The events calendar in Roses Costa Brava is much richer than one might imagine when thinking of this seaside resort. Roses isn't just a summer destination – it's a vibrant town all year round, with a remarkable festive and cultural calendar running from February to December. Lively Carnival, music festival at the Citadel, medieval fair, craft beer festival, Saint John's Eve bonfires on the beach... There's always a good reason to visit Roses beyond the peak season.
Stay in our Sea-view apartment with panoramic terrace or our Renovated flat in Canyelles Petites and make the most of this exceptional calendar to organise a trip around an event. Here is the complete calendar of the Roses Costa Brava Events 2026, month by month.
🎭 February - The Roses Carnival
The Roses Carnival is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year on the Costa Brava. In 2026, it takes place from 12th to 16th February – five days of unbridled festivities in the streets of Roses.
The highlight is the grand carnival parade on the Avenue de Rhode: float parades, costumed troupes, choreography prepared over months, concerts, and popular dances under a marquee. The festivities begin with the symbolic arrival of His Majesty King Carnival and conclude with the traditional burial of the sardine.
It's a popular, family-friendly and very colourful festival – ideal for an out-of-season winter weekend in Roses, with attractive prices and an authentically Catalan atmosphere.
💡 Advice: Book your accommodation early – the Carnival attracts a lot of visitors and availability reduces quickly around the main weekend.
🍴 Mars - The DO Empordà Tapas and Wine Route
The "Ruta de les Tapes" (Tapas Route) of Roses and DO Empordà Wine is one of the most popular gastronomic events on the Costa Brava. In 2026, it will take place from March 13th to 22nd – ten days during which almost 100 establishments in Roses will be offering a special tapa for just €3.50, accompanied by a glass of DO Empordà wine.
Fish and seafood, rice, meats, fusion cuisine, creative desserts… each restaurant vies for inventiveness to offer the best tapa and win the popular jury's vote. Participants collect stamps at each establishment – a fun way to explore the whole city on foot, drink in hand.
A dedicated Route Tapas Roses app (Android and iOS) allows you to design your own gastronomic route and vote for your favourite tapa via QR code.
💡 Advice: This is an excellent time for an out-of-season weekend in Roses – accommodation is available at attractive prices, the town is lively and the gastronomy is in the spotlight. Check the official programme at visit.roses.cat.
🌸 April - St George's Day and Holy Week
St George's Day (23 April)
April 23rd is the Catalan festival of lovers and books – the local equivalent of Valentine's Day but far more cultural. According to tradition, men give a rose to women, and women give a book to men. Throughout Catalonia, the streets are covered with stalls selling roses and pop-up bookshops.
In Roses, the main avenue transforms into a lively floral and literary market. It's a delightful date to visit the town in spring.
Holy Week and Easter
Holy Week processions are a living tradition in Catalonia. And Easter in Roses offers much more than religious celebrations – check out our Complete guide to Easter holidays in Roses to find out all about activities, the weather and good places to go during this period.
May-June - Gastronomy, Middle Ages and Saint John
EmpuriaTast (late May / early June) – Castelló d’Empúries
Just 10 minutes from Roses, Castelló d’Empúries hosts EmpuriaTast, a major gastronomic event dedicated to local produce and Empordà wines. Tastings, cooking workshops, local producer stands – it’s the rendezvous for epicures in the region.
Medieval Fair Na Mercadera (first weekend in June) – Peralada
Just 20 minutes from Roses, the historic centre of Peralada transforms into an authentic medieval village on the first weekend of June. Craftsmen in costume, period merchants, street performances, jousting, and entertainment for the whole family – it's an immersive 700-year journey into the past, set against the exceptional backdrop of Peralada Castle.
St. John's Eve (23 June)
The night of June 23rd is one of the most festive of the year in Catalonia. On the beaches of Roses, large bonfires are lit at midnight – an iconic Catalan tradition that mixes music, dance, and collective revelry. The atmosphere on the beach of Roses that night is absolutely unique.
July-August - The season of major festivals
Sons del Món – The Citadel of Roses ⭐
This is undoubtedly the most original cultural event in Roses. The Sons del Món (Sounds of the World) festival offers concerts by international artists in exceptional settings: the Citadel of Roses, the Chapter House of Vilabertran, the Basilica Square of Castelló d’Empúries – and even on a catamaran off the port of Roses, under the stars.
Each concert is accompanied by a wine tasting of the Alt Empordà and a gastronomic offering – a complete sensory experience that goes far beyond just the concert.
💡 Book your tickets well in advance – the catamaran and Citadel evenings are very quick to sell out.
Sea Shanties Festival – Calella de Palafrugell ⭐ (first Saturday of July)
It is one of the most magical and authentic events on the entire Costa Brava. Every first Saturday in July – on July 4th in 2026 – Port Bo beach in Calella de Palafrugell transforms into an open-air stage for the Cantada d’Havaneres, broadcast live on TV3 in front of 40,000 spectators.
Havaneras are a musical genre that originated in Cuba in the 19th century, brought back by Catalan fishermen upon their return from the Caribbean. This swaying blend of Cuban rhythms and Catalan traditions is now inseparable from Costa Brava's culture. Boats moor in the bay to listen to the groups from the sea. On the beach, *cremat* – that warm punch made with rum, coffee, lemon, sugar, and cinnamon – is prepared in large copper pots. It's a unique sensory experience, one that must be lived at least once.
