Every 25th of July, the sky over Santiago de Compostela is lit up by the Apostle’s fireworks, the grand finale of the Fiestas de Santiago and an unforgettable date for those who complete the Camino in the coming weeks. The city then experiences its most magical night, coinciding with the celebration of Galicia Day.
A festival full of Galician culture
Festigal, a festival held at the Campus Sur, near the Alameda Park, returns this year with a programme that embraces the fusion of art, music, and critical thinking. The event features a Book Fair, a craft market, the Galería das Letras e das Ideas as a space for debates and presentations, Festigal Miúdo for children, and a cycle of concerts that make this area one of the main cultural hubs of the city between the 24th and 25th of July.
Under the motto “Poder Popular” (Popular Power), the festival is a celebration of Galicia and its people, highlighting the Galician language and serving as an intergenerational meeting point. The concerts on the night of the 24th will begin at 21:45 h, featuring performances by Fuego Lolita, Nadie González, Mercedes Peón, and Grande Amore.
At 11:30 p.m., a fireworks display will light up the sky over Santiago from the Ciudad de la Cultura, Carlo Magno Park, and Alameda Park. The celebrations on the 25th will continue with music from 5:30 p.m., featuring Kuartetas, Os Carunchos, Orquestra Bravú Xangai and Maruxa and Coralia Dilleis.
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From July 24 to 26, visitors will be able to enjoy the traditional light projection show in Obradoiro Square. A series of narrative sequences will unfold during the eagerly awaited video mapping projected onto the Pazo de Raxoi, with each show lasting 9 minutes. The first screening will begin at midnight on July 24, followed by further opportunities to experience it on July 25 and 26 from 11 p.m.
The musical performances in Plaza de la Quintana will begin with the Real Filharmonía at 8 p.m. on July 22, followed by Julian Marley. The voices of Mexican singer Lila Downs and Galician artist Belém Tajes will also be part of the programme (Friday, July 24). Bewis de la Rosa and Eris Mackenzie (Wednesday, July 29), and Shego (Thursday, July 30) will be among the other invited artists. The festivities will come to a close with a concert by The Rapants (Friday, July 31).
At Alameda, performances will include Orquesta Finisterre (Thursday, July 23), Orquesta Compostela (Friday, July 24), Tania Veiras and Los Cumbias Pop (Saturday, July 25), Costa Dorada (Thursday, July 30), and Suavecito (Friday, July 31).
Traditional culture will take centre stage with the Fiesta Pícara (Thursday, July 23), Folklore Day (Saturday, July 25), and Galician Costume Day (Sunday, July 26).
The Compostela Cinema series will bring together more than twenty films from July 27 to 30 at Plaza de Lavacolla, Plaza da Veciñanza na Gracia, the outdoor area of the Centro Sociocultural de Verdía, and Eugenio Granell Park.
The fairground attractions will be located in Alameda and will be accessible from July 18. The fireworks will return on July 31 to bring the celebrations to a spectacular close.
A unique opportunity to see the Botafumeiro in full swing
The religious dimension of these dates also plays a prominent role through the Solemn Mass. The Cathedral will host the First Vespers of the Apostle Saint James on Friday the 24th at 19:30 h, presided over by the Archbishop, as well as the Solemnity of the Apostle Saint James on Saturday the 25th at 10:30 h. During this latter ceremony, the Botafumeiro will be set in motion, one of the Cathedral’s most iconic symbols.
This impressive incense burner, weighing 53 kg and measuring 1.5 meters in height, is swung by eight tiraboleiros who propel it at high speed across the central nave. Its use is reserved for special occasions such as the Epiphany (6th January), Easter Sunday, or the Ascension. During the summer, it can also be seen on 15th August, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
