Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza

Zaragoza Turismo

Festivals

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JANUARY

29th January, San Valero

Saint Valero -ventolero y rosconero- is the city´s Patron saint. It is traditional to serve up a giant roscón, or round, cream-filled cake, in the Plaza del Pilar, for all those who wish to try a slice. The city council also opens its doors to the public amidst a festive atmosphere.

 

FEBRUARY

Carnivals

Carnival begins with the celebration of Jueves (Thursday) Lardero, which pays tribute to old style country food by handing out traditional cured sausage to all comers.
The different groups are the stars of the Carnival procession, which is held on the Saturday evening and where the youngest participants have a special place. This is a huge children`s celebration where young and old alike can enjoy its magic and fantasy.

 

MARCH

Cincomarzada (5 de marzo, Fiesta Local)

The 5th of March festival, the Cincomarzada, is one of the city´s most popular fiestas. Thousands of locals turn out to commemorate a historic date, the 5th of March, 1838 when the citizens of Zaragoza repelled an attempted Carlist invasion. Local community and social groups celebrate a day of revelry, combining remembrance and fun in an atmosphere of collective joy and civic spirit.

 

MARCH O APRIL

Holy Week

With 700 years of history, and recently declared of National Touristic Interest, Holy Week in Zaragoza offers 9 days of splendour, as the city lives between emotion and devotion. Holy Week

APRIL

23rd April. Saint George - Aragon Day.

Concerts, soirées and open-air performances set the tone for the celebration of the Day of Aragon, and the originally political nature of this date has been transformed into an eminently festive occasion. The public institutions in Aragon hold an open-day, providing an ideal opportunity for people to visit the Pignatelli building (the Government of Aragón), the Armijo Palace (Aragon Magistrate´s building) or the seat of the Aragon Congress in the Aljaferia Palace. Do you want to miss out?

 

JUNE

24th June-San Juan.

The 24th of June is the day of the summer solstice. On this, the longest day of the year, we celebrate the night of San Juan, with bonfires lit to represent the power of the sun, and to help to renew its energy.
Zaragoza is replete with bonfires and soirées. In the Oliver quarter, and in Delicias Park you will find hundreds of people enjoying this magical night together by the warmth of the bonfire.

 

OCTOBER

The Pilar Festival .

Of all the different festivals held in Zaragoza, the Pilar Festival is the centrepiece. It enjoys huge popular support, and offers numerous events and performances as well as a series of religious processions. The following are some of its outstanding features:

