Early June
July
2nd fortnight July
July 24 and 25
Antique and Second-Hand Book
Via Stellae Festival (Festival de
Compostela Festival “Músicas do
Festigal
Fair
Música de Compostela e os seus
Mundo”
Celebration of Galicia Day with a
Copies of recent publications at a
Camiños) Recommended!!!
Galician (Celtic) folk music and music
free festival featuring music and
good price, decades- or even
An ancient and baroque music
from the rest of the world. Roots
trends made up of 48 hours of
centuries-old books, documents
festival featuring more than 30
and tradition, innovation and
concerts and other shows. Santiago
about Santiago and Galicia... A good
concerts in Compostela and 50
experimentation come together for a
University’s South Campus.
excuse for a spring stroll in one of
along the Way of St. James, by first-
few days, filling the evenings with
the city’s best parks. Parque de la
rate international artists.Rennasaince
cultural diversity. In Streets and
July-September
Alameda.
and avant-garde opera and chamber
squares.
Vive o Verán
music, works by contemporary
Outdoor leisure activities to make
2nd fortnight June
composers and exclusive European
the most of the city in summer.
“Festa do Circo” (Circus Festival)
performances for the festival. Several
Sports, film screenings, guided tours,
An annual event for New Circus
auditoriums and churches in the city
city and country routes, and a lot of
lovers, who can share short numbers
and along the Way of St. James.
initiatives for children. Organised by
(juggling, clown, acrobatics...),
Santiago City Council. Entire city.
rehearse collaborations and celebrate
Thursdays July-August
the vitality of circus arts along with
CurtoCircuíto na Rúa
August
international guests. Sala Nasa.
Recommended!!!
Thursdays August
Free screening of competing and
“CurtoCircuíto na Rúa”
June
prize-winning short films from the
Recommended!!!
Medieval Market
Curtocircuíto International Festival,
The old town streets and squares are
preceded by DJ sessions. Old town
decorated with banners and become
squares.
a medieval market with period stands, performances, games and night shows. Old town. June–July Santiago (é)Tapas Competition Recommended!!! A gastronomy pilgrimage in search of the city’s best tapa. See p. 54
Free screening of competing and Evening July 24 Fireworks display in honour of the Apostle Recommended!!! The “Apóstol” Festival includes this spectacular audiovisual, fireworks and laser display, which also features the burning of a large pyrotechnic castle recreating the Cathedral’s former Gothic façade. The spectacle can be viewed in Plaza del Obradoiro itself and at different strategic sites in the city (consult).
prize-winning short films from the Curtocircuíto International Festival, preceded by DJ sessions. Old town squares.
Evening July 31 2nd fortnight July. St. James’ Day:
End-of-festival fireworks display The “Apóstol” Festival comes to an
July 25
end with a big audiovisual and
“APÓSTOL SANTIAGO” FESTIVAL
fireworks display, similar to the one
August
Recommended!!!
in the evening of July 24 but without
Festival dos Abrazos
The city’s most important festival,
the burning of the Gothic façade. It
The festival promotes creative
dedicated to the Apostle James, patron
can be viewed in the Plaza del
dialogue among artists from
saint of Santiago, Galicia and all Spain.
Obradoiro itself and at different
different cultures and disciplines
It combines religious and official
strategic sites in the city (consult).
(music, theatre, circus, clown) in a
solemnity, traditional flavour and
hundred outdoor performances. Old
Evening June 23
entertainment, which turn the city
town and parks.
Eve of St. John’s Day
during a fortnight into a large fiesta,
Recommended!!!
with all kinds of events: music, street
Early August
A magical night. Santiago is full of
bands, open-air dances, exhibitions
“Música en Compostela”
“cacharelas” (bonfires) to keep away
featuring Galician dancing and
An annual event that has been held
the “meigas” (witches). There is a smell
costumes, etc. The most important
since 1957 and trains professional
of fire and sardines, which are grilled
days are July 24: fireworks display; July
performers and students from all
outdoors and accompanied by red
25: solemn mass with the presence of
over the world in Spanish music;
wine and “empanada” (Galician pie).
the royal household and also Galicia
concerts are organised in singular
And music... City neighbourhoods.
Day, with events bringing thousands of
venues, outdoors and indoors, in the
Galician residents to the city; and July
old town.
31: more fireworks. Declared to be of International Tourist Interest. Entire city.
Mid August Festival Compostela Organum Summer concerts. See May.
Professional Tourism Guide
51
cultural guide
Santiago is