What are the Fires de Sant Narcís?
The Fires de Sant Narcís are Girona's festa major, the city's main annual festival, held in honour of its patron saint, Sant Narcís. His feast day is 29 October, a local holiday in Girona, and the celebrations last about ten days around it. The 2026 edition ran from 23 October to 1 November, with close to 200 events.
"Fires" means fairs. For generations, people from all over the province have come to town at the end of October for the fairground, the markets and the parties, and they still do.
The legend of the flies
In 1285 a French army under King Philip III besieged Girona. The story goes that when French soldiers broke into the tomb of Sant Narcís, in the Basilica of Sant Feliu, a huge swarm of flies poured out. The flies attacked the soldiers and their horses until the army had to retreat. Ever since, the fly (la mosca) has been one of Girona's symbols, and you'll see it everywhere during the Fires.
What's on
- Castellers. The Diada castellera in the Plaça del Vi, in front of the town hall, where teams build human towers several storeys high. A child, the enxaneta, climbs to the top and raises a hand to "crown" the castell.
- The correfoc. At night, devils (diables) and fire-breathing beasts run through the old town, spinning fireworks over the crowd. It's thrilling, loud and not for the faint-hearted.
- Giants and big heads. Parades of gegants and capgrossos, the huge papier-mâché figures of Catalan festivals, much loved by children.
- Concerts. Free and ticketed concerts most nights, including the big stage on the Copa esplanade in the Parc de la Devesa.
- Sardanes. The Catalan circle dance in the squares. Anyone can join in.
- The fairground and fairs. Rides, stalls and the Fira de Mostres trade fair, the "fires" in the name.
Chestnuts and panellets
The Fires end with the Castanyada on 31 October and All Saints' Day, 1 November, a public holiday across Catalonia. Street stalls sell paper cones of roasted chestnuts (castanyes) and sweet potatoes (moniatos). Bakeries fill with panellets, little marzipan sweets rolled in pine nuts, traditionally eaten with a glass of sweet muscat wine.
Tips for visitors
- Check the programme. The Ajuntament de Girona publishes it each October, and most events are free.
- For the correfoc, wear old cotton clothes with long sleeves, closed shoes and a hat or hood, and protect your eyes. If you'd rather watch than run, stand back at a corner or on a side street.
- Arrive early for the castellers. The Plaça del Vi fills up fast.
- Plan around 29 October. It's a holiday in Girona, so many shops close, but it's the busiest day of the festival.
- Bring a jacket. Late October days are usually mild and sunny, but evenings are cool and it can rain.
- Book accommodation early. Hotels fill up for the festival.
Learn Catalan during the Fires
Our Fires de Sant Narcís festival week follows the Girona Essentials format: Catalan class every morning, then castellers, sardanes and the festival in the afternoons and evenings, with a guide who knows where to stand. Small groups, max. 8.
Catalan words for the Fires
- Bona festa major!: Happy festa major!
- les fires: the fair. les atraccions: the fairground rides.
- els castellers: the human-tower builders. l'enxaneta: the child at the top.
- el correfoc: the fire run. els diables: the devils.
- els gegants: the giants. la mosca: the fly.
- una paperina de castanyes, si us plau: a cone of chestnuts, please.
Autumn in Girona
October is a beautiful time to visit. The Garrotxa beech woods start to turn, the light is soft, and the Costa Brava is quiet again. Combine the Fires with a day trip from our 3-day itinerary, or read about Girona's spring festivals, Sant Jordi and Temps de Flors. And in December, it's time for Christmas, Catalan style.