  • Pregon Festival. This is the most multitudinous event. On the evening of every  first Saturday in October the city´s streets throng with ten of thousands of Zaragoza locals and visitors enjoying the inaugural processions. Everything begins with a colourful parade which makes its way through the centre of the city from the Puerta Del Carmen to the Plaza del Pilar. Then all eyes are trained on the Town Hall´s main balcony from where the Pregon takes place.   
  • The offering of flowers and fruit;The Rosario de Cristal. Religious events are deeply-rooted in fabric of the people of Zaragoza, and form an indispensable part of the Pilar festival. On October the 12th, the day of the Pilar, the mass floral offering to the Virgin is one of the most significant events in the Spanish calendar. That same night the city celebrates the prayer of the Rosario de la Aurora. On the following day, the festivities begin with the Fruit offering. As night falls, the streetlamps are replaced by lanterns that illuminate the passing floats of the Rosario de Cristal.
  • Fireworks. Every night during the Pilar Festival, there are colourful firework displays in a number of different neighbourhoods throughout the city. The curtain is brought down on the  Festival with a magnificent  and unmissable display from Macanaz  Park, on the banks of the Ebro. Come and experience the closing minutes of the festival, filled with light, sound, excitement and emotion!
  • Humour in San Bruno Square During the Pilar Festival this square is the  setting for a wide variety of comic theatre featuring the best acts around. Every evening, this centric stage plays host to amusing performances of vaudeville, comedy, mime and clowns.
  • The Streets. The streets of Zaragoza are filled with dozens of groups. Take a stroll through the city and enjoy theatre, music, mime, clowns, magic and fantasy. Take a walk and see. The city is yours! 
  • Night time Shows. The centre of Zaragoza reverberates every night during the festival to the sound of major performances. In particular, the newly remodelled Independencia Avenue offers a fine variety of spectacular,  grand-scale theatre.
  • Dance. In Plaza San Pedro Nolasco you will find modern dance and dance theatre. During the 10 days of the festival, notable artists and companies offer a series of performances in which vanguard dance and music blend together.It´s the perfect time to feel the city´s expressivity.
  • Rock de Justicia. Every kind of musical style can be found in the Pilar festival, but one of the most important is pop-rock. Throughout the day, Plaza de la Justicia provides the stage for the best Indy groups, with a special place for those from Aragon. 
  • Folk and more. In the pretty Plaza de San Felipe both Aragonese groups and    others represent their respective popular cultures through music.
  • Independent Music Festival.  The FIZ or Zaragoza Independent Music Festival is a must for music lovers. On the opening day of the festival this event takes place simultaneously on two stages: the main DJ stage and a       chill- out bar, also with DJ´s to cater for different audiences. 
  • Estación Independencia. Paseo de la Independencia has been remodelled to the delight of the city´s inhabitants. This wide boulevard is the ideal setting for diverse range of events. Throughout the festival, Estacion Independencia plays host to renowned Aragonese artists who serve up their talents. Come and enjoy their performances.
  • General Trade Fair. The Pilar Festival is unthinkable without the Zaragoza General Trade Fair. It is one of the most important and enjoyable elements of the Festival and one which attracts whole families.
  • Handcrafts Fair. During the festival you can stroll around the numerous stands in Plaza de los Sitios that offer a selection of handcrafts and Aragonese alimentary products. It´s an excellent opportunity to taste, look and buy.
  • Sin Pasaporte / (No passport). The concerts held in the Zaragoza Civic Centre in Delicias manifest the multicultural make up of the city. They represent an ideal conceptual link to bring together social and cultural environments that appear to be so close in theory, and yet are often so far apart in reality.
  • Other activities. Daily performances in the Council Marquee in Plaza de los Sitios. Musical performances and soirées in squares in the Historic centre of the city. Multitudinous concerts in the Romareda Stadium. Important sporting events and musical performances in the Principe Felipe Pavilion. Classical music concerts. Major exhibitions in the Lonja. Gran Via boulevard. Aragonese folk concerts in the Plaza del Pilar. Sporting events such as the 45 minute Water Rally on the River Ebro, or the Criterium Cycling event in Independencia.

Boat trips and hot-air balloon rides.The revival and promotion of traditional elements, such as the Gigantes y Cabezudos parade, or the Tragachicos event in the Children´s Park. The presentation of municipal publications.

The active participation of the peñas (social clubs) is especially significant, as is the traditional Trade Fair Competition or the Pilar bullfighting Festival.

 

DECEMBER

Fiestas de Navidad

The Plaza del Pilar offers a spectacular 2000 square metre recreation of the Nativity scene. The meticulous staging and the realism of the figures makes this an obligatory visit. Further information: Zaragoza Cultural Society

New Year´s Eve

Every year end is celebrated with a huge party in the Plaza del Pilar, which is attended by ever increasing numbers of Zaragozan residents. As the 12 chimes ring out from the Casa Consistorial the traditional grapes are eaten.
A spectacular firework display brings in the New Year and is followed by music, humour and animation well into the early hours of the morning. Happy New Year!
Further information: Zaragoza Cultural Society

The Magic Parade

Melchior, Gaspart and Balthazar arrive in Zaragoza, escorted by their cortege. Colourful carriages, magicians, jugglers and dancers from all around the world participate in this fantasy. Hurry and see them passing by!