Every September, Catalonia dresses up to commemorate its National Day (Diada Nacional), a date marked by historical memory, cultural vindication and the shared pride of its people. It is a day when tradition, emotion and symbolism intertwine, bringing together thousands of people in different parts of the region.
From the grand avenues of Barcelona to the most intimate squares of towns such as Tarragona, Salou, Cambrils and Vila-seca, the day is lived with intensity and manifests itself in many ways. Institutional events, tributes, floral offerings, cultural activities and popular events shape a celebration that transcends the merely historical to become a reflection of collective identity.
If you want to learn more about this festivitiy, we recommend Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services to easily reach Barcelona and Costa Dorada from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and the Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Discover the Origins of the Diada of Catalonia
The War of Succession and the Fall of Barcelona
11 September 1714 was etched into the history of Catalonia with the fall of Barcelona to the Bourbon troops of Philip V during the War of Spanish Succession. After more than a year of siege, the city succumbed, ending the resistance of the Catalan institutions and marking the end of a political system that had allowed a high degree of self-government.
The Memory and the First Commemorations
Throughout the 18th century and much of the 19th century, the memory of that 11th of September remained in the popular and cultural sphere, especially in Barcelona.
Offerings in honour of the fallen defenders became a discreet but persistent tradition, linked above all to the Fossar de les Moreres, the place where many resistance fighters were buried.
It was at the end of the 19th century, in a context of rising political and cultural Catalanism, that 11 September became established as a day of collective commemoration. In 1886, a large floral offering was organised for the first time at the monument to Rafael Casanova, head of the Barcelona government during the siege.
From Prohibition to Official Recognition
Throughout the 20th century, the Diada experienced periods of prohibition and clandestinity, especially during the Franco dictatorship, when public demonstrations were harshly repressed. However, popular sentiment kept the commemoration alive. After the restoration of democracy in 1980, the Parliament of Catalonia officially declared 11 September as the Diada Nacional of Catalonia, recognising it as a public holiday and a symbol of collective identity.
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Highlights of the Diada Nacional of Catalonia
History of Catalonia in Barcelona
In Barcelona, the Diada offers a range of cultural activities that go beyond institutional events. The day offers a rich programme that includes open-air concerts, traditional dance performances and open days at landmark institutions such as the Museum of the History of Catalonia. Inside the museum, the permanent exhibition ‘La memòria d’un país’ (The Memory of a Nation) offers an interactive journey through the history of Catalonia —from prehistory to the present day— in audiovisual form.
The Diada Castellera in Tarragona
In Tarragona, the Diada of Catalonia takes on a unique dimension thanks to the city’s status as a ‘Ciutat de Castells’ (City of Human Towers). The main event, the Diada Castellera de la Diada Nacional de Catalunya, is held every 11th of September in the iconic Pla de la Seu, in front of the cathedral, with the participation of the city’s four main human tower groups —Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo and Colla Castellera Sant Pere i Sant Pau— delivering a cultural spectacle steeped in tradition and emotion.
Tradition, Music and Popular Culture on Costa Dorada
On Costa Dorada, the Diada of Catalonia is also celebrated with a strong emphasis on popular traditions and citizen participation. Towns such as Salou, Cambrils and Vila-seca design a diverse programme each year that combines institutional events with cultural manifestations deeply rooted in Catalan identity.
In Salou, the day will feature a floral offering at the monument to Rafael Casanova, a solemn gesture that has become a symbol of historical remembrance. Music and rhythm will then take centre stage in the celebration, with a performance by the Ball de Bastons de Salou and traditional sardanes in the Plaça del Carrilet.
Cambrils presents a varied programme that combines music, institutional ceremonies and culture. The day before, on 10th of September, the Parc del Pinaret will become the epicentre of the festivities with the Diada Concert, featuring groups such as Pepet i Marieta, Buhos and Fescat Goes Punk, as well as entertainment by DJ Dimuca. The following day, the Parc del Pescador will host the institutional event of the Diada Nacional of Catalonia, with the participation of the Verge del Camí Choir and the Colla Castellera Xiquets de Cambrils, as well as the traditional floral offering to the monolith.
Finally, Vila-seca also joins in with cultural and commemorative events in the castle gardens, which maintain the essence of the Diada: a day for citizens to come together, where music, dance, institutionalism and a sense of identity intertwine to consolidate the importance of this date in the collective memory of the municipality.
Your Transfer to Barcelona and Costa Dorada
The Diada is more than just a date on the calendar, but a space for reflection on the history and future of Catalonia. Shuttle2Sun offers low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services for your transfer to Barcelona and Costa Dorada from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
