Oviedo is the capital of outside parties and festivities as there is a wide variety of local live music and spectacle groups who are always performing within Asturias. All the big festivities are usually held between May and September so with all the three programs offered you will be able to enjoy some of the funniest. These kinds of festivities usually include daytime activities such as local music concerts, espichas, which are typical Asturian encounters where traditional food is served as well as distinct types of sidra, and traditional dancing spectacles.
SAN MATEO
San Mateo is the best-known Oviedo’s festivity par excellence. It is held between September 14th and September 21st and there is a whole week of famous national singers’ concerts and outside music. It starts with El Pregón and El Chupinazo which are usually done by some famous local celebrities who begin the festivity with a speech and posterior rocket launch. This is one of my favorite outdoor parties as some small bars are placed all along the Cathedral’s square so there it is busy and lively throughout all week. They are even open all night!
On September 21st , the biggest and last day, there is a tradition where everyone has a bollo preñado (a bread roll filled with chorizo) while spending some time with family among Oviedo’s parks. San Mateo is my favorite party without any doubt so if you are considering going during Fall semester, you will not regret it!
MARTES DE CAMPO
Martes de Campo, (“field Tuesday”) is another famous festivity in Oviedo where everyone goes to a big park found in La Florida neighborhood to enjoy some bollo preñado and local food while doing a picnic with family or friends (hint: sidra never misses these occasions!). Among college students and teenagers there is a tradition where we usually wear a white t-shirt and bring some markers with us to get them colored and signed by others. This is such a beautiful tradition because you get to save all your T-shirts for the memories.
AMAGÜESTOS
Each fall amagüestos are held between late October and mid-November which are celebrations around chestnuts where these are roasted and served in paper cones and accompanied with some sweet sidra. There is also popular music and dances and traditional games for children. This celebration is usually held within schools, parks, or squares. Even though it is more special within the celebration, you will also be able to try roasted chestnuts throughout mid-fall and mid-winter all over El Parque San Francisco.
