August is a busy month in the Spanish fiesta calendar, not least because it is the busiest of the summer months, and it does have one national holiday (Red Day) right in the centre, and although it is worth checking with the local tourist information office for the events where you are, here are some things to do in August in Spain picked from the national events calendar.
San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma
When: From August 2 to 15
Where: Madrid
Despite the heat, the month of August starts strong in the capital, with a fortnight in which three very traditional festivals from different but close districts are linked: San Cayetano (from August 2 to 7 in Rastro/Embajadores), San Lorenzo (from August 9 to to 12 in Lavapiés) and La Paloma (from 11 to 15 in La Latina).
These festivities are the best consolation for those who stay in Madrid during the month of August. They include a wide variety of cultural and children’s activities, tournaments and contests, chotis and dance performances, and free concerts of various styles, among which this year artists such as La Pegatina, Lucrecia and Zenet stand out.
Descenso Internacional del Sella
When: August 5th
Where: Arriondas-Ribadesella (Asturias)
Also known as the “fiesta de Les Piragües”, it takes place on the first Saturday of August, and is more of a sporting event involving the Spanish Canoeing Federation. The 20 km route through the Sella River, between Arriondas and Ribadesella, is done by canoe or kayak, with competitions in different categories. In addition, the day includes folkloric groups, Asturian gastronomy and the song of Asturias, dear homeland. It has been declared of International Tourist Interest.
Asturias Day in Gijón
When: August 6th
Where: Gijón (Asturias)
To finish off a purely Asturian weekend, the next day we have this celebration, which takes place on the first Sunday of August. It is a festival of National Tourist Interest, whose most important element is the parade of floats with music bands. The tradition is that the mayor of Gijón receives all the other mayors of Asturias on this day, and the culture of this land is celebrated in style. It is important not to confuse this festival with the regional holiday of Asturias Day, which takes place later, on September 8.
Jumilla Wine Festival
When: From August 11 to 20
Where: Jumilla (Murcia)
The largest celebration of Jumilla wine, one of the denominations of origin par excellence in the country. The festival takes place mainly in the Plaza de la Constitución and in the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola, where booths and bars are displayed and tastings, and contests are held. Also noteworthy is the Grape Tread ritual and the Wine Route event, which takes us to some of the most important wineries where Jumilla wine is made.
Feria de Málaga
When: From August 12 to 19
Where: Malaga
During the week of the Fair, the activities are divided into two locations: during the day, the city centre hosts a multitude of cultural activities, while at night, the Real del Cortijo de Torres serves to dance and celebrate until all hours. Up to a million people visit Malaga during this week to attend the Fair, whose most critical moments each year are the procession of the pilgrimage, the lighting of the façade of the Real and the fireworks, and the historical parade, which commemorates the taking of Malaga by the Catholic Monarchs.
Semana Grande de San Sebastián
When: From August 12 to 19
Where: San Sebastián
It is the most important week of festivities in Donosti, and stands out for its cultural, gastronomic, sports and musical initiatives, as well as its popular fireworks contest. This year, the free concerts include such popular artists as Antonio Carmona and El Drogas.
Fiesta del Pulpo (octopus)
When: August 13th
Where: Carballino (Orense)
If you like to eat octopus, this is for you. Thousands of kilos of octopus are consumed on this day, which is traditionally held on the second Sunday of August. In addition to tasting huge quantities of octopus á feira, there is also an abundance of other Galician gastronomy products, as well as cultural activities. The festival is considered so important that it has been declared of International Tourist Interest.
Asunción de la Virgen
When: August 15th
Where: All over Spain
It should be remembered that, regardless of where you are in the country, you will be able to take advantage of this national holiday to use it as you see fit. On August 15, the Assumption of the Virgin is celebrated, a religious festival that commemorates the entry of the Virgin Mary into heaven, according to Catholic tradition. It is a tradition that, on this day, churches hold masses and processions, and believers make prayers and offerings to the Virgin. The day is a national holiday in Spain.
Semana Grande de Bilbao
When: From August 19 to 27
Where: Bilbao
Known in Basque as “Bilboko Aste Nagusia”, this is the main festival in Bilbao, which consists of a week of entertainment, folklore, activities that promote Basque culture, and live music. In relation to the latter, this year’s program will have more than 100 free concerts, including artists such as Zetak, Lori Meyers, Lola Índigo, Álex Ubago and Vanesa Martín, among many others. La Semana Grande comes to an end when its symbol, the character Marijaia, is burned in the Plaza del Teatro Arriaga.
La Tomatina
When: August 30th
Where: Buñol (Valencia)
August ends in style when it comes to popular festivals in the country, with one of the most iconic, peculiar and fun events. On the last Wednesday of the month, crowds of people throw tomatoes at each other in a friendly battle, until rivers of red run through the streets of the Valencian town of Buñol. In addition, the most energetic party the night before, which is known as ” la de la empalma”, to have a few drinks with those who will be their adversaries in the tomato war that starts at 10 in the morning.
The organisers distribute approximately 130 tons of tomatoes among the participants. As the story goes, this celebration has its origins in 1945, when some people fought spontaneously in the middle of a parade, using vegetables as weapons. The neighbours liked the experience so much that they have been replicating it ever since.
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