The Galician festivals that are not verbenas

Galicia is a land of festivals all year round, not just summer verbenas. There is a whole calendar of celebrations with centuries of history that move entire villages: romerías, entroido, magosto...

If you already know the summer verbenas, this article completes the map with the festivals that fill the rest of the Galician calendar.

Anyone who thinks Galicia only parties in summer has never been through an entroido or a magosto here.

The Galician romería

The romería mixes the religious and the festive: a procession to a chapel or sanctuary that ends in a countryside meal, music and dancing. They are held mainly in spring and summer, and are among the most cherished dates of every parish.

The entroido: the Galician carnival

The entroido is the carnival of Galicia, and in some areas it is as famous as it is intense. Traditional masks, troupes and whole days of celebration in the street. It falls in February and is one of the most alive traditions in the region.

The magosto: the chestnut festival

The magosto comes in November, when chestnuts are roasted around the fire to celebrate the end of the harvest. It is a quieter, more family-oriented festival, but just as deep-rooted, with music and a warm atmosphere by the fireside.

What entertainment each festival needs

Each tradition calls for a different kind of entertainment. The music of the festival and, when there are live acts, a mobile stage, make the difference. This table sums it up:

How to organise your own traditional festival

Whatever the festival, the foundations are alike:

• Council permits and insurance
• Space and setup (stage, marquee if needed)
• Sound and lighting
• Music and entertainment
• Food and drink

Galician festivals rest on tradition, but good organisation and the right gear are what make them repeat year after year.