The fiesta of Sant Cristófol is the town fiesta for Es Migjorn Gran and is held annually on the last weekend in July or the first weekend in August and the dates vary. Each year the same series of events and traditions are held across the Saturday evening and Sunday. Some times indicated are approximate.
SATURDAY
17.00h – Ringing of the Bells & Parade of Giants
To advise of the start of the fiesta bells are rung and at the same time the Band of Migjorn Gran parades through the town with els gegants i capgrossos, the giants and big heads.
18.00h – Primer toc des Fabiol i Tambor
First flute and drum of the fiestas.
The whistle blower known as the Fabioler plays the drum and whistle to start the fiesta on the steps of the town hall, and starts to round up the horses around town. Then the drum and whistle is played for the first time in front of the council and the crowds.
Next the flag of Sant Cristòfol is given to the Caixera Fadrina to carry on horseback during the fiestas.
Following tradition, they then lap the town collecting the rest of the horses and riders that make up the cavalcade known as la Qualcada.
19.00h – Caixer Capellà, Caixer Batle, El Bastó
The cavalcade then returns to the town hall where the Caixer Batle who presides over the cavalcade and the fiestas receives el bastó as a symbol of leadership over the fiestas.
Once all the horses have joined the cavalcade they proceed to collect the priest, Caixer Capellà, then the cavalcade completes es Caragol, which is the lap around the central streets of the town before returning to the town hall to leave the horses.
20.00h– Celebració de les Solemnes Completes
The riders leave their horses and proceed on foot to the the religious ceremony in honour of Sant Cristòfol in the town church.
20.30h – Sa Beguda de Caixers, Cavallers i Autoritats
After the mass the riders proceed on foot to the Recepcion offered by the local council. The supper for the horse riders is known as sa beguda.
After the reception the riders return to their horses and fall into tha cavalcade making a còmplete lap of the town again on their way to Sa Plaça.
21.00h – Jaleo en Sa Plaça
The horses and rideres participate in the first Jaleo of the fiestas in Sa Plaça played by the Band of Es Migjorn Gran, amongst the crowds.
Then the cavalcade completes three more laps of the town, on the second acompanying the Caixer Capellà to his home and the third the Caixer Batle. The Cavalcade then retires for the night.
SUNDAY
8.00h – Sa Banda de Música des Migjorn Gran
The band wakes the town up first thing in the morning to start the day of the fiestas.
9.00h – Es Replec de Sa Qualcada
The Fabioler starts the day again with the same start from the evening before collecting the caixers, caixeres, flag and horseriders round town finishing with the Caixer Capellà. The cavalcade then completes a lap of the town heading towards the town hall where they leave their horses.
10.15h – Missa Solemne de Caixers
Next the riders head on foot to the church of Es Migjorn for mass Missa Solemne, with the caixers and authorities. Rosewater is passed on at this mass and is known as l’aigua-ros.
12.00h – Jaleo a Sa Plaça
Once again the Jaleo is played with the presence of the horses in the main square and the riders are given symbolic green reeds and silver spoons. They complete three laps of the square then complete three laps of the town and plazas of Es Migjorn Gran.
15.30h – Passacarrers i Beguda Popular
The band of music of Es Migjorn Gran passes from the church to the town hall to acompany the horse riderse and authorities to the reception called Sa Beguda Popular hosted by the town council.
Despedida i l’aigua-ros
After the reception the cavalcade accompanies the Caixer Batle and Caixer Capellà back to their homes and the rose water is passed from home to home around the town by the riders. The cavalcade then retires.
