Girona's festival calendar is closely tied to Catalan tradition. Here are the main events.
Temps de Flors
The most famous festival is Temps de Flors, held every May for about ten days since 1955. Monuments, churches, private courtyards, squares, stairways and gardens in the old town, many normally closed to the public, fill with floral installations created by artists, architects, schools and associations. The cathedral stairway is covered with flowers. Entry to the courtyards is free, but the city is very crowded, especially at weekends: visit on weekdays or early in the morning.
The Fires de Sant Narcís
In late October, around the feast of St Narcissus (29 October), the city's patron, the Fires de Sant Narcís bring a week of funfair, concerts, markets, gegants and capgrossos, sardanas, castells, fireworks and the correfoc. Legend says that during the French siege of 1285 swarms of flies emerged from the saint's tomb and drove off the invaders: that is why the fly is one of Girona's symbols, and in October fly-shaped sweets and souvenirs are sold.
Other festivals
- Holy Week, with the Sant Enterrament procession on Good Friday and the parade of the Manaies, traditional Roman soldiers with plumed helmets and drums (see Holy Week).
- Sant Jordi (23 April), with books and roses on the Rambla.
- St John's night (23 June), with bonfires and coques.
- The Girona music festival and summer concerts in the gardens.
- Christmas, with the market in Plaça de la Independència and nativity scenes.
See also Spanish traditions and the sardana.