So here’s the thing about Reus: this city knows how to throw a party. And I’m not just talking about one or two big events—literally every month has something going on. We’re talking religious processions, street parties where people run through fire (yes, really), food festivals, and celebrations that go until sunrise. If you time your visit right, you’ll see Catalonia at its absolute best.
The two absolute must-sees? Sant Pere in late June and Misericòrdia in late September. These are the big ones that locals plan their entire year around.
When Should You Actually Go? (The Real Talk)
Peak Times (aka When It Gets Crazy)
Late June for Sant Pere is wild—think human towers, fire-breathing devils running through crowds, and fireworks that’ll make your ears ring for days. Late September brings Misericòrdia, which runs September 12-25 with about 100 different events crammed in. It’s slightly less touristy than Sant Pere but just as fun.
Chill Months (When You Can Actually Breathe)
March is pretty quiet—mostly theatre stuff and local markets. October has nice weather and harvest vibes without the massive crowds. November is all about cozy autumn traditions rather than big street parties.
Best for Families
January 5th brings the Three Kings Parade, and kids absolutely love it—the 2026 version even has a quieter section for kids who don’t like loud noises. December is magical with Christmas markets, lights everywhere, and that special holiday feeling.
January — Three Kings Blow Out
The Cavalcada de Reis on January 5th is basically the grand finale of Christmas. The parade starts at 4:30 PM, and the whole city comes out to watch—the Kings arrive, throw candy to kids, and receive the symbolic keys to the city. In 2026, they’re doing something cool: a quiet zone for kids with sensory issues, plus reserved spots for people with mobility challenges. It’s sweet, it’s family-friendly, and honestly, it’s a much better vibe than the commercial Christmas we’re used to.
February — Carnival Gets Weird
Carnival runs February 12-19, and it’s beautifully chaotic. People dress up in ridiculous costumes, there are satirical performances poking fun at politics, and the whole thing has this wonderfully anarchic energy. You’ve got the Dance of the Moc (don’t ask me what that means), a confetti battle on February 15th, and something called “Old Lent” arriving on Ash Wednesday. Schools get involved, neighborhoods compete—it’s basically an excuse for everyone to lose their minds for a week.
March — Take a Breather
March is when the city chills out a bit. Good time to explore the Modernist architecture, check out some local theatre, and eat your way through the restaurants without fighting crowds. Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when nothing major is scheduled.
April — Holy Week Brings the Culture
Holy Week runs April 3-6 in 2026, with Good Friday on the 3rd. Reus goes all out with over 70 events starting on Palm Sunday. The religious processions are pretty impressive even if you’re not religious—traditional music, ceremonial acts, and centuries-old traditions playing out in the streets. It’s heavy on the cultural heritage vibe, which can be really moving if you’re into that.
May — Outdoor Season Kicks Off
May is when Reus remembers it has great weather. Open-air concerts start happening, food fairs pop up, and suddenly everyone’s eating on terraces. It’s basically the warm-up act for summer’s big festivals.
June — Sant Pere (The Big One)
What Goes Down
Sant Pere typically happens June 24-29, and it’s absolutely massive. Here’s what you need to know:
Correfocs — Devils and dragons with actual fireworks running through the streets while brave (or crazy) people dance in the sparks wearing protective gear. It’s loud, it’s hot, and it’s absolutely insane in the best way.
Castellers — Human towers that defy physics and common sense. Teams compete to build the tallest, most complex structures using only people standing on each other’s shoulders. When a tiny kid climbs to the top and raises their hand, everyone goes nuts.
Giants and parades — Huge puppet figures representing historic characters parade through town. The religious procession on June 29th honors Saint Peter, but honestly, the whole week is one long party with fireworks, street dances, and music in every plaza.
Why It Matters
This is THE festival that defines Reus. Everyone who can be there shows up. It’s centuries of tradition mixed with modern concerts and activities designed so kids can join the fun too—there’s even a children’s fire run that’s less terrifying. Fair warning: it’s loud, crowded, and goes very late.
July — Summer Night Vibes
July keeps the party going with outdoor movies, evening concerts, and terrace culture in full swing. The Mediterranean nights are perfect for wandering around with a drink in hand.
August — Summer Celebrations Continue
August has the Assumption Day celebration on the 15th, plus various cultural programs. It’s also when you can hop to nearby towns for their festivals—the whole region is basically one big party circuit.
September — Misericòrdia (The Local Favorite)
The Main Events
September 12-25 brings the Festes de Misericòrdia with around 100 events packed in. You’ve got parades with giants and traditional figures, fire shows, concerts in Plaça del Mercadal, and a special kids’ parade on September 23rd. The whole thing builds to September 25th—the official holiday—with a procession down to the Misericòrdia Sanctuary and a massive pyromusical finale.
Why You’ll Love It
Misericòrdia feels more authentic and less touristy than Sant Pere. You get the same fire runs and traditional celebrations, but with more of a neighborhood vibe. Plus, late September weather is perfect—still warm but not brutally hot.
October — Autumn Eats and Culture
October is gorgeous—harvest season brings amazing food and wine, the weather’s comfortable for walking around, and you can actually get into museums without lines. It’s ideal for exploring without the festival madness.
November — Cozy Autumn Traditions
November 1st is La Castanyada, which is basically Catalonia’s version of autumn harvest celebrations. Everyone eats roasted chestnuts, panellets (sweet almond cakes), sweet potatoes, and drinks sweet wine. It started as a way to honor the dead—the chestnuts symbolize departed souls—but now it’s mostly about eating delicious seasonal food with your family. Not flashy, but really lovely.
December — Christmas Magic
The Christmas market in Plaça del Mercadal runsfrom November 30 through December 23, open 9 AM to 9 PM daily. You’ve got traditional crafts, decorations, food, gifts—the whole nine yards. There are also fairs at Parc de Sant Jordi, a craft market through January 5th, and a giant illuminated sphere with light shows in Plaça de la Llibertat. The city even holds prize drawings worth 4,000 euros for market shoppers. It’s festive without being overwhelming.
Quick Reference (Because Who Has Time?)
Real Talk: What You Should Know
Book hotels way ahead for June and September—I’m talking months in advance. These festivals fill up fast.
The fireworks and firecrackers (tronades) are LOUD. Like, set-off-car-alarms loud. If you’re sensitive to noise, bring earplugs or maybe visit during quieter months.
Almost everything is free, which is amazing. You’re not dropping 50 euros per person just to attend—you just show up and join in.
Spanish festival schedules run late. Really late. Events often start at 6 PM or later and go past midnight. Embrace it, take afternoon naps, and live like a local.
Quick Answers to Your Burning Questions
What’s the absolute biggest festival?
Sant Pere in late June (June 24-29). It’s the one everyone talks about.
When’s Misericòrdia again?
September 12-25, 2026, with the main day on the 25th.
Is it worth going off-season?
Totally. January has Three Kings, February’s got Carnival, April’s Holy Week is beautiful, and December is pure Christmas charm. Something’s always happening.
Do I need tickets?
Nope, most stuff is free and open to everyone. Occasionally,y a special concert might need tickets, but the main festivals are public.
Reus parties all year long, but if you can only pick two months, make it June for Sant Pere and September for Misericòrdia. That said, even the “quiet” months have charm—sometimes the best travel stories come from stumbling onto a neighborhood celebration nobody told you about. This city keeps Catalan traditions alive in the best way possible: by making them loud, fun, and open to everyone who wants to join. Way better than just hitting the typical tourist spots, trust me.
