July
With
summer in full flow, it sometimes seems that the start of nearly every day is
heralded by the ringing of bells or the boom of rockets as fiesta after fiesta
is announced. It is worth looking out for local posters which will often have
useful information. Here are some of the principal events to look out for.
The
festivities in Castro Urdiales reach their completion with a celebration of the
Coso Blanco on 4th July.
The
following day (5th July), sees the start of the annual arts
festival, Aselart, in Mazcuerras, near Cabezón de la Sal. The exhibition is
based in the cultural centre adjacent to the church and includes installations,
workshops, music and dance. The festival prides itself on involving a large
number of the village’s residents with displays and installations dotted around
the houses, streets and public spaces. Activities continue until 31st
August although the art displays will remain in place until the end of
September.
While
it may not be as famous as the bull running at Pamplona, you will find 'San
Fermines' celebrations in the Tetuán district of Santander, from 6th to
14th July.
The feast of La Virgen del Carmen is celebrated widely across Cantabria on 16th July. There is a major procession in Santander as well as a maritime procession organised by the ferry company, Los Reginas. There are also major events in the Barrio Pesquero of the capital, as well as in Suances, Camargo and San Vicente de la Barquera.
The
following day, 17th July, you can travel back to a time when Santander and the
Cantabrian coast was a fashionable venue for the comfortably off holidaymaker.
Santanderinos will be decked out in their best early twentieth century outfits
to mark the Baños de Ola in the capital and elsewhere.
Santander’s
main summer event – Semana Grande – takes place from the 18th to the
27th of July. Throughout the week you can enjoy live music, street food,
local cuisine from the many ‘casetas’ and join the crowds as they mill around
the streets and open spaces of the capital. The polo field on the Magdalena
Peninsula is converted into a concert venue where you can see top local,
national and international performers.
The
Feast Day of Spain's national patron saint, Santiago, falls on Friday 25th and
is a regional Bank Holiday with celebrations taking place in towns and villages
across Cantabria. The same weekend sees the Cantabria Infinta Folk Festival
with concerts in San Vicente de la Barquera (26/27) and Puente San Miguel
(28th).
Cantabria
honours its institutions on 28th with civic and religious ceremonies. The
importance of the day is recognised with a Bank Holiday.
The
28th of July sees the start of the Santander Jazz Festival with concerts at the
Escenario and different venues across the city.
One
of the treats of the summer months is the opportunity to enjoy outdoor cinema
in the amphitheatre adjoining the Centro Botín on Santander's waterfront
(weather permitting). The programme includes recent successes, El 47 and
La Infiltrada. A full schedule of screenings can be found on the
centre's website Centro Botín.
June
With
more than sixteen hours of daylight around the solstice date, 21st
June, and with more consistently warm weather, Cantabria certainly has a summer
feel to it. Here are some of the most significant events taking
place across the region throughout the month.
The first catches of bonito (white tuna) often arrive in the quays in the first weeks of June. This firm, tasty fish is popular throughout the summer and works well in stews or as steaks to be fried or griddled, with each fishing port seeming to have its own method of preparing and presenting its favourite recipe.
1st
of June marks Children’s Day with events across the region. 1st June
is also the traditional day for moving cattle from their winter lodgings onto
summer pastures. To mark this event, on Saturday 7th, Santander will
play host to a parade of the local breed of cows, Tudanca. This traditional
event, known as Pasá de Tudanca, is being reintroduced onto the streets of the
capital after many years absence.
Meanwhile
over the weekend of 7th and 8th June you can enjoy the
bagpipe fiesta in Unquera, close to the border with Asturias. Participants and
competitors will entertain you with displays of traditional music from
Cantabria and other parts of Spain.
The main religious event this month is the
celebration of Pentecost on Sunday 8th June.
Friday
13th sees the feast of Saint Anthony which is celebrated in several
towns and villages including Caviedes, Gibaja and Asón, including San
Antonio Rock in Muriedas on Saturday 14th.
