January 19-20 - "Tamborrada de San Sebastian".
Located 473 kms. from Madrid; international tourist center with fine beaches.
Masquerade, with all town people participating, assembles in Plaza del 18 de Julio, proceeding through old parts of San Sebastian; next morning - children's masquerade and procession down from Mount Urgull, accompanied by "tamborradas" (typical tambourine music].
Santander Province - no fixed date - Fiesta de "La Folia".
Located 63 kms. from Santander, amidst beautiful scenery; Parish Church [National Monument]; castle ruins; ancient palaces, hospitals and chapels.
Fiesta in honour of town's Patron Saint, Virgen de la Barquera, honored by local sailors. Image of Virgin raised on shoulders of sailors in typical dress; procession with participation of local guilds and fraternities, groups of "picayos", "Carlos V" dancers, musical bands, through ancient streets to harbour, where image is placed on altar; folklore performances followed by maritime procession with Virgin on decorated boat, to sanctuary, accompanied by singing and cheering. Pilgrimage and popular festivities.
Oviedo Province - April 4 - Fiesta de los "Huevos Pintos" [painted eggs].
Located 13 kms. from Oviedo; Roman bridge over Nora River; church with Roman remains.
"Huevos Pintos" cooked in soot in typical Asturian kitchen, chestnut and oak giving eggs their color; painted decoratively and sold at street stalls. Many folkloric events, dances and great Folklore Parade, of typical Asturian character.
San Sebastian Province - June 29-July 2 - "Alarde de San Marcial".
Located 18 kms. from San Sebastian on French border; beach; salmon fishing.
Fiesta commemorating Spanish victory over French at Battle of San Marcial; processions, mock battles, many typical festivities and celebrations.
Bilbao Province - June 29 - "Fiestas de San Pedro".
Located 55 kms. from Bilbao; summer resort with important beaches and abundant fish.
Typical dance; "Kaxarranca"; male dancer, dressed in black and white, borne by eight others, dancing over wooden chest, to sounds of "txistu" and tambourine. Originates in antique ordinances of local Fishermen's Fraternity.
Navarra Province - July 6-20 - "Fiestas de San Fermin"
Located 430 kms. from Madrid; capital of ancient Kingdom of Navarra; old town walls, gardens, Cathedral, churches, etc.; excursions to surrounding castles and monasteries.
Fiesta commences with "chupinazo" [mythical figure] being shot on balcony of Casa Consistorial, and pealing of bells; musical bands, bagpipe players and "txistularis" parade in streets. At 5.45 a.m. next day musical bands, etc. announce enclosing of bulls to be fought in afternoon: famous traditional bull-running through streets from corral to Plaza de Toros, preceded by audacious "aficionados". Also fireworks, children's competitions, animal fairs and daily bullfights.
Oviedo Province - July 30 - "Fiesta de los Vaqueiros de Alzada".
Located 100 kms. from Oviedo, in western Asturias: 16 kms. away - Aristebano Mountains, with "Vaqueiros de Alzada" - ethnic rancher groups maintaining ancestral customs.
Festival celebrated in Brana de Aristebano; assembly of folkloric groups with classical instruments - tambourines. castanets. etc. "Vaqueira Wedding" - young couple and guests walk to chapel, all dressed in typical attire. Great rancher dinner, exhibits of dancing, songs and ballads; election of Vaqueirada Queen, etc. In order to participate - essential for men to wear "montera picona" (peaked cap) and for women "saya asturiana" [Asturian shirt]. "Gaita" music only.
August 4 - "Fiesta de la Virgen Blanca"
Located 353 kms. from Madrid; Gothic Cathedral in old section, on hill top.
Festivities begin with shooting of the "chupinazo" by Mayor on balcony of Casa Consistorial; descent of "Celedon" mythical figure from San Miguel tower, amidst smoke and chiming of city and surrounding village bells; musical bands interpret popular "Celedon". Early next morning, on Patron's Day, begins procession of Rosario del Aurora in old part of city, towards San Miguel Parish Church. "Salve" sung before image of Virgen Blanca (white Virgin). Throughout fiesta days, reveilles are sounded at 9 a.m. Bullfights, popular festivals and songs, colorful "blouse" groups, and gigantic figures. On last night - great celebration in Florida Park, terminating with great bonfire in Plaza de Espana; "Celedon" returned to San Miguel tower.
