Els Pastorets de Berga

When the December chill arrives and the first mists begin to drift across the Berguedà region, Berga prepares for one of its most beloved and deeply rooted Christmas traditions: Els Pastorets de Berga. This performance, presented by the La Farsa theater group, transports the audience to a Christmas steeped in local heritage, a time of traditional villages in sheepskin coats and berets, mountains like Pedraforca, hermitages, and other emblematic corners of the region.

A homemade Christmas, at home

Since 1900, when " The Cradle of Jesus" by the Catalan playwright Serafí Pitarra was first performed, Els Pastorets de Berga have kept alive a tradition that combines biblical history with the everyday life of the people of Berguedà.

The scenery does not transport you to the ancestral Nativity scene, but to the streets, squares and landscapes that are familiar to Berguedà residents and visitors: the medieval square of Santa Magdalena, the temple of San Quirze de Pedret, the Font del Guiu, or its nearby peaks and forests.

This "homemade" reinterpretation makes the play resonate with everyone who visits Berga, whether they're from the area or arriving for the first time in search of a different kind of Christmas. Angels and demons, shepherds and villagers coexist with the small human passions: love, greed, kindness… And—as a local from Berga says—the Pastorets are "our winter Patum," an intimate and heartfelt celebration, full of roots and authenticity.

Humor, criticism and carob beans: the Berguedá spirit

One of the unique features of these Pastorets (Christmas plays) is the so-called "algarrobas": 44 satirical verses recited with humor and social commentary, offering an ironic review of local events and figures, including politicians, customs, and anecdotes. This tradition, which also originates from Pitarra's original text, has evolved to adapt to the Berguedà region, but it has retained the spirit of the people's lively and critical perspective.

The result is a spectacle that not only commemorates a religious Christmas, but also celebrates the identity of Bergueda, the common life, the joys and contradictions of a people who recognize themselves in their land, their landscape and their stories, with a smile.

When and where?

The 2025/26 performances will take place at the Berga Municipal Theatre in several sessions between December 25 and January 11. Special prices will be available for children and adults, with tickets available for advance purchase.

• Thursday, December 25, 2025 - 9:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 26, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 3, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 11, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

Don't miss it!