Folkomillas
- a celebration of regional, national and international folk music takes place
over the weekend 20-22 June in the magnificent setting of Sobrellano Palace,
Comillas.
Join
in marking the summer solstice on the appropriately named Calle Sol in
Santander on Saturday 21st June.
Torrelavega
kicks off the main music events of the summer with a three day festival on 19th,
20th and 21st June at El Malecón stadium with a full
programme of Spanish artists for you to enjoy, including top star, Melendi.
And
then the start of summer is declared with bonfires on the beaches of
Cantabria on the night of the eve of the feast of St John (23rd- 24th June).
All
along the coast, people gather to welcome the holiday season with many seaside
resorts combining the bonfires with live music and other events.
23rd June also sees the start of the Semana Grande in Castro Urdiales.
The Palacio de Festivales in Santander is the scene for a celebration of Cantabrian Folk Music on Wednesday 25th June. The gala will feature singing, dance and music including the piece Escenas Montañesas, composed in 1900 but never previously performed in public.
Enthusiasts of classic motorbikes can enjoy a rally and exhibition at Santa María de Cayón from 27-29 June.
The
final feast day of this month takes place on 29th June, Saints Peter and Paul
(although most celebrations are focused on San Pedro). Celebrations often continue
throughout the weekend and lead us into July...
May
One
of the pleasures of this month is seeing the results of much of the planting
from earlier in the year. Across Cantabria, many of the balconies, gardens and public spaces are
filled with glorious displays of geraniums, carnations, hydrangeas and other
brightly coloured flowers.
Our
month opens with a Bank Holiday on Thursday 1st May. Traditionally this is
marked with marches and demonstrations in the capital Santander, organised by
the Spanish Trades Union movement.
Sunday is dedicated with love and thanks to mothers
everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day! This special day for all mothers is
celebrated across Spain on Sunday 4th May.
On 15th May many areas mark the feast day of San Isidro. More commonly associated with Madrid, San Isidro is an important figure nationally and in Cantabria his feast day is commemorated in various places including Novales, Polientes, Guriezo and Marina de Cudeyo.
One
of Cantabria’s foremost sporting events, the ‘10 000 de Soplao’ takes place
this month. Starting in Cabezón de la Sal on the weekend of 17 and18
May, this multi-discipline extravaganza includes challenges for runners,
sea swimmers, ultra runners, cyclists, mountain bikers and walkers with a host
of gruelling events taking competitors to the coast and into the hills and
forests of the Saja-Nansa Valleys.
Sunday
18th May sees Cantabria’s museums open their doors for free, with
the opportunity to visit the many historical, artistic, cultural and
ethnographic centres across the region.
Religious
celebrations this month focus on Ascension Day which falls on 29th May
with events continuing into the following weekend and leading up to the marking
of Pentecost in June.
April
The start of April will see the major the major rivers in Cantabria - notably the Asón, Saja and Nansa rivers - overtaken by fishermen with the opening of the fishing season; salmon and rainbow trout are the most popular catches with prizes being offered for the first and largest specimens caught. The season finishes once the year's quota has been reached.
As spring progresses, so Cantabria becomes a favourite stopover
for migratory birds as they make their way to their summer homes. An especially
good location for spotting transient species are the marismas or marshlands that surround Santoña, to the east of Santander.
With its high mountains, dense forestry, abundant rivers and
extensive shoreline, Cantabria is home to a wide variety of bird species and
the importance of this aspect of nature is reflected in the large number of
bird protection zones (ZEPAs) to be
found in the region.
While you are likely to encounter any number of birds on even the
shortest walk, a number of sites are particularly noteworthy. These include the
mies (meadows) at Ajo, the walkway at
Pedreña (across the river from Santander), the Collado de Asón, the Vía Verde at Suances, the dunes at
Liencres and the upper station of the cable car at Fuente Dé.
