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Do you want to experience an authentic calçot celebration? Do you want to put on a bib and eat calçots with romesco sauce as if there's no tomorrow? Mark this date in your calendar: Sunday, January 26, 2025. It's the day when Valls, the world capital of calçots, dresses up to celebrate one of Catalonia's most iconic gastronomic festivals: the Great Calçotada Festival. There will be contests, parades, demonstrations on how to grill calçots, public tastings, and much more.
History of the Calçotada Festival
The calçot, a tender and elongated green onion that Catalans adore, dates back to the 19th century. Several versions exist about its origin. It's said that a farmer from Valls, popularly known as the Xat de Benaiges, had the brilliant idea of cooking onions over a fire without peeling them. That's how the calçots as we know them today were born. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that the tradition of the calçotada became a collective gastronomic experience, thanks mainly to the restaurants in Valls that gave it a special touch.
The Calçotada Festival was institutionalized in the 1980s and has since grown into a phenomenon that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. Fun fact: The calçot season runs from November to April. They're grilled over wood flames and served with a special calçot sauce, known as romesco. The Calçot de Valls PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) spans four regions in southern Catalonia: Baix Camp, Alt Camp, Tarragonès, and Baix Penedès. The Calçot de Valls, by the way, is grown following traditional and largely manual farming practices, in a process that takes over a year!
What does the Calçotada Festival entail?
Visiting Valls during the Calçotada Festival is like stepping into a calçot-themed amusement park. The streets are filled with stalls selling local products, parades, demonstrations of flame-grilling calçots, and contests for calçot growers, among other activities. The day starts early with demonstrations of how calçots are grilled and contests for both growers and sauce-making. In 2025, in addition to the traditional sauce, there will also be a demonstration of calçot sauce recipes adapted for celiacs and those with nut allergies.
Then comes the most entertaining part: the Calçot-Eating Contest. This isn't about eating elegantly; it's about how many calçots you can devour in record time. The current record is around 300 calçots in 45 minutes. Don't ask about dessert! Meanwhile, Valls' casteller groups, the Colla Jove and Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls, will perform their traditional human towers.
Throughout the day, there will also be parades, bustling markets to shop for products, music, and many other activities that combine culture, gastronomy, and fun. Additionally, several restaurants offer the chance to enjoy a full calçotada, complete with sausage, grilled meat, beans, and, of course, red wine and oranges for dessert.
Why calçots are so special in Catalonia?
The Calçotada Festival is more than just eating calçots; it's about everything it represents. The calçot has become much more than just an ingredient; it's practically a symbol of Catalan identity. And this festival, more than any other, celebrates these roots while inviting everyone—locals and visitors alike—to join in. It's also an ideal celebration for all types of people: families with kids, groups of friends, or couples looking for a unique Sunday winter activity. It's a festival you must experience at least once in your life.
Fun facts about calçots
- The calçot: A nutritious gem. Besides being finger-licking good, calçots are low in calories, high in fiber, and a great source of antioxidants.
- The weight of a calçot. To be considered premium quality, a Calçot de Valls must have 15 to 25 cm of white stem and weigh about 100 grams.
- Personalized bibs. Every year, thousands of bibs featuring the festival's logo are distributed, which many visitors keep as a souvenir.
Tips to make the most of the Calçots Festival
- The center of Valls fills up quickly, so if you want to enjoy the most popular activities, it's worth arriving early.
- If you'd like to enjoy a full calçotada at a local restaurant, it's essential to book restaurant in advance.
- Wear comfortable clothes and don't worry about stains! Bibs are the official accessory of the day, so forget about picture-perfect Instagram photos and just enjoy.
- Take advantage of your trip to explore the surrounding area or the city of Valls itself, such as the Casteller Museum of Catalonia, the Roser Chapel, or the city walls.
If you're looking for a unique getaway, the Calçotada Festival is waiting for you. Valls invites you to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind experience where food, culture, and good vibes take center stage. So get your bib ready, make some room in your stomach, and let yourself be carried away by the most authentic flavors of Catalonia.
On the other hand, if the Calçotada Festival in Valls is too far for you, a great alternative is to gather family and friends at a rural house to host your very own calçotada!