The Festa Major de Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is the town's principal annual fiesta in early September, anchored by the symbolic Fil-loxera dragon (the phylloxera-louse character that represents the 1887 vineyard plague).
Tip: The Fil-loxera fire-run is held on the festival's opening Friday and is the most photographed event of the week. Wear cotton clothing for the spark show.
Cavatast is the principal producer-led Cava tasting event of the Penedes calendar, held on the first weekend of October across the streets and Plaça de l'Ajuntament of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia.
Tip: Buy a tasting bracelet at the central marquee, which includes the official glass and 12 tasting tokens. The producer tasting opens earlier on Saturday than on Sunday.
The Festa de la Verema in Sant Sadurni d'Anoia opens the Cava harvest season with grape-treading demonstrations, blessing of the grapes ceremonies and outdoor tastings at the wineries of Plaça de l'Ajuntament.
Tip: The grape treading happens twice on Saturday afternoon; arrive 15 minutes before the published slot to get a good viewing position.
Cavatast is the principal producer-led Cava tasting event of the Penedes calendar, held on the first weekend of October across the streets and Plaça de l'Ajuntament of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia.
Tip: Buy a tasting bracelet at the central marquee, which includes the official glass and 12 tasting tokens. The producer tasting opens earlier on Saturday than on Sunday.
Most Festival is the Penedes international wine-and-Cava cinema festival, held in early-to-mid November across cinemas and tasting venues in Vilafranca del Penedes (Penedes leg) and the Priorat region (late-November Priorat leg). Screenings of wine-themed films are paired with producer tastings each evening. The festival has run since 2011 and combines a juried documentary competition with public tasting programmes.
Tip: Festival passes include the film screenings plus tasting flights at partner cellars and restaurants. Buy the multi-day pass for the cellar pairing dinners.
The Fira de la Candelera is a centuries-old multi-disciplinary market and trade fair held in Vilafranca del Penedes around the Candlemas feast day in early February.
Tip: Entry to the fair grounds is free; tasting flights at the wine pavilion require a Vinkit tasting glass purchased on site.
Vijazz Penedes is the regional wine-and-jazz festival held in Vilafranca del Penedes across four days in late June or early July. Around 50 Penedes wineries pour current-release Cava, still whites and reds in a tasting marquee beside the Vinseum wine museum, with concert programming on three stages each evening. The festival has run since 2007.
Tip: The standard tasting pass covers wine plus general admission to the jazz concerts. The premium pass adds reserved seating at the main stage.
The Festa de la Verema in Sant Sadurni d'Anoia opens the Cava harvest season with grape-treading demonstrations, blessing of the grapes ceremonies and outdoor tastings at the wineries of Plaça de l'Ajuntament.
Tip: The grape treading happens twice on Saturday afternoon; arrive 15 minutes before the published slot to get a good viewing position.