Formentera, 30 August 2025
On Sunday, 31 August, the village of Es Caló celebrates its patron saint’s day in honour of Sant Agustí. The event brings together locals and visitors each year in an atmosphere shaped by tradition and community spirit, reclaiming the intimate character that sets these celebrations apart.
The programme kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with a misa sonada, one of the central acts of the festival. This is followed by the ball pagès, led by the dance groups Es Pastorells and Es Xacoters, who offer a display of Formentera’s most authentic folklore.
Next, attendees are treated to bunyols and Ibizan herbal liqueur, a simple yet eagerly awaited gesture that adds a local flavour to the festive afternoon and marks the end of August. The event draws a large crowd keen to share in this cultural and gastronomic experience.
Although the official date of Sant Agustí is 28 August, in Es Caló it is traditionally celebrated on the last weekend of the month. This makes it easier for more people to attend and strengthens the community spirit of the festival.
A return to the roots
Until 2019, and for the previous nine years, the Es Caló festival was a large-scale event that marked the end of Formentera’s summer festivities, featuring concerts and DJ sessions that attracted big crowds. However, that format led to issues of noise and littering around the village, especially near the boat sheds.
In response, Es Caló residents organised a vote and decided to put an end to that model of celebration. The vast majority opted for a return to a more intimate and respectful format, focused on the village’s patron saint and the revival of its most traditional customs.
The value of tradition
This new approach has allowed Es Caló to recover the essence of its patronal festivities, giving prominence to religious acts, traditional dance, and moments of togetherness among neighbours. This commitment to simplicity strengthens cultural identity and encourages intergenerational participation.
The Sant Agustí festival proves that tradition remains a powerful draw for both residents and visitors. Its growing recognition as an authentic gathering confirms that local celebrations, when rooted in respect and heritage, have the power to endure and become a vital part of Formentera’s social life.
I’m Ramón Tur, the person behind everything written and photographed on this website about Formentera. I discovered the island in 1972 when my parents, aboard the mythical Joven Dolores, took me on vacation from Ibiza for the first time, and it was love at first sight that has only grown stronger over time, making Formentera my place of residence for many years now. If you wish, you can follow me on Instagram @4mentera.com_
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