The last two weeks in July, the city of Santiago de Compostela celebrates its biggest festival of the year: St James Festival or the Apostle Festival (Festas do Apóstolo). St James is the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela but also Galicia; which means St James Day is also Galicia Day and a holiday in the region.
Many pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago aim to reach Santiago de Compostela for 25th July, St James Day. When St James Day falls on a Sunday, it will be considered a ‘holy’ or ‘xacobeo’ year. If you are planning your Camino de Santiago in July and arriving in the city after 15th July, you should definitely stay in Santiago for a few days to enjoy this unique festival. As the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela attracts not only pilgrims but also many Galicians on those dates.
St James Festival celebrations in Santiago combine both religious and traditional elements with contemporary music, theatre, entertainment, and a wide range of cultural events filling the city’s old town and its main squares.
From free concerts by important artists to traditional music and dance, visiting Santiago de Compostela in July will reveal a very unique and special side of the city; as well as a close insight into Galician culture.
One of the most iconic events is the firework display on St James’ Day Eve. On 24th July at midnight, locals and visitors gather at the Praza do Obradoiro to enjoy the traditional fireworks and display projected on the facade of Santiago Cathedral.
On July 25th, St James Day, Santiago Cathedral hosts its High Mass, usually attended by the king or a member of the Spanish Royal family, and one of the special dates when you can see the ‘botafumeiro‘ in use. On St James Day each year, many Galicians also travel to Santiago to celebrate the Galician language and culture.
The St James festival in Santiago de Compostela is officially closed with fireworks on 31st July.
You can find the full schedule of events for this year’s St James Festival, Festas do Apostolo, on the Santiago Turismo website, always packed with useful information: www.santiagoturismo.com
For more information about the Camino de Santiago, the best time to travel, or to book your Camino walk, contact our travel specialists
