For one balmy night in July, visit Calella de Palafrugell and be seduced by the velvet voices of the renowned havaneres performing the Cantada — singing of traditional Habanera songs that takes place on the beachside town square Plaça de Port Bo and broadcast live onto the giant screens installed on other beaches in and around Calella.
The first informal Cantada took place in 1966. Since then this popular event has been organized by the Friends of Calella Association, l’Associació d’Amics de Calella (AVAC), who moved it to the Port Bo square in 1969, where the Cantada occurs today. The main concert usually begins at 10:30 pm and continues for two hours, after which the action moves into more intimate spaces with smaller performances happening in taverns around town.
One of the main attractions of the Cantada is the beach party that inevitably accompanies the event, with boats mooring in the coves and thousands of people packing the Calella beaches to listen to music, indulge in drinks and hang out on floaties by the shore. Arriving early is highly recommended!