Sant Cugat's Ball de Gitanes Breaks Records and Expands to New Squares

Nearly 1,000 people registered for the traditional Carnival dance, leading to the creation of a new community-led event.

Generic image of the traditional Ball de Gitanes dance in a Catalan square.
IA

Generic image of the traditional Ball de Gitanes dance in a Catalan square.

Around 800 dancers gathered in Sant Cugat del Vallès this February 14th to perform the traditional Ball de Gitanes, marking a historic milestone for the city's Carnival celebrations.

With a record-breaking 992 applicants, the main event at Plaça d'Octavià reached full capacity. This surge in interest led to the Gitanes Desoctaviades, a grassroots initiative where 150 people performed at Plaça de Barcelona to ensure no one was left out of the festivities.
The celebration also featured a satirical opening speech by the Gall de Carnaval. The proclamation addressed local issues such as the housing crisis, cultural budget cuts, and the long-awaited opening of La Unió theater, blending tradition with social activism.