The 4 casteller groups of Tarragona and the Santa Tecla 2026 celebration: everything you need to know

The Santa Tecla casteller day in Tarragona is a unique spectacle where the city's four groups show their best side on September 23rd. This tradition attracts thousands of people to the historic center to enjoy a display full of emotion and teamwork.

The castells are a symbol of Tarragona, a key element along with the Popular Procession, the Correfoc, and the Walking Pillars that form an essential part of the main festival.

The four casteller groups of Tarragona

Which groups participate in Santa Tecla?

In Tarragona, four casteller groups coexist, each with its own personality: Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo and Castellers de Sant Pere i Sant Pau. Each has its own headquarters and a different way of understanding the casteller culture, but all share protagonism in the Santa Tecla day.

How do the groups interact within the event?

The four groups perform in turns according to a prior draw. Unlike a competition, there are no scores or judges, but a joint exhibition that shows the best technique and coordination of each.

How the Santa Tecla casteller day works

How does the day of September 23rd unfold?

The event consists of three rounds of castells where each group tries to complete their constructions. If they fail, they can have up to two more attempts, always respecting the order established by the draw.

What is the climax of the day?

The end is highly anticipated: the pillars are carried out following the order and culminate with the traditional pillar on the balcony, where the enxaneta crowns the tower. All this is accompanied by the vermouth playing with grallers and timbalers, adding a festive and emotional touch to the closing.

Tarragona Castells Competition: what sets it apart?

How does the Santa Tecla day differ from the Official Competition?

The Tarragona Castells Competition is a biennial contest with judges and official scoring, usually held between late October and early November. It brings together groups from all over Catalonia, not just the city.

Why is it important not to confuse these two events?

Although both are major casteller meetings, the Santa Tecla day is a festive and local exhibition, while the competition is a competitive display and a point of reference at Catalan and international levels.

The Walking Pillars, which take place the day after Santa Tecla, are a unique event where the four groups meet again to carry out a deeply rooted tradition in Tarragona. This activity complements the day and reinforces the unique character of the castells in the city.

For more information, you can consult the complete Santa Tecla 2026 guide and discover all the details of the festival program.

The four groups and their participation in the Santa Tecla day are a living reflection of the culture and community of Tarragona, the capital of the Camp de Tarragona. The casteller tradition not only shows strength and balance, but also the essence of a territory that intensely lives its major festivals.