Fans
of reggaeton music can enjoy a weekend of their favourite sounds at Cabezón de
la Sal’s Spring Festival from 4-6 April.
The month moves towards the solemnity and splendour of one of the
year’s key events: Semana Santa (Holy
Week), which culminates in Easter and in keeping with the season, the Palacio de Festivales in Santander is presenting a full performance of St Matthew's Passion by J S Bach on Saturday 12th. The main processions in Santander commence
on Palm Sunday (13th April) and continue throughout the week. Each
day there is a procession commemorating different events or characters from the
Gospel stories. These usually occur in the early evening and each day’s
solemnities are organised by one of the various religious groups who each have
their own distinctive outfit and accompanying band and sombre music.
Thursday 17 and Friday 18 are Bank Holidays and you can expect
banks, civic offices and most shops to be closed.
A truly remarkable interpretation of the events around Easter is portrayed in Castro Urdiales with the Pasión Viviente. This real life dramatization involves large numbers of residents of the town playing the parts of the different characters at various locations. The seafront castle makes a splendid backdrop for the display and the performance is broadcast via loudspeakers throughout the town. The drama begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday and continues through Good Friday. The Pasión Viviente takes over the whole of Castro Urdiales and rather like Corrales de Buelna with its reconstruction of the Cantabrian Wars (Guerras Cántabras – see August) and other towns in Spain such as Alcoy in Valencia, where they celebrate Moors and Christians, or El Rocío in Andalucía with its huge pilgrimage processions, the entire populace seems to be involved in some form or another.
A much smaller scale Easter ritual takes place in Soba, high in
the mountains at Asón. Here, the residents of the different districts mark
Easter by dressing in white and wearing red cross bands, their celebrations,
known as Pascuas de Soba, finishing
on Easter Sunday (Día de la Resurrección)
with a traditional communal gathering.
While Saint George is usually associated with being the patron
saint of England, his feast day (23rd April) is widely celebrated across
Cantabria including in the villages Vispieres, Cabrojo and Viérnoles.
The 23rd is also Book Day with all forms of literature and reading promoted. This is different from World Book Day and, since the date is said to mark the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the focus is more on works by Spanish speaking authors.
March
We can often enjoy warm, sunny days in March but beware false spring – the longer days can also be cold; summer is not here yet. The emergence from winter can cause confusion among bird, insect and animal life who may be tempted to leave their winter refuges too early. However, the extra ninety minutes that we gain this month do allow for the preparation of soil for planting and you may well spot the first of spring lambs, foals and new born calves in the fields.
marzas in the Cantabrian Parliament
The marzas that see out
the month of February often continue into the first days of March, for example
in Cartes, but are soon overtaken by one of the main events of the year: Carnaval. Ash Wednesday, marking the start
of Lent, falls on the 5th March and so the previous weekend is given
over to raucous partying, processions and fancy dress. Along with Santander,
all of the larger towns and villages will host a procession which is often
followed by live music or a DJ. The carnaval
celebrations in Santander, Santoña and Suances all enjoy particularly good
reputations and a common feature of all the processions is the active
participation - in terms of attending in full fancy dress – of the onlookers.
The Murgas in Santoña
If you are looking for a quieter Saturday evening then 1st
March sees a concert in The Concha Espina Theatre, Torrelavega,
commemorating International Women’s Day (which actually falls next Saturday, 8th
March). The concert features the music of female classical composers including
Louise Ferrenc and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel as well as female soloists.
Ash Wednesday, 5th March, sees religious processions in
Santander and elsewhere as Christians begin the season of Lent. Perhaps it is
the sombre heritage of the period of fasting and abstinence that contributes to
the remainder of March being a fairly quiet few weeks. However, not before the
second instalment of Carnival. While it may seem odd to have Carnival
celebrations once Lent has started, you can enjoy more processions and dressing
up in Cabezón de la Sal, Ramales de la Victoria and Unquera on the weekend 8th-9th
March.
