speech for the Nits Daurades 2026 by Cristina Lagé Manich, Director-General for Tourism at the Government of Catalonia.
Immediately afterwards · Passeig Jaume I, opposite the Tourist Board
Opening firecrackers to mark the start of the festivities.
10 pm · From Font dels Cargols to Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Seventh Batrobada percussion parade, featuring the Grup Atabaladors de Salou and invited groups.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Ninth Costa Daurada–Salou International Music Festival, featuring the concert From Mariana Martínez to Jorge Grundman.
The Orquestra de Cambra Catalana, conducted by Joan Pàmies, will perform works by Mariana Martínez, Leopold Kozeluch, Jorge Grundman and Walter Niemann.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
The Journey, a magic show by Harry Merlin Piper. A visual, family-friendly performance in which magic is only the beginning of the journey.
10.30 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Renacer, a flamenco show by Mónica Novillo’s company, with the participation of Carlos Chavero.
7–10 pm · Carrer Ponent
An early-evening event featuring music, activities and local shops.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Habaneras gathering featuring Port Bo, Ultramar and Balandra.
6 pm · Salou Municipal Library
First session of Looking at the Sky: Activities to Explore the Universe, for children aged eight and over. Free activity with prior registration.
6.30 pm · Cybernetic Fountains, Passeig Jaume I
Xic’s Daurades, featuring refreshing inflatables and water activities.
8 pm · From the Monument to Jaume I to Font dels Cargols
Children’s correfoc fire run with Diables Infantils Els Pascualets and invited groups.
9 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Performances by local artists from Salou.
8 pm · Torre Vella
Talk about the solar eclipse by Carlos García Gómez, entitled Total Eclipses: An Extraordinary Experience.
8.30 pm · From Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes to the Cybernetic Fountains
Parade showcasing Salou’s traditional festival figures, local groups and cultural associations.
9 pm · Llevant Beach and Espigó del Moll
Third Salou Aquatic Walk 2026. The warm-up will take place in front of the Fisherman statue.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Aragonese folklore show featuring Grup Folklòric Jaime I and Agrupación Folklórica Aragonesa D’Aragón.
8 pm · Passeig Jaume I and Espigó del Moll
Traditional sardana dancing with Cobla Reus Jove and Agrupació Sardanista Tarragona Dansa.
9.30 pm · Passeig Jaume I
Nit del Foc with Grup de Diables Maleïts i Bruixes Latemó, Xaloc, Morena de Salou and other invited groups.
The route will begin opposite the Tourist Board and finish at the Illuminated Fountain.
11 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Momentazo!, a party featuring major hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
8 pm · From the Illuminated Fountain to the Cybernetic Fountains
Seguici de Convidats organised by Associació Sal-i-Ou, featuring traditional festival creatures, dances and popular Catalan culture.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Rasmiajazz, featuring David Cardona on piano and Merche Broto on vocals. The performance combines music from the Aragonese Pyrenees with Latin rhythms and jazz.
5.30 pm and 6.30 pm · Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet
Children’s workshop to make a solar eclipse memory game.
6 pm · Salou Municipal Library
Photography workshop, The Eclipse on Your Phone: Capturing the Darkness, led by Pep Aguadé. Free activity for young people aged twelve and over, with prior registration.
9 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Kimetz DJ session.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
The William Miller Band in concert, a rock project led by actor and singer William Miller.
5.30 pm and 6.30 pm · Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet
Storytelling session, The Day the Moon Wanted to Be the Sun, written by Maite Castellanos and told by Mariona Jurado. A puppet workshop will follow.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Erik López & Cactus Band in concert, combining rock and cumbia in a performance made for dancing.
7 pm · Ponent Beach, Base Nàutica
Beach yoga session led by Nexum Fitness.
From 7.35 pm · Ponent and Llevant beaches
Total solar eclipse. Totality is expected to begin at approximately 8.29 pm, with the maximum eclipse at 8.30 pm.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Free concert by Merche. The singer from Cádiz will headline one of the biggest nights of the Nits Daurades 2026.
5.30 pm, 6.15 pm and 7 pm · Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet
Children’s workshop to recreate the solar eclipse using modelling clay.
6 pm · Salou Municipal Library
Second August session of Looking at the Sky: Activities to Explore the Universe.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Hijo de la Luna, a tribute concert celebrating the music of Mecano.
5.30 pm and 6.30 pm · Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet
Children’s workshop to make a solar eclipse-themed noughts and crosses game.
7–9.30 pm · Espigó del Moll Market
Music and an early-evening atmosphere beside the sea.
10 pm · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Fórmula V in concert, one of the most popular Spanish pop groups of the 1960s and 1970s.
EVENTS POSTPONED | The events scheduled for 15 August were cancelled due to the red INUNCAT weather alert. The procession, maritime route and fireworks display have been rescheduled and will now take place on 6 September 2026.
8 pm · Church of Santa Maria del Mar
Solemn Mass in honour of Santa Maria del Mar, the patron saint of Salou.
9.15 pm · Church of Santa Maria del Mar, Passeig Miramar and Espigó del Moll
Procession of the Virgin. The route begins at the church, continues along Passeig Miramar and reaches Espigó del Moll, where the maritime procession starts. Afterwards, the procession will continue along Passeig Jaume I.
