The what's on section will mention some of the more prominent events in Girona and nearby areas. For a more detailed listing try the Girona town hall website www.ajuntament.gi or, if you are in Girona go to the Girona Tourist Information office in the old town La Rambla and browse the leaflets or ask any of the multi-lingual staff at the desk.
29th Gran Festa de Calcotada in Valls (2010 date 31st January)
http://www.cambravalls.com/Calçotada/ check the website for an explanation in English. I've written about this vegetable elsewhere on my site and hope to add a personal review later as we went there in 2010, with some video of the event.
Girona's Temporada Alta or Autumn Festival, 1st Oct.-11th Dec.2009. Various musical, theatrical and cultural events at many locations in Girona and nearby Salt. www.temporada-alta.cat or tel 972 419 010
English Xmas Fayre, EOI building C/Illa, Dec.3rd 2009 stalls 20€, proceeds to Caritas charity. Gifts, books, raffle, food, cakes & carols.
Girona's annual St.Narcis Festival starts October 23 to 1st Nov. 2009.
Re-enactment of the Napoleonic war with France, stalls in Devesa park, 13th Sept.09.
Medieval suppers in Porqueres, 29th Aug & 5th Sept, 09 www.soparsmedievals.com
Girona's 10th Religious Music Festival is from 26th June to 12th July, 2009. Concerts are held in many different venues, paid and some free (usually the free one's are on the Girona cathedral steps). Running alongside it is the Foods from Around the World (Mercat de les Cuines del Mon) everyday from 7pm in Placa dels Apostols, at the top of the cathedral steps and to the right. More at www.ajuntament.gi/musiquesreligioses
Jazz Pera 09. Catalan jazz festival for the Baix Emporda area, 3 dates, 19, 29 & 27th June, details on www.jazzpera.net
Beer Festival (Cervesa Tast), St. Antoni de Calonge June 19-23, at the Pavello Firal.
Street Art (Exposicio d'Art al carrer) Huge metallic sculptures by Manolo Valdes on display until June 28th in La Rambla de la Llibertat and nearby carrer Nou. Very impressive.
It appears that the French Tour de France is coming through Girona on the 9th July 2009. First time event.
Girona's flower festival (Temps de Flors) is on between May 09-May 17th 2009 and well worth a visit.
WIth Easter nearly upon us there's a chance to go and see the La Processo La Dansa de la Mort in nearby Verges, more info at their website www.laprocesso.com We went this year, well worth it if you don't mind the waiting! (review pending).
The Black Music Festival is on again in March (various locations) http://www.blackmusicfestival.com/2009
Museum of Girona City has an exhibition of ' Images of Chaplin' (Charlie Chaplin) until March 09.
The Auditori de Girona or Palau de Congressos as it's also known, behind the Fires de Girona building has a rolling programme of musical and theatrical events throughout the year. We recently saw the internationally known 'Stomp' here. Tickets for all their shows can be bought from the Auditori box office (restricted opening times) or better still online, and through the Servi- Caixa network of ATM's.
Xmas Fayre, The Girona Grapevine group is holding a xmas fair at the H.Q. of the Caritas charity opposite the La Merce building, just behind Girona's town hall. Stalls selling English things! Saturday 13th December 2008, 11am-6pm.
Temporada Alta 2nd. Oct. to 7th Dec. 2008 An annual event. Theatre and music at various venues in Girona and Salt www.temporada-alta.cat
Girona St. Narcis Festival 24th Oct. to 2nd Nov. 2008. Numerous events, music, attractions, book, art, antique and food markets crop up all over Girona for 9 days, culminating in a giant firework display on the final day(weather permitting). The La Devesa park becomes a giant fairground, and tons of hot-chestnut vendors, all well worth seeing and parking anywhere is impossible!
X111 Festival de Poesia de Girona (Poet Fesitival) 19th Sept. to 15th Oct 2008 more info at www.casadecultura.cat
8th Girona Jazz Festival, 24th Sept. to 18th Oct. www.festivaldejazzdegirona.com/plantilla.php
The site is in Catalan. Plenty of artists playing at numerous venues in Girona, ticket prices vary.
Walk for Life Costa Brava, Sept.21st from 10.00, in Estartit. Cost 15€ register on www.walkforlifecostabrava.com
Supporting Cancer Research UK & AECC- Contra Cancer Catalunya. Walk, run or jog 5K, first time event but also planned for 2009.
The 28th Torroella de Montgri Music festival, 18th July to 26th August 2008
You pass through this small town on your way to the coastal resort of Estartit. Torroella has a number of cultural events throughout the year, this one in particular is chiefly classical music concerts held in specially prepared outdoor arenas and squares, surrounded by the towns historic buildings. Soloists, choirs and symphony orchestras feature, tickets can be bought from the box office at no.26 C/ Primitiu Artigas.
S'Agaro International Music festival, 19th July to 23rd August, 2008.
Rodoreda Romanya
Romanya de la Selva is a charming, old medieval village just 25 minutes from Girona, above Santa Cristina d'Aro. It's cultural centre called El Refugi is hosting an interesting programme of events throughout the Spring and Summer of 2008, mainly to commemorate a famous former inhabitant the Catalan writer Merce Rodoreda. Besides Art and photographic exhibitions, sculptures and engravings, events include reading recitals, an opera night, a jazz night, flamenco and attendances by important figures from Catalan TV, radio, music and literature. Here's a list of the concerts:
10th July, Opera with Tina Gorina, Ina Kancheva and Stanislav Angelov.
17th July, Opera with Jordi Cortada, Sandra Codina and Marta Pujol.
7th August, Jazz with La Vella Dixieland and Marian Barahona.
14th August, Flamenco by Las Migas
24th August,Concert De Clausura with Jordi Cortada, Liesbeth Devos and Lucas Blondeel. www.elrefugi.es
Girona Flower Festival.(Temps de Flors) 2008 dates May 10-18 www.gironatempsdeflors.net
Cathedral steps left, in
2007 and right in 2008.
Girona's flower festival is a time when many public and private places in Girona are adorned with flowers and artwork. Private courtyards are open to the public and its a chance to see some otherwise hidden parts of Girona come alive with flowers. Most of it is within the old town (barri vell) area where numerous monuments, museum courtyards, small patios (patis) and the public garden areas have floral and conceptual art exhibits.
There is a marked, numbered route (about 50 stops in all ) that you can follow and it's best to pick up a special map from the tourist information office in the La Rambla. Try to avoid the first weekend as the town gets very busy with visitors and local restaurants hike-up their prices during the festival week! Floral and photography competitions also feature.
St. Feliu festival of music, dance and theatre. For more details and to book tickets online www.portaferrada.com