International Women’s Day takes place on Saturday 8th March with the main street march and rally in Santander. Other events across the region also mark this important day, including a photography and artwork exhibition in Torrelavega, entitled Only Women.
The new season of bocartes fishing opens on Monday 10th March. This form of anchovy is especially associated with Cantabria and other regions bordering the Atlantic. The opened fish is often served in a vinaigrette containing oil, garlic, chilli flakes and red wine vinegar. It is a popular Cantabrian delicacy and widely available in good quality restaurants.
Tuesday 11th March is the day when Europe remembers
the victims of terrorism. This is poignant for Cantabria which witnessed a
number of incidents involving the Basque group ETA, including a deadly attack
in La Albericia, Santander in 1992 which claimed the lives of three civilians.
The figure of Joseph only makes a few appearances in the gospel
stories and yet he plays an important role in Christian teaching as the earthly
father of Jesus and the spouse of Mary. His feast day is commemorated on 19th
March and is celebrated across Spain as Father’s Day.
While it may not always feel very spring-like, March 21st
sees the official start of spring. Calle Sol in Santander hosts a live music
event to help you celebrate.
On Wednesday 26th March, the cinema attached to El
Corte Inglés in Santander is joining an international screening of a concert by
Imagine Dragons. These superstars are currently involved in a world tour tour and,
if you are unable to travel to one of the venues, the cinema screening presents
a good alternative.
The final weekend of the month – 29/30th - sees the clocks move forward one hour onto Summer Time.
February
The longer days in February – nearly two
hours are added to the day this month – allow gardens, allotments and farmland
to be tended in preparation for the more intensive work of later months, with
beans, corn and robust flowers being planted.
Monday 3rd of February sees the
feast of San Blas (Saint Blaise) who is widely regarded as the patron saint of
sore throats and medical specialists for ears, nose and throat. Celebrations will
take place over the previous weekend, including the related Candelaria events at Torrelavega and
Casar de Periedes, among others.
Saint Valentine´s Day falls on Friday 14th and romantic
hearts can look out for cards, chocolates and flowers in shops and stalls
across the region.
Hotel Bahía in Santander is hosting a musical event featuring the
music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons as interpreted by the string quartet
Candlelight on Sunday 16th February.
Towards the end of February, Cantabria
often enjoys the arrival of the first hauls of mackerel (verdel). With this catch, the region’s fishing ports
come to life after the winter and there is usually a small celebration to mark
the return to fishing activity.
Cantabria bids farewell to winter and
heralds the arrival of spring with marzas which normally take
place over the last few days of February, especially the 28th. The singers are
decked out in traditional Cantabrian dress and perform classic songs from the
region's folklore, many of which celebrate an end to winter and the beginning
of spring.
The night sky on 28th February presents a highly unusual event with seven planets all being visible to the naked eye, although you may need binoculars or a small telesscope to pick out the detail. If weather conditions permit, you will see Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Mercury and Saturn spread across the night sky. This could be a good opportunity to visit Cantabria’s astronomical observatory at Lora, close to Polientes and near the border with Castilla-León. Cantabria Observatory Let’s hope that the clouds keep their distance and allow us to enjoy this heavenly spectacle.
With Easter falling quite late this year
(Sunday 20th April), Carnival celebrations are put on hold until
early March.
January
Happy New Year.
An interesting astronomical fact to start the year; Saturday 4th January marks the perihelion: the day when the planet Earth is at its closest point to the Sun. Sadly, for us in the northern hemisphere, that proximity doesn't make things any warmer! However, if you find the long, cold, dark days of January something of a challenge then you might take comfort from the fact that, by the end of the month, the days will be forty-three minutes longer than they were at the beginning.
It is tempting to think of the winter months as a quiet time for farmers but there is still much fresh, local produce to be enjoyed at this time of the year. Local shops and markets will often have good stocks of broccoli, leeks, celery, cauliflower, spinach and cabbage. You might also find parsnips, swedes, turnips and fennel. Large farms and small allotments alike will be preparing to plant peppers, tomatoes, carrots, aubergines, radishes and peas.
