> Fiestas & traditions

Fiestas & Traditions of the Picos de Europa

Saint Feast Days, gastronomy, folklore, and artisanal traditions (signs of identity of a community and its cultural richness) are celebrated all over the Picos de Europa Park and its surroundings with commemorations and events where the well-known hospitality of people in the region encourages you to join in.

Fiesta of the Sheperd (Fiesta del Pastor)

Lakes of Covadonga (ASTURIAS)
This fiesta is called “romería cerca del cielo” (celebration near heaven). It is more than 70 years old and has been declared an event of Regional Tourist Interest. It takes place in the Lakes of Covadonga every 25th July. The previous night is the only one of the year when camping is allowed in Vega de Enol. The fiesta begins with a traditional mass in the “Capilla del Buen Pastor” (Chapel of the Good Shepherd) at 10:00 a.m. Next, local authorities and the shepherds’ board meet in an open council meeting to distribute pastures equally, the alderman and the little shepherdesses are chosen, and the senior shepherd and shepherdess of the Mountain of Covadonga are paid tribute to. Then, sporting and folk events start and make this shepherds’ reunion a very festive celebration. A foot race to “Porra de Enol”, horse races, and team rope pulling are accompanied by the performances of different bands of bagpipers. During the day, there are also demonstrations of dog handling, a handicraft exhibition, and tastings of the artisanal cheeses of the region.

Fiesta of the Virgin of Covadonga

Covadonga (ASTURIAS)
Among the religious celebrations, the fiesta of the Virgin of Covadonga stands out. As it is celebrated every 8th September (which is the day of the Principado de Asturias), the most important civil and religious authorities, as well as many religious followers, meet in Covadonga to join the procession that takes the image of the Virgin from the Basilica to the Cave.

At the same time, in a tradition over 35 years old, a group of divers from the Principado dive into Lake Enol to bring out a small Virgin that has been under water during that year. Once on the surface, the image of the Virgin is touched up with paint and, after the mass, taken back to the lake.

Picos de Europa cheese contest

Cangas de Onís (ASTURIAS)
This contest (which began in 1940) takes place in Cangas de Onís every 12th October, making it the oldest of the national cheese contests.

Although nowadays each variety of cheese has its own contest (Cabrales in Arenas, Beyos in Ponga and Amieva, and Gamonéu in Benia), it is this one in Cangas de Onís that is dedicated to all the different cheeses of the Picos de Europa.

In the 80s, the honey festival was included in this cheese contest.

Cabrales cheese contest

Arenas de Cabrales (ASTURIAS)
On the last Sunday in August, Arenas de Cabrales celebrates the contest of one of the best-known and most famous cheeses in the world: Cabrales cheese.

During the whole week, there are various cultural and gastronomic events linked to the cheese and its surroundings. There are tastings, visits to museums and caves, exhibitions, presentations, a traditional market, ethnographic tours, traditional bowling matches, and a folk festival.

Gamonéu cheese contest

Benia (ASTURIAS)
Gamonéu cheese is one of the most characteristic and valued ones made in the Picos de Europa region. On the third weekend in October, the Gamonéu cheese contest is celebrated in Benia (capital of the county of Onís) with a festival that lasts the whole weekend. There is also a contest-exhibition of the Asturian “Pita Pinta” chicken and the “Xalda” sheep, as well as a traditional bowling contest, music, and many other activities that give this small village an entertaining ambience.

Fiesta of the Grape Spirit (Fiesta del Orujo)

Potes (CANTABRIA)
On the second weekend in November, the small village of Potes (Liébana valley) celebrates the fiesta of the “orujo” (grape spirit) where you can taste this traditional liquor with an ancient elaboration process. The origin of the elaboration of this grape spirit from Liébana goes back to the harvest of the vineyards in the monasteries of the Middle Ages. It is one of the most deep-rooted traditions in Cantabria, and was declared of National Tourist Interest in 2012.

Corao livestock fair (Feria de Corao)

Cangas de Onís (ASTURIAS)
This livestock fair is celebrated every 26th May. It is considered a fair because of the volume of cattle involved and the amount of people that visit it. There are usually about 3 000 head of beef for sale (the highlight of this event), as well as horses and other livestock (goats and sheep). Closed deals between farmers and the catering industry can reach up to two million euros.

Potes fair (Feria de Potes)

Potes (CANTABRIA)
On the 2nd November (All Saints Day), the village of Potes celebrates the traditional “Great Livestock Fair of the Year” where a large number of dealers and visitors meet. There is also a gastronomic festival where you can purchase traditional products from these valleys such as cheeses (Ahumado de Áliva, Valdebaró, goat cheese, etc.), chickpeas, cured meats made from pork, wild boar, or venison, dried fruits, nuts, honey, etc.

Posada de Valdeón fair

Valdeón(LEÓN)
The traditional October Fair of Posada de Valdeón (known as the Fair of the Picos) is celebrated on the first Saturday in October. It is a livestock fair with the exhibition and sale of traditional products and local handicrafts.

The “Amagüestu” (Fiesta of the chestnut)

ASTURIAS
This fiesta takes place between October and November, and coincides with the harvest of the chestnuts. It is celebrated in a traditional way in many villages, roasting chestnuts on the fire while drinking sweet cider that has been made by pressing apples in the cider-press house, but without a fermentation process, obtaining a sweet juice that can be drunk by both adults and children.