La Semana Grande (The Big Week)

Perhaps the most famous and widely celebrated fiesta in Gijón is La Semana Grande, or “The Big Week.” Held every August, this festival is a grand celebration of the city’s maritime and cultural heritage, combining music, dance, fireworks, and a range of traditional activities. The event kicks off with a parade of giants and big-head figures (known as “gigantes y cabezudos”), and from there, the city’s streets come alive with an infectious energy.

During La Semana Grande, locals and tourists alike take to the streets to enjoy a variety of events, including open-air concerts, street performances, bullfighting (in a traditional arena), and traditional Asturian music. The festival’s climax comes with the breathtaking fireworks display, which lights up the sky over the city’s bay, offering an unforgettable visual spectacle.

In addition to its fun and festivities, La Semana Grande also celebrates Asturias’ culinary delights. Visitors can sample some of the region’s most iconic dishes, such as the hearty fabada asturiana (a rich bean stew), local sidra (cider), and queso de cabrales (blue cheese). The atmosphere is one of communal joy, and Gijón truly becomes a place of celebration for all who are lucky enough to experience it.

The San Pedro Festival

Another major festival in Gijón is the Fiesta de San Pedro, which takes place on June 29th. This fiesta honours Saint Peter, the patron saint of Gijón, and marks the beginning of the summer season in the city. The festival is especially significant to the city’s fishermen and sailors, who have long relied on the sea for their livelihoods.

The highlight of the San Pedro Festival is the procession of the saint through the streets, followed by a mass and traditional rituals at the harbour. On this day, Gijón’s harbour and waterfront become a focal point for locals, with families and friends gathering to enjoy the celebrations, including traditional music, dance, and sports.

The San Pedro Festival also brings with it a distinctively Asturian atmosphere. The city’s streets are filled with folk music, including performances of asturian bagpipes and gaitas (traditional wind instruments), which are an integral part of the region’s cultural identity. Traditional dances, such as the muñeira, are also performed, and visitors can often find themselves drawn into the joyous celebration.

La Fiesta de la Sidra (Cider Festival)

Asturias is famed for its cider, or sidra, and Gijón is the beating heart of the region’s cider culture. Every year, the city hosts the Fiesta de la Sidra, an event dedicated to celebrating this beloved beverage. Held in early August, this festival brings together locals and tourists for a day of tasting, toasts, and traditional cider pouring.

The highlight of the Fiesta de la Sidra is the “escanciado”, or cider pouring contest. This unique tradition involves pouring cider from a great height to create a perfect foam and flavour. The skill required to pour the cider in this manner has become a spectacle of its own, and spectators can even try their hand at this traditional art.

In addition to the cider pouring contests, the festival offers a wide range of events, including cider tastings, concerts, and other cultural activities. Visitors can enjoy some of the region’s finest ciders while dancing to lively music, making the Fiesta de la Sidra a must-attend for anyone interested in experiencing the true essence of Asturias.

The Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria

Another important celebration in Gijón is the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, which takes place in February. This religious festival honours the Virgin of Candelaria, the patroness of the nearby town of Cangas de Onís. It is a celebration deeply rooted in the religious traditions of the region, with processions, masses, and rituals taking place throughout the city.

The festival is a time for families to gather and pay homage to the Virgin, but it is also a social event, with lively street markets, food stalls, and performances. The celebrations combine the deeply spiritual and the festive, providing visitors with a unique experience that showcases the devotion and warmth of the Asturian people.

Carnival in Gijón

Though not as famous as some of the other Spanish carnivals, Gijón’s Carnaval is a celebration that should not be missed. Held in the days leading up to Lent, the Carnival of Gijón is filled with vibrant parades, costumes, and street parties. The city’s residents, young and old, don colourful costumes, often with a humorous or satirical twist, and take part in lively processions through the streets.

The Carnival celebrations also feature live music, dancing, and plenty of local food and drink. The festive spirit is contagious, and visitors will find themselves swept up in the infectious energy of the event. One of the highlights is the “entierro de la sardina”, a symbolic burial of a sardine that marks the end of the carnival season and the beginning of Lent.

Other Notable Festivals and Traditions

Beyond the major fiestas, Gijón also hosts a variety of smaller, but equally significant celebrations throughout the year. These include the Fiesta del Marisco (Seafood Festival), the Festival Internacional de la Canción (International Song Festival), and the Festival de Jazz de Gijón (Gijón Jazz Festival). Each of these events brings its own unique flavour to the city’s cultural calendar, showcasing everything from jazz music to the region’s rich seafood cuisine.