Despite the winter, there is still plenty to celebrate
across the region this month, starting with the festivities of Los
Reyes Magos on 5th/6th January with the Wise Men of
the bible story making their dramatic appearance in towns and villages across
the region, often greeted with fireworks and parades. Many of the attractions
such as Nativity scenes, ice rinks and street markets will remain open until this
weekend. Traditionally it has been the 'Reyes' (Kings) who bring children their
gifts although they face increasing competition from 'Papa Noel'. Another
charming custom is for children to leave out shoes where the Reyes will deposit
any presents.
This year, the 5th coincides with La Vijanera -
a colourful and raucous event involving a series of dramatic episodes designed
to represent the renewal of activity in nature after the winter. Silió, near Molledo and close to the A67 motorway plays host and the drama
begins before dawn with children running through the streets of the village
ringing bells and continues through the day with all the proceedings taking
place against a background of noisy cow-bells, drums and the occasional
bagpipe. You can find out more details here http://www.vijanera.com/
Later in the month there are celebrations for San Sebastián on the 20th in Reinosa and Vargas which has its own special event named La Perola. The early Christian martyr, San Vicente, is associated with several place names in Cantabria and his feast day is marked widely across the region on 22nd January. Look out for local holidays, religious services and other events related to this saint, especially in San Vicente de la Barquera and Potes. Weather permitting, the celebrations in San Vicente include a cattle fair and ploughing competition.
December
Advent starts on Sunday 1st December and most towns and villages in Cantabria will be marking the beginning of the Christmas season. This usually involves the ceremonial lighting of Christmas illuminations, setting up Christmas trees and, in the larger towns, the opening of Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks and Christmas fairs. Also, many shops and supermarkets will be open this weekend to encourage shoppers into the Christmas spirit.
Santa's grotto in Cartes
It is worth looking out for local feast days and celebrations such as the feast of Santa Barbara in Puente San Miguel from the 2nd to the 6th of December or Santa Lucía on 13th December which is celebrated in Santander, Carrejo (south of Cabezón de la Sal) and elsewhere across the region.
With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday this year, the following day, 26th is an ordinary day, i.e. not a Bank Holiday while New Year’s Eve – with its traditional grape eating to accompany the chimes of midnight - tends to be celebrated within families.
November
Our month begins with a Bank Holiday for All Saints Day. Although essentially a religious occasion, the holiday also provides an opportunity to recover from the excitement and excesses of Halllowe’en.
The weekend of the 8-10 November sees the orujo fiesta in Potes. This lively mountain resort fills with visitors and local people intent on sampling the different varieties of orujo. The area around Potes, Liébana, is said to enjoy a micro climate, similar to that of the Mediterranean, which allows for the cultivation of wine-producing grapes which form the basis of the drink, orujo.
At Casar de Periedo on the weekend of 16-17 November, you can visit the Alubias festival. While this is primarily a celebration of the locally produced white beans, you can also try a wide variety of local Cantabrian produce, see traditional crafts and ornaments and enjoy Cantabrian music and dancing.
A really interesting local Cantabrian custom is la magosta – an opportunity to harvest and roast the edible chestnuts that grow abundantly in the woods and forests of the region. Each town or village in rural areas will have its own event, often accompanied by live music and dance.
The month ends with the feast of Saint Andrew (30th November) which is marked in many communities across Cantabria, including Castro Urdiales which hosts a maritime procession, Comillas and nearby Trasvía, where you will be treated to a local delicacy – hard boiled eggs!October
Although not strictly a fiesta, one of the real treats at this time of the year in Cantabria is to venture into the woods and forests to listen and, if you're lucky, observe the berrea. This is the mating season for deer and the sonorous baying of stags, the occasional duel, small herds of females and the splendid antlers make for a wonderful spectacle. A number of organisations organise trips which usually take place early morning or at dusk, and details can often be found on the web page of Cantabria Infinita.
