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Sitges Corpus Christi: when to see flower carpets and the carnation exhibition

To see Sitges’s Corpus Christi carpets choose Corpus Sunday in the local programme and arrive before the procession. In 2026 it was 7 June. The carnation exhibition in Hospital Sant Joan Baptista’s gardens had visiting days from 6 to 14 June. These activities have different durations. Check your edition’s programme before planning travel.

Peony against a dark green background
Colour and shape vary between cultivars. Use it as a visual reference rather than to identify a plant.

First choose what you want to see

The carpets and exhibition are part of Sitges Corpus Christi but call for different visits. The carpets occupy stretches of streets and are prepared for the procession. The exhibition brings together carnations grown in pots in Hospital Sant Joan Baptista’s gardens. Its name, National Exhibition, does not make it a celebration throughout Spain.

The 2026 programme set the carpets for Sunday 7 June and exhibition opening days for 6–14 June. For another edition check its local programme. Do not use La Orotava’s Thursday or assume the carpets remain intact throughout the festivities. This guide covers a visit to Sitges rather than proposing a fixed annual date.

The exhibition shows carnations as plants

Cultura Sitges describes the exhibition’s carnations in pots and participation by growers and schools. Look at differences between blooms and at each whole plant. This differs from seeing petals and plant material spread across a carpet. The carnation page helps distinguish a plant to care for from stems to give as a gift.

In 2026 public opening was on 6–14 June from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm. Sundays 7 and 14 had continuous opening from 10am to 8pm. The programme places the gardens at Carrer Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer, 2. Treat these details as references for that edition and check current hours and access before travelling.

The guided visits on 9 and 11 June 2026 were announced for 7pm to 8pm with advance booking. Visiting the exhibition independently and joining a guided visit are different options. Check registration for the tour you want. If you can only come on a weekday look for the exhibition rather than expecting Sunday’s carpets to remain complete.

Creation or finished carpets before the procession

The 2026 programme announced drawing and flower preparation from 10pm on Saturday 6 June. Carpet-making continued from the early hours until noon on Sunday 7. Evening Mass was scheduled for 7pm with the procession afterwards. The 7pm time belongs to Mass rather than an exact procession departure.

To watch a carpet take shape choose part of the creation period and leave room for the team. For finished designs ask which stretches are ready and visit before the procession passes. For example, on a visit of a few hours choose a street section and add the exhibition if its hours fit. Ask Tourism about access and breaks if someone needs to avoid steps or rest.

Help with a task before buying flowers

The 2026 edition announced overnight preparation and carpet-making as open to everyone. The programme also offered an evening guided visit with a chance to join a carpet afterwards. This openness lets you ask for a task but does not mean every section needs whatever flowers you bring.

You could say: “I would like to help with your carpet. Do you need hands to prepare materials or a specific contribution? I would rather find out what is missing before buying.” If you agree to bring flowers confirm amount, colour, preparation and delivery with the team. The transport guide helps once you know what to bring. A description of traditional materials is not an invitation to gather plants in the surrounding area.

The Vinyet offering belongs to the closing event

The 2026 PDF places the closing event on Sunday 14 June at 7.30pm in the hospital gardens. Afterwards it announces a gathering at the sanctuary of Nostra Senyora del Vinyet for the collective carnation offering. This is another part of the festival rather than the procession over the carpets on the 7th. The 7.30pm time starts the closing event and is not an exact flower reception time at the sanctuary.

To join the offering check the current programme and ask how floral contributions are arranged. Visiting the exhibition does not mean you should buy a bouquet or bring a pot. The documents establish the collective event rather than unrestricted acceptance of any format. To give carnations to someone after the visit choose the gift according to their taste and where they will receive it.

Frequently asked questions

When can I see Sitges’s Corpus Christi carpets?

Look for Corpus Sunday in the local programme. In 2026 it was 7 June and carpet-making ran from the early hours until noon. Plan a walk before the procession passes to see finished works.

Does the carnation exhibition last as long as the carpets?

No. In 2026 the exhibition had opening days on 6–14 June in Hospital Sant Joan Baptista’s gardens. Street carpets belonged to the 7th. Check opening hours for the edition you want to visit.

Can I help make a carpet?

The 2026 programme announced open participation in preparation and creation. Check the current announcement and ask a team which task it needs. Bringing flowers should be agreed separately.

Is the Vinyet offering on carpet Sunday?

In 2026 it was announced after the closing event on Sunday 14 June. The carpets were made on the 7th. Check the main day and closing event separately before choosing when to come.

Sources and what they support

How we put these guides together

We consult institutional sources to check dates and customs. For plant facts, we use horticultural sources. Our gift ideas start with each flower’s appearance and the recipient’s taste. A shop link documents a particular offer. It does not prove that a flower is popular or part of a tradition. We keep adding to this selection rather than claiming to cover every species.

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