If you're planning to spend August in the counties of Barcelona, here's a small taster of what you'll find: the Main Festival and Day of Sant Fèlix in Vilafranca del Penedès encapsulates what these festivals are all about. Don't miss the amazing human tower building in Plaça de la Vila. The Main Festival of Vilanova i la Geltrú, in honour of Mare de Déu de les Neus (Our Lady of the Snows) features traditional dancing and the launch of the twelve mortarets (loud rocket fireworks). In the Main Festival of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, in Sitges, declared a festival of national interest, you can enjoy the spectacular fireworks display, the entry of the grallers (musicians who play the gralla, a traditional Catalan instrument with a strident sound) and the traditional moixiganga (the Stations of the Cross performed as a folk dance in parades).

If you travel to Igualada for the main festival, join in the dancing, the special meals and the most popular traditions. Manresa, capital of the county of Bages, also celebrates its main festival at the end of August, marking the end of the summer holidays for the crowds of people enjoying all the fun. Don't miss the pregó (opening speech), the cercavila (street parade), featuring the gegants and nans (papier mâché giant and dwarf figures), the correfoc and diables (street parade with groups of people dressed as devils who light fireworks), and the tronada (firecracker display) in the Plaça Major. Taradell, in the county of Osona, celebrates the traditional Toca-sons Festival as part of its main festival. In the pregó (opening speech) the chief constable and his militiamen inform the townsfolk that Toca-sons and his gang of bandits are wandering around the outskirts of town. Last of all, the Main Festival of Granollers is well known for the good-natured rivalry between two groups, the whites and the blues, who vie with each other to whip up the best festive atmosphere. Are you brave enough to predict this year's winner?

You can follow the calendar of festivals from town to town and experience all sorts of ancient traditions. Check the events calendar.