Cantabria’s vineyards are steadily developing a notable reputation for producing good quality wine; white wines in particular. While the climate doesn’t lend itself to the depth or variety of wines from regions such as La Rioja, recent years have seen an increase in the number of bodegas operating across Cantabria. The villages associated with the bodega will often hold a fiesta in October to celebrate the wine harvest. A good example can be enjoyed in Potes over the first weekend of the month. 12th October is a national holiday and several different names are attached to the day: it is variously known as ‘La Virgen del Pilar’ – referring to a reported apparition by the Virgin Mary in Zaragoza in AD 40; Día de la Hispanidad - commemorating Columbus’ arrival on American soil in 1492 and Spain’s historical links with wider Spanish speaking world; and Day of the Armed Forces. The holiday is marked with military parades, religious processions and local fiestas across the region.
Oktoberfest is usually thought of as a German autumnal celebration but you can find good examples in Cantabria, for example at Laredo and Castro Urdiales with plenty of national and international beers for you to sample.
Cabezón de la Sal celebrates is historical association with mining, especially salt mining from where it takes its name, with la Feria de la Sal on 27th October. There will be displays, period costumes and other events for you to enjoy. Evidence of mining in the area can be found nearby at Udías.
Hallowe’en, on 31st October, provides an opportunity for people of all ages to indulge in lurid and scary dressing up. The streets are filled with zombies, vampires, witches and a wide range of characters from films, TV shows, comics and books.
September
Although many international and Spanish visitors to Cantabria will be heading home as summer draws towards its close, there is very little let up in the celebrations and festivities across the region.
The final events and closing ceremony of the Guerras Cantabras take place on Sunday 1st September.
San Vicente de la Barquera celebrates its Mozucu over the weekend of 7 - 8 September. Look out for the local dish, sorropotún, which is shared communally on the beach.
Spain's principle cycling event, La Vuelta, visits Cantabria on Wednesday 4th with a stage that travels inland from Arnuero to Santander.
Santander's bull ring converts into a concert venue from 11th - 15th with a full programme of national music stars.
Cantabria’s patron saint – La Bien Aparecida – is marked on 15th September - a Sunday. The feast day is celebrated widely across the region and is preceded by a week long fiesta in Ampuero which includes bull running through the streets and a spectacular torch light procession.
In 1556, the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, renounced his titles – handing the Kingdom of Spain to his son, Philip II – and set out on a journey to his final retirement home at Yuste, near Cáceres. He arrived in Spain at Laredo – at that time the country’s principal port – and commenced his long journey southwards. These events are celebrated at Laredo from 27 to 29 September with the entire town decked out in Renaissance finery.
The entire town of Potes seems to spill onto the streets over weekend of 14 -15 as the mountain area known as Liébena celebrates the Fiestas de la Cruz with the cross above the town serving as a focal point for the weekend’s festivities.
The southernmost part of Cantabria, Campoo, marks its culture with the Día de Campoo in Reinosa on Sunday 29th. Among the key events is a procession of floats decorated in typical styles of the area which takes place the preceding Saturday (24th).
August
The month of August is essentially one long fiesta in Cantabria. Here are just some of the highlights.
Torrelavega celebrates its main summer festival La Virgen Grande from 11th to 20th with live music events and street markets in and around the town. Leading up to this event, you can enjoy four days (9-12) of live music at La Lechera, including a trip down memory lane with Boney M.
The Festival of Nations returns to the Sardinero area in Santander with a full programme of concerts and events as well as opportunities to sample food and drink from around the world. The Festival features many Spanish speaking nations and runs from 10th August to 8th September.
If witchcraft and all things spooky are your thing, then Barriopalacio, Anievas is the place to head for over the weekend 10-11th. This village has long been associated with the world of magic and mystery and houses its own small museum. This weekend there are a variety of events taking place in and around the village.