About 1 hour 30 minutes from Roses by car – a day trip that combines perfectly with a visit to Calella de Palafrugell and its coves.
💡 Book your tickets in advance South havanerescalella.cat – Seating at Port Bo gets snapped up very quickly.
Begur Music Festival (Fridays in July-August)
Since 1977, the Begur Music Festival has been offering quality concerts every Friday evening during the summer in an exceptional setting: the Pati de les Escoles Velles, the courtyard of the Old Schools in the heart of Begur's historic centre, nestled against one of the 17th-century defence towers. In 2026, the 49th edition will be held in October according to the official Costa Brava calendar.
Jazz, swing, classical music, flamenco, Havaneres, ethnic rhythms – the programme is deliberately eclectic to appeal to the widest possible audience, at very accessible prices. Begur is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved villages on the Costa Brava, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Roses.
TramuntanArt – El Port de la Selva
Every summer, El Port de la Selva hosts TramuntanArt, an exhibition of contemporary art inspired by the Tramontane wind and the landscapes of Cap de Creus. The 15th edition will be held in July 2026. Combine it with a visit to the village and a swim in its crystal-clear waters.
Cap Roig Festival
Less than an hour from Roses, the Cap Roig Festival is one of Spain's most renowned music festivals. Concerts by international artists set in the Cap Roig botanical gardens, overlooking the Mediterranean – a magical setting for summer evenings.
Crossing of the Bay of Roses (July)
This open-water swimming competition takes place every summer in the magnificent Bay of Roses, a member of the club of most beautiful bays in the world. Open to all levels, it attracts swimmers from all over Europe in an exceptional setting.
🍂 September-October - The festive late season
Land of Troubadours (September) – Castelló d’Empúries
The Terra de Trobadors medieval market in Castelló d’Empúries is considered one of the most beautiful and authentic on the entire Costa Brava. For several days in September, hundreds of re-enactors dress up as medieval merchants, artisans, warriors, and troubadours. Entertainment, shows, period gastronomy – a unique experience for the whole family, just 10 minutes from Roses.
Craft Beer Fair (11-13 October) – Roses
On 11, 12 and 13 October, Roses will be hosting its Craft Beer Fair in front of the town's cinemas. A convivial weekend dedicated to the region's craft breweries, with tastings, entertainment and a festive atmosphere. An excellent reason to extend the season in Roses until October.
Costa Brava Jazz Festival – Palafrugell (October)
Since 1994, the Costa Brava Jazz Festival in Palafrugell has offered a jazz programme each autumn across several stages in the town: the municipal theatre, squares and inner courtyards. The 2025 edition took place from 8th to 12th October – the 2026 dates will follow the same schedule.
Meanwhile, the Off Festival enlivens the bars and restaurants of Palafrugell with live concerts, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the village. To be combined with our September-October holiday guide to Roses.
DO Empordà Grape Harvest
September marks the grape harvest in the vineyards of Empordà. Several estates around Roses and Peralada are opening their doors for visits and tastings. An authentic experience for wine lovers, in a landscape of vineyards facing the sea.
💡 To find out all about the late season in Roses, check out our Comprehensive guide to September-October holidays in Roses.
🎄 November-December - The cultural autumn
High Season – Girona
Less than an hour from Roses, Girona hosts the Temporada Alta each autumn, one of the most important theatre and dance festivals in Spain. A quality international programme, held in the heritage spaces of Girona's old town.
Christmas Markets – Figueres and Girona
Figueres (30 minutes) and Girona (1 hour) come alive in December with enchanting Christmas markets and sumptuous decorations. An ideal getaway for lovers of winter atmosphere, to be combined with a visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum of Figueres.
💡 Our tips for organising your trip around an event
Book early: The Roses Carnival, Sons del Món festival, and Terra de Trobadors event generate high demand for accommodation. Don’t leave it until the last minute.
Combine event and season Carnival in February, Sant Jordi in April, Sons del Món in July, the Beer Fair in October – each event corresponds to a Ideal time to visit Roses.
Enjoy off-season events: Carnaval, EmpuriaTast, Terra de Trobadors and the Beer Fair take place outside the high season – prices are more attractive and the overall crowds are more manageable.
Us apartments with sea view in Canyelles Petites are available all year round to organise your stay around one of these events. Book your holiday rental in Rosas directly with us, without service charge.
To organise your visit around an event, consult our Weekend guide to Roses.
❓ Frequently asked questions about Roses' calendar
When is the Roses carnival held? The Roses Carnival takes place in February, around Shrove Thursday and the weekend before Ash Wednesday. In 2026, it will be held from 12 to 16 February.
Are there any festivals in Roses during the summer? Yes – the Sons del Món festival is the most iconic, with concerts at the Ciutadella de Roses, in the region's villages, and on a catamaran. The Cap Roig Festival, less than an hour away, is also unmissable.
What is Sons del Món? Le Sons del Món (Sounds of the World) is a unique music festival that combines concerts by international artists, gastronomy, and wines from the Empordà region within exceptional historical settings around Roses. In 2026, Zaz and Trueno are part of the line-up.
When is the craft beer fair in Roses? The Roses Craft Beer Fair is held every year on the second weekend of October, in front of the Roses cinemas. In 2026, from October 11th to 13th.
What is the Terra de Trobadors? Terra de Trobadors is a large medieval market held every September in Castelló d’Empúries, 10 minutes from Roses. Hundreds of costumed participants recreate the atmosphere of a medieval village for several days – it is one of the most original events on the Costa Brava.