7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia, Spain.
Baiona is a beautiful coastal town located in Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Situated down the southern coastal region of the Rias Baixas. It has a picturesque bay facing the Atlantic Ocean, with a port full of colorful small fishing boats and luxury yachts. A great destination to visit with family and friends all year round because of its mild climate and its numerous blue flag beaches, with some of the most popular beaches in Galicia, Spain.
There are many local festivals in Baiona and also interesting traditional fairs, but the most famous is for the arrival on the 1st of March 1493 of the ship Carabela La Pinta with news of the discovery of America which is why Baiona celebrates their most important festival Festa Arribada (Arribada festival) every year the first weekend of March honoring this important event in the city`s history. From Baiona you can also pick up and follow the Portuguese Coastal Way path of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) since is one of the stops of this famous worldwide religious-spiritual pilgrimage route. On the streets of the old quarter, you will find numerous restaurants and bars to taste the amazing Galician Gastronomy. From seafood platters offering the freshest fruits of the sea, to just some relaxed tapas and wines at the tapas bar.
The best sunsets can be seen from the fortress walls, so why not treat yourself to staying a few nights at the spectacular Parador de Baiona within these historic walls? A great base to explore Baiona and the nearby wine country of O Rosal, a sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas.
Below we have a list of the 7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia recommended by our E&W Destination Experts. When you plan your next holiday to Baiona why not come to one of these popular festivals:
- Festa da Arribada da Carabela Pinta en Baiona (Festival of the Arrival of La Pinta Caravel in Baiona)
- Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (Festival of the Virgin of Carmen)
- Curros de Monte a Groba (Horse Corrals of Gorba Mountian)
- Fiestas de Virgen de la Anunciada de Baiona (Festivities of the Virgin Announced of Baiona)
- Fiestas de Semana Santa de Baiona (Easter Holy Week festivities in Baiona)
- Romeria de la Virgen de la Roca (Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Rock)
- Romeria de San Cosme y San Damián con la Fiesta de la Miel y las Nueces (Pilgrimage of San Cosme and San Damian with the Honey and Nut Festival)
Here are the 7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia, Spain:
1. Festa da Arribada da Carabela Pinta en Baiona (Festival of the Arrival of La Pinta Caravel in Baiona)
They celebrate every year the first weekend of March, La Arribada (The Arrival), which is a festival of International Tourist Interest and is one of the most important festivals in Spain. It brings the whole village of Baiona back over 500 years to medieval times!
It was Christopher Columbus that set sail from Puerto de Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain with 3 Caravel ships: La Pinta, La Niña, and the Santa Maria in August 1492. When they came back to bring the word of the discovery of the Americas, it was La Pinta that arrived the fastest and came into the bay of Baiona arriving at Praia Ribeira on March 1st, 1493. at the festival, you will see the re-enactment of the arrival and the replica of La Pinta in the harbor. The streets of the old quarter will have numerous stalls with the local gastronomy of Galicia and artisan goods.
Come with us virtually on our live-streaming tours, we have 2 episodes...
- Discovery of the Americas to Europe: La Arribada Festival in Baiona, Spain
- Come abroad La Pinta, Discoverer of America: La Arribada Festival in Spain
2. Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (Festival of the Virgin of Carmen)
On the 16th of July every year, they celebrate this festival to honour the Virgen del Carmen, adopted by fishermen and sailors as their patron saint, and ask for her protection against the most habitual dangers of the sea, such as storms, etc... During the festival you will see a colourful procession of boats parading around the bay of Baiona, a tribute to those brave fishermen who have died at sea. The celebration also includes; a religious ceremony, music, dancing, etc... more info here on the Turismo de Baiona website.
3. Curros de Monte a Groba (Horse Corrals of Gorba Mountian)
For over 4,000 years indigenous wild horses have roamed the A Groba mountain range, which joins the town councils of Baiona and Oia. It is one of the few places in the world where curros or rapa das bestas (the corral of the wild horses) are still celebrated. Thousands of wild horses run freely in A Groba Mountain, but are herded down the mountain in a corral every year and are branded, as well, they get a haircut, before being let free to run up the mountain again. Although they live freely, the horses belong to neighboring mountain communities.