Sunday 11th August sees a major celebration of Cantabrian traditional life and culture in Cabezón de la Sal. The all day event includes folk dancing, traditional music and a parade of Tudanca cattle.
The feast of Virgen del Campo on 13th August is celebrated in many rural areas across the region and you can expect shops, civic offices and banks to be closed for local 'festivos'.
15th August is a national Bank Holiday in honour of The Assumption and there are religious processions and other events across the region.
The following day -16th – is the lesser known feast of San Roque which is celebrated widely (and often noisily) in different villages and barrios throughout Cantabria.
Fans of the Sitcom, Friends, can enjoy a Spanish version of the hit musical parody at the Concha Espina Thetare in the centre of Torrelavega on Saturday 17th.
That same day (17th) sees the start of Spain's premier cycling event, La Vuelta a España which passes through Cantabria on 4th September.
It is the turn of bikers (and especially, Los Harleys) from across Spain to gather in Cabezón de la Sal for a three day event of music and fun from 22nd - 24th August.
One of Cantabria’s principal events take place over the weekend starting 23rd August: with the first instalment of the re-enactment of the final battles in the Roman conquest of Cantabria. Sites for Las Guerras Cántabras are located in and around Corrales de la Buelna, with the second part taking place the following weekend. Find out more here Guerras cantabras
At Laredo you can witness a truly spectacular procession and magnificent floral displays as the town celebrates its Batalla de las Flores on Friday 30th August; part of the town's Semana Grande.
Batalla de las flores, Laredo
You can don your best white outfit and head to Comillas to see out the month. The town
celebrates its Dia del Indiano from 31st August to 1st September with street food, live
music and theatre and other events, all with a Cuban flavour.
July
With summer in full flow, it sometimes seems that the start of nearly every day is heralded by the ringing of bells or the boom of rockets as fiesta after fiesta is announced. It is worth looking out for local posters which will often have useful information. Here are some of the principal events to look out for.
The festivities in Castro Urdiales reach their completion with a celebration of the Coso Blanco on 4th July.
While it may not be as famous as the bull running at Pamplona, you will find 'San Fermines' celebrations in the Tetuán district of Santander, from 6th to 14th July.
The feast of La Virgen del Carmen is celebrated widely across Cantabria on 16th July. There is a major procession in Santander as well as a maritime procession organised by the ferry company, Los Reginas. There are also major events in the Barrio Pesquero of the capital, as well as in Suances, Camargo and San Vicente de la Barquera.
The following day, 17th July, you can travel back to a time when Santander and the Cantabrian coast was a fashionable venue for the comfortably off holidaymaker. Santanderinos will be decked out in their best early twentieth century outfits to mark the Baños de Ola in the capital and elsewhere.
Santander’s main summer event – Semana Grande – takes place from the 18th to the 27th of July. Throughout the week you can enjoy live music, street food, local cuisine from the many ‘casetas’ and join the crowds as they mill around the streets and open spaces of the capital. The polo field on the Magdalena Peninsula is converted into a concert venue where you can see top local, national and international performers.
The Feast Day of Spain's national patron saint, Santiago, falls on Friday 25th and is a regional Bank Holiday with celebrations taking place in towns and villages across Cantabria. The same weekend sees the Cantabria Infinta Folk Festival with concerts in San Vicente de la Barquera (26/27) and Puente San Miguel (28th).
Cantabria honours its institutions on 28th with civic and religious ceremonies. The importance of the day is recognised with a Bank Holiday.
The 28th of July sees the start of the Santander Jazz Festival with concerts at the Escenario and different venues across the city.
One of the treats of the summer months is the opportunity to enjoy outdoor cinema in the amphitheatre adjoining the Centro Botín on Santander's waterfront (weather permitting). A full programme of screenings can be found on the centre's website Centro Botín.
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