Martes de Campo (La Balesquida)
One of the most beloved festivals by the people of Oviedo. It is celebrated on the Tuesday following Pentecost Monday and features the typical "bollu preñau" (stuffed bread) and cider. Families and friends gather in Campo San Francisco and other city parks to spend the day outdoors. The festival has medieval roots and is linked to the CofradÃa de La Balesquida.
San Mateo Festival
The city's main festival takes place in the second half of September. For more than a week, Oviedo fills with free concerts, theater, children's activities, markets, fireworks, and lots of atmosphere in the streets. Food and cider stalls are the stars of this popular feast.
El Desarme
On October 19, this gastronomic festival commemorates a Carlist victory. On this day, it's traditional to eat a specific menu: chickpeas with cod and spinach, tripe, and rice pudding. Restaurants and cider houses offer the "desarme menu," and the people of Oviedo enjoy it en masse.
Princess of Asturias Awards Ceremony
Every October, Oviedo becomes the focus of international attention with the presentation of these prestigious awards. The ceremony takes place at the Teatro Campoamor and brings together prominent figures from science, culture, sports, and cooperation. Exhibitions, conferences, and meetings with award winners are organized.
Holy Week
Oviedo experiences a sober and solemn Holy Week, with processions that run through the historic center. The CofradÃa del Silencio and other brotherhoods keep this tradition alive, attracting both faithful and visitors for its beauty and respect.
Christmas Market and Three Kings Parade
During December, the center of Oviedo is adorned with lights, Christmas stalls, ice rinks, and nativity scenes. On January 5, one of the most anticipated Three Kings parades in northern Spain takes place, with thousands of people enjoying the spectacle.
Other notable cultural events
- Oviedo Dance Festival – National and international companies fill the stages every autumn.
- Oviedo Opera Cycle – One of the oldest in Spain, with performances at the Teatro Campoamor.
- White Night – In spring, museums and cultural spaces stay open until midnight with special activities.
- Oviedo Jazz Festival – Concerts by national and international artists in various venues.