11 pm · Passeig Jaume I
Main fireworks display.
Immediately afterwards · Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes
Performance by Orquesta La Privada and official closing of the Nits Daurades 2026.
From the total eclipse to Merche: the biggest night of the festival
The evening of 12 August 2026 will be unlike any other. Salou will experience a total solar eclipse shortly before sunset, followed a few hours later by a free concert by Merche in Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes.
Salou Town Council recommends watching the eclipse from Ponent and Llevant beaches, which provide open views towards the horizon. Arrive well in advance and avoid breakwaters, rocks, rooftops or any location that could present a safety risk.
Total solar eclipse times in Salou
- 7.35.35 pm: eclipse begins.
- 8.29.28 pm: totality begins.
- 8.30.01 pm: maximum eclipse.
- 8.30.34 pm: totality ends.
- 8.58.24 pm: eclipse ends at sunset.
- 10 pm: free Merche concert.
Approved solar eclipse glasses must be worn throughout the partial phases. Ordinary sunglasses, X-ray film, smoked glass and improvised filters do not provide adequate eye protection.
Read our complete guide to the 2026 total solar eclipse in Catalonia for exact timings, the best viewing locations and essential safety advice.
Concerts at the Nits Daurades 2026
Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes will once again become the festival’s main music venue. The programme ranges from pop, rock and flamenco to jazz, classical music, cumbia, habaneras and tribute concerts.
The main performances include:
- 2 August: Orquestra de Cambra Catalana.
- 4 August: Renacer flamenco show.
- 5 August: habaneras gathering.
- 9 August: Rasmiajazz.
- 10 August: The William Miller Band.
- 11 August: Erik López & Cactus Band.
- 12 August: Merche.
- 13 August: Hijo de la Luna, a tribute to Mecano.
- 14 August: Fórmula V.
- 15 August: Orquesta La Privada.
Salou’s main fireworks display
The final night on 15 August is the high point of the Nits Daurades. Following the Mass and procession of Santa Maria del Mar, thousands of people gather along Salou’s seafront to watch the sky fill with light and colour.
The fireworks will begin at 11 pm on Passeig Jaume I and will be visible from much of the seafront. Afterwards, the celebrations continue in Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes with Orquesta La Privada.
Arrive well in advance, avoid driving into the town centre at the last minute and check the municipal information channels for traffic updates. Hearing protection is advisable for children sensitive to loud noise. Visitors travelling with pets should also plan ahead, as the sound of the fireworks may cause distress.
The Fireworks of #NitsDaurades in Salou | By @ionuttirca
Visiting the Nits Daurades with children
The 2026 programme includes a wide variety of activities for families:
- Maritime-themed children’s workshops.
- Magic show by Harry Merlin Piper.
- Inflatables and water activities.
- Children’s correfoc.
- Solar eclipse workshops.
- Storytelling and puppet-making.
- Astronomy activities at Salou Municipal Library.
- Sessions to create eclipse-themed games.
Activities at Espai d’Infància Estació del Carrilet are free, but places are limited. Advance registration is required by calling +34 678 16 27 16.
Activities at Salou Municipal Library also have limited availability. Bookings can be made by calling +34 977 38 88 09 or emailing biblioteca@salou.cat.
Catalan traditions and Salou’s maritime heritage
The Nits Daurades are much more than a series of concerts. The festival is also an opportunity to discover Salou’s maritime roots and some of the most representative traditions of Catalan popular culture.
Calada de les Malles–Rossegall
This demonstration revives an old form of fishing carried out directly from the beach. It offers an insight into the lives of Salou’s fishing community before the town became an international tourist destination.
Batrobada and traditional parades
The Batrobada brings together several percussion groups for a lively parade through the town. The Seguici de Convidats features traditional festival creatures, dances and cultural groups travelling along Passeig Jaume I.
Sardanas, correfocs and Nit del Foc
The sardana is Catalonia’s best-known traditional dance and one of the festival’s most emblematic events. Nit del Foc is the celebration at its most intense, with devils, fantastic creatures, sparks and pyrotechnics filling the streets.
Anyone attending a correfoc should wear cotton clothing, long sleeves, closed shoes and protection for the head and face. Avoid synthetic fabrics and always follow instructions from the fire groups and safety services.
Maritime procession of Santa Maria del Mar
The procession on 15 August is one of the most moving moments of the Nits Daurades. After travelling along Passeig Miramar, the image of Santa Maria del Mar reaches Espigó del Moll and begins its maritime procession, reflecting Salou’s historic connection with the sea.
Activities continuing after the Nits Daurades
Salou’s astronomy programme will continue beyond 15 August:
- 18 August, 6 pm · Salou Municipal Library: Stellar Stories: A Universe of Tales, for children aged four and over.
- 20 and 27 August, 6 pm · Salou Municipal Library: further sessions of Looking at the Sky: Activities to Explore the Universe, for children aged eight and over.
Practical information
Large crowds are expected during the concerts, Nit del Foc, the eclipse and the main fireworks display. Walk whenever possible, arrive early and check the official Salou Town Council channels for last-minute changes, traffic restrictions or updated schedules.
Official Nits Daurades 2026 programme
View or download the complete programme for the Nits Daurades Salou 2026
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