The big day of this festival is on Sunday, after the corraling of the wild horses, everyone enjoys some of the local gastronomy at the different stalls offering delicious homemade bread, octopus, and empanada pie, all accompanied by the Galician wines! Here you can read more about this festival.
4. Fiestas de Virgen de la Anunciada de Baiona (Festivities of the Virgin Announced of Baiona)
On the first weekend of August, they have the festivities of The Blessed Virgin of the Annunciation, the patron Saint of Baiona. It is one of the most important celebrations of the town with religious services in the previous collegiate church of Santa Maria and a procession along the historical streets of the town accompanied by a brass band.
The fishermen perform a 15th-century Sword Dance in front of the image of the Virgin. There is also concerts, fireworks display, and activities for children like the traditional "cucaña" (a wooden pole that has to be climbed in order to get the prize, usually a flag attached on the top). The patroness celebrations last all weekend.
5. Fiestas de Semana Santa de Baiona (Easter Holy Week festivities in Baiona)
The Easter Holy Week in Baiona is one of the most important in Galicia, Spain. From 1574, the year when the Santa Casa de Paz y Misericordia (Holy House of Peace and Mercy) Brotherhood was created, this Brotherhood has always organized the Holy Week religious events in Baiona.
There are events and processions during the holy week in Baiona...
- Palm Sunday: The Palm procession takes place, departing from the Dominican Sisters Convent and ending up at the ex-Collegiate Church of Santa Maria.
- The Pasos Procession: Held on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). The most remarkable feature: Figures who play the Biblical roles, angels, and Roman soldiers.
- Church visiting: The Churches in Baiona are open all day from Mundy Thursday to the evening of Good Friday.
- Holy Burial: Known in Baiona as "Just-Man Procession". It happens every evening of Good Friday. The hooded brothers walk along the Prostrate Christ paso during the procession.
- The Dolorous Madonna Procession: Known as the "Just-woman Procession". In recent years over 2,000 women have gathered together for the event.
6. Romeria de la Virgen de la Roca (Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Rock)
A popular pilgrimage is held on the last Sunday of August every year in honor of the Virgin of the Rock in Baiona, a beautiful monument located at the top of the esplanade of Sanson Hill. It is a 15-metre-high monument constructed from granite, by the architect from O Porriño Antonio Palacios; except for the head and the hands, which are made from white marble, the work of Ángel García, and the porcelain crown.
During the celebration, you will see a Galician folk dancing contest, dancing and singing by Galician folk groups, and a dancing performance by fishermen, the ancient Sword Dance.
7. Romeria de San Cosme y San Damián con la Fiesta de la Miel y las Nueces (Pilgrimage of San Cosme and San Damian with the Honey and Nut Festival)
On September 26th, the religious services honouring the two saints: St. Cosme and St. Damian, who were brothers and doctors, take place in the chapel of Santa Liberata where the statues of both are kept. In the same square of Santa Liberata, in front of the chapel, there is also an old popular fair called Fiesta de la Miel y las Nueces (Honey and Nuts Festival) that is held at the same time. Come and taste the nuts with honey, always such a great combination!
Would you like to visit Baiona and see a local Festival?
We invite you to visit the Concello de Baiona and enjoy the 7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia, Spain, plus you can see other festivals on the Turismo de Baiona website where you will learn in detail the history, culture, gastronomy, and traditions of this town. A beautiful place where you will feel at home thanks to the tranquility that the coast, the bay, and its rich heritage.
If you need help arranging your next vacation, or have some questions about any activities or festivals in Baiona, you can get in touch with us here. Join our Facebook community of E&W Food Wanderers to meet like-minded Food, Wine, and Walking Lovers!
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