Festa Major de Collioure
The Saint-Vincent festivals, the beating heart of Collioure
About Festa Major
Festa Major de Collioure: three centuries of Catalan tradition
Since 1701, the Festa Major de Collioure has celebrated the arrival of the relics of Saint Vincent, patron saint of the city, every year on August 16th. This event, part of the Saint-Vincent Festivals, is the highlight of the Collioure summer and brings together residents and visitors in an atmosphere of popular fervor and shared joy.
A rich and varied program
The festivities span five days and take over the squares, streets, and port of Collioure. Starting August 14th, bands and fanfares parade through the village alleys, signaling the start of the celebration. On August 15th, the Assumption Day, water games animate the bay with demonstrations of llaguts de rems (Catalan rowing boats) and water jousting.
August 16th: the Festa Major
The day of the Festa Major is the culmination of the festivities. The day begins with a solemn mass, followed by a sea procession where the relics of Saint Vincent are embarked on traditional Catalan boats, accompanied by the crowd gathered on the quays and beaches. In the evening, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the bay of Collioure, with the bell tower of the Notre-Dame-des-Anges church as a backdrop.
Sardanes, music, and conviviality
Throughout the five days, sardanes are danced in the village squares, accompanied by Catalan coblas. Concerts, circus performances, children's entertainment, and popular balls complete a festive program that extends late into the night. On August 17th and 18th, traditional games for children and the last sardanes conclude the festivities in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Festa Major — edition 2026
From August 14 to 18, 2026, Collioure celebrates its oldest patron saint festival: the Festa Major de la Saint-Vincent. For five days, bandas, sardanas danced in the squares, nautical games, concerts, and street arts enliven the port and the historic center. The highlight day, August 16, is punctuated by the traditional procession of Saint-Vincent's relics at sea on Catalan boats, followed in the evening by the grand fireworks display over the bay.
The Festa Major de la Saint-Vincent 2026
Patron saint of Collioure, Saint-Vincent is honored every year in mid-August during the Festa Major, one of the oldest Catalan festivals on the Côte Vermeille. From August 14 to 18, 2026, the port and the narrow streets of the historic center vibrate to the rhythm of bandas, sardanas, evening concerts, nautical games, and street arts.
August 16, highlight of the festivities
Since 1701, August 16 marks one of the most moving rituals of the Catalan calendar: the arrival at sea of Saint-Vincent's relics, carried on traditional boats, under the gaze of crowds gathered on the quays. The day continues with the regatta, sardanas, and, at nightfall, the grand fireworks display that illuminates the bay, with the emblematic bell tower of Notre-Dame-des-Anges as a backdrop.
The festivities conclude on August 17 and 18 with the Port d'Avall festival (children's entertainment, jousts, popular dance) followed by the procession and sardana at the Consolation hermitage.
Programme Festa Major 2026
Thursday, August 14 — Opening of the festivities
- 6:30 PM — Street parade from Place du Marché to Boramar
- 7:30 PM — Official opening ceremony at the port
- Evening — Concerts on the village stages
Friday, August 15 — Assumption
- Assumption Mass
- Nautical games and demonstrations of llaguts de rems (Catalan rowing boats) in the bay
- Sardanas in the squares
- Popular dance and evening concerts
Saturday, August 16 — Festa Major (highlight day)
- Morning — Mass at Saint-Vincent chapel followed by procession of relics at sea on Catalan boats
- Regatta and sardanas during the day
- Evening — Grand fireworks display over Collioure bay, followed by concerts
Sunday, August 17 — Port d'Avall Festival
- Traditional entertainment and games for children
- Nautical jousts
- Popular dance
Monday, August 18 — Closing at the Hermitage
- Procession and mass at the Consolation hermitage
- Sardanas to close the festivities
Highlights Festa Major 2026
- Procession of Saint-Vincent's relics at sea on Catalan boats (August 16)
- Grand fireworks display over Collioure bay, on the evening of August 16
- Sardanas, bandas, and popular dances throughout the historic center
- Nautical games and jousts in the bay
Prices Festa Major 2026
Practical information — Festa Major
Practical Information
Access
By car: Collioure is located 26 km south of Perpignan via the D914. Several parking lots are available at the entrance of the village (Pla de las Fourques parking, train station parking). Warning: traffic is very heavy during the festivals.
By train: Collioure station is served by TER Occitanie from Perpignan (20 min) and Cerbère.
Schedule
The festivities mainly take place on the port, Place du 18 Juin, Place du 8 Mai, and in the streets of the historic center. Most of the events are free and open to all.
Tips
- Arrive early on August 16th to find a good spot for the fireworks.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.
- Book your accommodation well in advance, hotels are fully booked during the festivals.
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Where does it take place — Festa Major
Port et centre historique de Collioure
Place du 18 Juin, 66190 Collioure