What's on in Cantabria

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.

17th - 23rd August

For many holidaymakers the weekend 15/16 August marks the end of the summer season and the roads are often busy over the weekend. However, there is no let-up in the fun and excitement as Cantabria continues to enjoy its summer.

The fiesta mayor in Torrelavega continues into its second week while celebrations of La Virgen and San Roque spill over into the week in places such as Puente del Valle, Bejes, Novales and Cicero.

On a similar theme, Laredo, a popular resort to the east of Santander, begins its full week of fiesta, on Monday 17^th having started with its renowned marmita (fish stew) the day before. Festivities culminate next weekend with one of Cantabria’s iconic events, la batalla de flores, a procession of extravagantly decorated floats.

Meanwhile, the breathtaking setting of Gaudi’s Capricho in Comillas is the place to be for a series of night time concerts this week.

Music of a different style can be enjoyed when the Harley bikers descend on Cabezon de la Sal for a three day festival from 20-22 August.

10th - 16th August

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 the first week in September.

10^th August is also the feast of San Lorenzo  - renowned for having been martyred by toasting. The day is marked in different towns and villages including Laredo and Parbayón.

There is a craft market in the picturesque setting of the Plaza Porticadad in Santander from 10^th – 18^th August.

The Children’s Day from Cabezón de la Sal’s Semana Grande takes place on Tuesday 11^th, having been postponed last week because of rain. That same evening, Mariachi players make an appearance in the centre of Cabezón.

On Wednesday 12^th, you have the opportunity to witness that rarest of events, a total eclipse of the sun. The exact times when the phenomena occurs varies according to your location but early evening is expected to see large gatherings in Santander, La Revilla, La Gerra and west facing coastal areas such as Liencres, Virgen del Mar and Mogro. Be sure to arrive early, pray for clear skies and wear appropriate eye protection.

If you keep your eyes skywards a few hours later, you may see the Perseids meteor shower in the south east corner of the night sky. This annual event, also known as the 'Tears of St Lawrence' (Lágrimas de San Lorenzo), is produced when Earth passes through the dust particles from the Swift-Tuttle comet and, as the rock and dust enter our atmosphere, they glow, giving a spectacular light show.

La Virgen del Campo (Wednesday 13^th) is celebrated widely in rural areas across Cantabria and is often marked with a local festivo.

13^th August also sees the start of the festivities for La Patrona in Torrelavega. The whole town seems to come to a standstill for a Napoleonic street market, traditional arts, crafts, music and dance, and a full programme of music events including tributes to Michael Jackson and Coldplay. The fiesta continues until 23^rd August.

Passengers on Brittany Ferries (other travel options are available) will be familiar with the music of Carlos Núñez – it is his tunes that you wake to up in the morning and bid you farewell at the end of your crossing. He will be bringing his distinctive brand of Celtic music, drawing on Irish, Cornish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton and northern Spain influences to the wonderful setting of the chapel of the former seminary at Comillas on Friday 14^th August.

15^th August is a national Holiday in honour of The Assumption and there are religious processions and other events across the region. As the day falls on a Saturday, there will be no disruption to usual routines.

The following day -16^th – is the lesser known feast of San Roque which is celebrated widely (and often noisily) in different villages and barrios throughout Cantabria.

3rd - 9th August

Over recent years, the Día de Cantabria (also known as Día de la Montaña) that takes place in Cabezón de la Sal has grown from essentially a single day event into a week long Semana Grande. The celebrations enjoyed an official opening on Friday 31^st July and this coming week sees a variety of events including a Día de Mayores (6th), a children’s day (Wednesday 5^th) and live music most evenings.

The day itself – on Sunday 9^th August - includes folk dancing, traditional music, street bands, a craft fair and parade of decorated wagons. The day is rounded off with an extravagant firework display. 

From 3rd - 5th August, the celebrations continue around La Virgen de las Nieves, in the Campoo de Yuso area, bordering Lake Ebro. Wednesday 5th sees a full programme of events in the grounds of the ermita finishing with music in nearby Monegro. A walk to this charming chapel and shrine is described on our parallel blog, Around Lake Ebro.  

