Offbeat Adventures: Weird Events in Sitges Revealed

Are you bored of the same old holidays and the same old activities? Would you like to see something a little different? Maybe something a little weird, yet still wonderful? Then look no further than Sitges for your next event-based holiday. Whether you would like to see something funky, flowery or outright freaky, there are a variety of weird events in Sitges for you to choose from.

From circus festivals to flower carpets, throwing fireworks and walking with zombies, Sitges has much to offer that is, well, just that little bit special…

Flowers Underfoot – Spring

If you like to be surrounded by dazzling beauty, then Corpus Christi is an event you don’t want to miss! Celebrated exactly nine weeks after Easter, Corpus Christi is a religious festival celebrating the ‘Body of Christ’ that is honoured all over Spain in a variety of ways. Here, you will find the streets adorned with beautiful fresh-smelling flower carpets curated by local groups and schools. The roads around the already stunning winding streets of the old town are closed for the day and masses of people hit the streets in the early hours of the morning to carefully lay fresh flowers in predetermined designs. Later, everyone can wander the streets and marvel at the vibrant colors, delicate smells, and remarkable creations that stretch as far as the eye can see! Hang around long enough and you will not only be blessed with the procession of the Holy Sacrament that passes over these carefully constructed carpets, but you will also get to see the parade of the Giants!

This is a Sitges event that happens just one day each year and it is not to be missed!

Fabulous Fireworks

Okay, let me start by saying you have never truly experienced a firework display until you have come to Sitges for Santa Tecla.  It has to be seen to be believed. This isn’t any old fireworks display. It comes complete with giants, Castellers (human towers), and fire demons!

Celebrating the Patron Saint of the Parish Church, Santa Tecla is the second biggest event in Sitges after their Fiesta Major. It takes place at the end of September and starts with La Nit de Foc (the night of fire) followed by the correfoc (or ‘Fire Run’ for those who do not speak Catalan). This is a spectacular event where groups of devils dance through the streets spitting out fire in every direction. Onlookers are showered in sparks as drummers play and sulphorous smoke engulfs the revelers. Remember to cover up for this event, even if it is hot outside, as escaping the fire-beasts is not always easy.

For the main event, there is a procession through the old town of giants, dragons, and eagles followed by a fabulous fireworks display on the beachfront at 11 pm.  So why not join the locals and annual visitors; bring a bottle of cava down to the beach to watch the fireworks over the beautiful backdrop of the Church of Santa Tecla!

Where to stay for Santa Tecla? 

For this fabulous affair, look no further than Villa Lola,  an ideal seafront location in Sitges.  Your view of the final firework displays can’t be beaten. Moreover, the villa benefits from a heated pool, Balinese furnishings and swings.  Everything you need for a relaxing yet stylish holiday is here.

Haunting Holiday 

The International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is held each October in Sitges.  It is the number one fantasy and horror film festival in the world.  The festival began in 1968 and has drawn an immensely talented list of visitors over the years.  Past visitors include directors Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo Del Toro and acting legends including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Susan Sarandon, and Ed Harris. 

Over the course of ten days, horror and fantastical movie buffs are delighted with an enormous array of locally and internationally produced films to fulfill their dastardly desires! Moreover, there are awards ceremonies, red carpet walks, and talks from famous directors and actors.  If that is not enticing enough, you can also join in with the Zombie Walk during the festival. All-day there are makeup artists on the beach to make you the most terrifying version of yourself.  As night falls, you can join hundreds of other zombies as they take to the town to terrify the onlookers! 

A little Tipple and a Tapa perhaps? 

Each April and November, restaurants and bars in Sitges offer a specially curated and delicious tapas dish with a drink for just 4€ a plate. Participants can pick up a guidebook at any participating restaurant.   Begin your tour of some of the town’s best restaurants and cafes and experience the finest food-related event in Sitges.

Whilst you benefit from dining on fine mini-cuisine and exploring the town, each bar, and restaurant fights it out to be number one!  That’s right, you are responsible for grading each establishment you visit; it’s a food critic’s heaven!  Just remember to get your book stamped at each place you visit!  And you never know, maybe you too will walk away from the event a winner and receive a free hotel stay.  Now, where did you put your passport?