Navarra Province - August 4-9 - "Fiestas Oficiales".
Located 44 kms. from Pamplona; monumental town, major point on Santiago Pilgrims' Route in Middle Ages; churches, monasteries; especially interesting San Pedro de la Via Ouarter; historic Montejurra (mountain of Tradition); Berrueza Valley; 18th century temple on Monte de la Pena.
Typical feature of this festival - groups of young men continuously going around streets; music and brass bands; curious "enclosures" for women; processions with folklore, dancing, bagpipes, etc. Popular sports, carnival figures, fireworks. On 9th, famous "abadeja" - open air meals prepared by different groups of young men, typical dish being "ajoarriero" (cod stew).
Oviedo Province - August 5 - "Fiestas de Ins Piraguas de Asturias".
Located 84 kms. from Oviedo; important summer resort, with fine beach; excursions to Covadonga.
Festively decorated trains from Oviedo, Gijon and Llanes leave for Arriondas, where at 11 a.m. procession sets out for bridge over Sell River; descends to banks of river, and canoes leave on 18 km. stretch accompanied by land vehicles of all kinds, until Ribadesella bridge is reached. Pilgrimage to Ova, festive meal, folkloric events. To participate it is recommended to wear floral collar, cloth cap and Asturian vest.
Santander Province - August 6 - "Fiesta del Coso Blanco".
Located 76 kms. from Santander; summer resort with excellent beaches; ancient castle; abundant game, Fireworks begin festivities; artistic illumination of town; musical bands and parade of carriages participating in contest; spectacular flower contests, nautical contests, musical concerts, bullfights, songs and religious celebrations.
Oviedo Province - August 12-31 - "Fiestas de San Roque".
Located 11 kms. from Oviedo; seaside resort with pleasant beaches.
Fiestas in honour of pilgrims crossing on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Celebrations include a folklore festival on 16th Aug. with rich "Llaniso" taste, traditional Asturian dress, and traditional pilgrims' dance performed by children; on 18th Aug, famous fair ["verbena"] in "Vega de Portilla", with large numbers of people attending from entire countryside.
Navarra Province - August 20-27 - "Misterio de San Guillen y Santa Felicia".
Located 24 kms. from Pamplona; strong Navarran traditions.
"Mystery Play" representing lives of San Guillen and sister Santa Felicia, Three major scenes with mime and processions: 1] The Way to Cornpostela, 2] Martyrdom of Princess Felicia, 3] Intervention of Virgen de Arnotegui.
Santander Province - August 27-September 3 - "Batalla de Flores".
Located 50 kms. from Santander; excursions to San-tillana del Mar. Altamira. etc. 13th century Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion; tourist center with finest beaches.
Celebrations consist of parades of floats representing scenes of Spanish life or of immediate locality, poetic and native scenes, etc. Flowers and colored paper decorations; prizes for winners.
September 19 - "Dia de America en Asturias".
Located 444 kms. from Madrid, amidst green scenery; fine monuments in vicinity, including very well preserved 9th century church.
Festivities begin with morning Mass in the university; followed by afternoon procession - floats, music bands and folklore groups, including Asturian and international ones. International Folklore Festival in Plaza de Toros.
Vitoria Province - December 24-25 - "Misa del Gallo".
Located 43 kms. from vitoria; ruins of Monasterio de los Padres Jeronimos; Romanesque Hermitage; ancient tombs of unspecified date, 1 km. from town.
Festival dating back to late Middle Ages; principal feature - "danza de los pastores" (shepherds' dance] in typical dress.
Oviedo Province - no fixed date - "Fiesta del Pastor'".
Located 75 kms. from Oviedo; capital of old Asturian Kingdom during Reconquest; Roman bridge; Covadonga sanctuary nearby; excursions to mountain peaks and lakes; salmon fishing in Sell River.
Fiesta celebrated in Enol plain, at foot of Covadonga Mountains; pilgrimage honoring shepherds, begins with Mass in Capilla del Buen Pastor [Good Shepherd Chapel]. Sports competitions in Porra de Enol, swimming and other aquatic events in Lake Enol; horse races; typical games: choirs and dance groups perform regional music and dance, including contest.