If witchcraft and all things spooky are your thing, then Barriopalacio, Anievas is the place to head for over the weekend 9^th and 10^th. This village has long been associated with the world of magic and mystery and houses its own small witchcraft museum. This weekend there are a variety of events taking place in and around the village.  

This week also sees the prelude to Torrelavega’s main summer festivities – La Virgen Grande – with the principal events and live music concerts taking place next week.

   

27th July - 2nd August

One of Cantabria's foremost tourist attractions is the village of Liérganes. Here you can walk through cobbled streets, admiring the various palacios; find out about the legend of the Hombre-pez (fish man); cross a Roman Bridge (even though it actually dates from the sixteenth century); eat in one of its many renowned restaurants; visit Dougall’s independent brewery on the edge of town and sample their craft beers; gaze up at the twin peaks that overlook the village (known locally as Las Tetas); follow a marked tourist route around the town; and much more. The village enjoys its main summer festival, San Pantaleón and San Pedruco, in the last week of July, with a full programme available from the Town Hall.

Cantabria honours its institutions on 28th with civic and religious ceremonies. The importance of the day is recognised with a Bank Holiday, so expect banks, civic offices and most shops and supermarkets to be closed.

The month of August is essentially one long fiesta in Cantabria. Here are just some of the highlights.

The seaside resort, Noja, kicks off the month on Saturday 1^st with its Summer Carnival; so if you missed the chance to put on fancy dress earlier in the year, here is your opportunity.

With the concerts for Magdalena en Vivo ending last weekend, the venue is given over to a new two day event, ‘Santander Music’ with a stellar cast of pop, dance and indie artists. The concerts will take place over Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August.

20th - 26th July

Santander’s Semana Grande is in full flow this week and among the featured artist, you can see popular Spanish acts, El Drogas and La Sonrisa de Julia in the splendid setting of the Plaza Porticada. You might want to get your place early on Sunday 26^th when, in the same venue, Cantabria’s own David Bustamente will be performing.

                                                                    

Meanwhile on Sautrday 25^th, at the wonderful coastal venue of La Magdalena peninsula, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – otherise known as The Pet Shop Boys – will be presenting their Dreamworld, Greatest Hits show.

21^st and 22^nd see celebrations for the feast of La Magdalena in Ruente, just south of Cabezón de la Sal. Ruente is renowned locally for its gastronomy – there are a number of very good quality restaurants – as well for its attractive riverside location which includes a river source – la Fuentona – and access to a huge wooded area known as Monte Áa where you will find a variety of walking trails.

Classical musical lovers can enjoy an evening of operatic favourites on Friday 24^th in the spectacular setting of the chapel of the former seminary at Comillas. The programme includes works by Verdi, Puccini, Sorozábal and other composers.

Saturday 25^th  is the feast day of Spain’s national patron saint, Santiago, and there are events across the region including at Cabezón de la Sal where you can visit the international fayre, Feria de las Naciones, in the Parque de la Losa.  

Another important feast day falls on Sunday 26^th: Santa Ana, and is celebrated in many towns and villages including Tanos, Cóbreces and La Hermida.

13th - 19th July

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Mazcuerras, near Cabezón de la Sal, do take the opportunity to visit Aselart which runs in the village throughout the summer months. 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.

                                                                      
  

                                                                    Aselart installations 2026

An important event, La Virgen del Carmen, takes place on Thursday 16^th. This feast is celebrated widely across Cantabria especially in the port districts in and around San Vicente de la Barquera, Noja, Laredo, Suances and, notably, in the fishing quarter (barrio pesquero) of Santander.

The same evening sees the opening concert of the Santander Jazz Festival in the Palacio de Festivales featuring the Fred Hersch Trio. The rest of the festival continues from 29^th July onwards at the Escenario Santander.

Friday 17^th sees the beginning of Santander’s Semana Grande with the traditional initial chupinazo in the Town Hall square in the evening. There is a full programme of events including processions, fireworks, street music and free concerts featuring popular favourites Sidecars, David Bustamente and Dani Martín as well as international stars The Pet Shop Boys. Further details are available via the Town Hall website.

Cantabrian and international folklore is showcased in the Cantabria Infinita Folk Festival starting 19^th July with events in San Vicente de la Barquera and Puente San Miguel.