If there is one thing that defines the Costa da Morte, apart from its wild landscapes and untamed sea, it is its strong cultural identity. Throughout the year, this seafaring land is filled with celebrations that blend history, tradition and a deep respect for its roots. From ancestral pilgrimages to cultural festivals, each event is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the most authentic essence of Galicia.
If you want to get to know the Costa da Morte in a different way, here we tell you about some of its most emblematic festivities. Prepare your calendar and come and experience them first hand!
Traditional festivals in Costa da Morte
In Galicia, religion and tradition are uniquely intertwined, and the Costa da Morte is home to some of the most unique festivities in the northwest of the peninsula.
Mostra do Encaixe of Camariñas
📅 Easter
Much more than an event, it is an explosion of creativity, tradition and fashion. It is the most important lace event in the world, with more than 30 years of history. It brings together artisans from Galicia, Spain and other parts of the world. It includes a catwalk of avant-garde fashion and different stands where
Virxe da Barca Pilgrimage (Muxía)
📅 Second Sunday in September (if it falls on the 8th, move to the 15th)
It is one of the most important pilgrimages in Galicia and attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors. In Muxía, next to the Santuario da Virxe da Barca, Christian devotion is mixed with ancient pagan beliefs. According to legend, the Virgin arrived here in a stone boat to encourage the Apostle Santiago in his evangelisation.
The setting is impressive: the sea crashing against the rocks, the sanctuary at the top of the cliff and the traditional rites, such as passing under the Pedra dos Cadrís, which according to popular belief has healing properties.
Fiestas del Carmen: a tribute to sailors
📅 16 July
The sea is the heart of the Costa da Morte, and the Festas do Carmen, patron saint of sailors, is one of the most eagerly awaited celebrations in the coastal towns. In towns such as Malpica, Camariñas and Laxe, the maritime processions are the highlight of the festivities.
Decorated boats travel the sea in honour of the Virgen del Carmen, in an image that thrills locals and visitors alike.
Carballeira de Zas: folk festival
📅 Second weekend in August
Folk music is a fundamental part of Galician culture and its Celtic counterparts, and there are few places where you can discover how diverse and charismatic it is as at the “Carballeira de Zas”. Two days of music festival where you will have the chance to listen to established folk groups alongside those that are emerging. And all in a unique setting such as the Carballeira, a natural space of undeniable magic.
Assault on the castle of Vimianzo
📅 First Saturday in July
In 1468, what is popularly known as the Irmandiña revolt took place in Galicia. This was a rebellion of the common people against the upper echelons of society. A historical milestone that is honoured every year in Vimianzo with the medieval festival of the “Asalto ao Castelo”.
Here you can stroll through the streets of this village dressed in period costume to transport you back in time with the “pinchos irmandiños” offered by most of the locals, the stalls of the medieval fair where you can find craft products, but above all the assault on the castle, a theatrical performance in which you will have the opportunity to become a medieval revolutionary. All of this is accompanied by musical performances by nationally and internationally renowned artists.
Festiletras
📅 16 July
Culture and Costa da Morte are two realities that walk hand in hand. This relationship is known for its tradition and history and, increasingly, for its present and the innovation that is taking place in all fields.
A clear example of this is the “Festiletras”, a festival that brings together the greatest exponents of the present and future of music, literature, crafts, film, television, theatre and culture in general. An unmissable event that promotes and highlights the potential of Galician culture today.
Corme Barnacle Festival
📅 First Saturday in July
Barnacles are one of the most coveted products of the Galician sea due to their intensity and flavour. And, without a doubt, of all the places to catch this delicacy, one stands out: Roncudo. So, how could it be otherwise, a gastronomic festival dedicated to this delicacy could only be held in one place: Corme.
For this reason, every year, the town of Corme dresses up for a tasting of its best products and the celebration of a great festival.
Pilgrimage of Saint Hadrian of Malpica
📅 16 June
According to legend, there was a plague of snakes in the area of Malpica until the arrival of Saint Hadrian. He stepped on one of them, scaring the others, who immediately left the place.
Today this event is celebrated in the “Romaría de Santo Hadrián”, in which you can participate by accompanying the pilgrims in the procession of the figure to the 16th century hermitage located on the cape of Santo Hadrián. A walk with beautiful views of the Sisargas Islands.
Mostra de Olería de buño: traditional handicrafts
📅 First weekend in August
Buño’s pottery is renowned worldwide for both its tradition and its quality, and there is no better place to discover this fascinating world than the “Mostra da Olería de Buño”. Here you can see the creations of the best artisans and buy them, or witness live how a piece is formed, learn how to make them in their workshops or even enjoy elements such as concerts, shows and gastronomic competitions that enliven the town during these days.
Laxe Shipwreck
📅 17 August
The “Naufraxio” festival is a tribute from the people of Laxe to the Virgin of Carmen for her protection and help to the sailors.
Its origin is due to the figure of Avelino Lema Santos, a sailor who survived three shipwrecks, who promoted it from the beginning in 1962. Here you can see the representation of the “Shipwreck” in which some sailors capsize on their way back from a day’s work.
Three of them manage to reach land where the image of the Virgen del Carmen awaits them. However, a fourth one does not make it and has to be rescued and later resuscitated by the image of the Virgin herself, who performs the miracle.
Miracles of Caión
📅 8 September
In Caión there is a spring whose waters are considered miraculous. It is said that both drinking it and soaking cloths in it to apply to painful areas can help to heal.
This is why every year the “Romería dos Milagres” is held, with masses and processions in which the devotees give thanks for the favours received. Not only that, the “Romería de los Milagros” is also one of the most popular festivals in the area, with large orchestras to liven up the evenings.
Holy Christ of Fisterra
📅 Easter
Legend has it that a ship off the coast of Fisterra was unable to advance until it threw a box into the sea. This box reached a beach in Fisterra and when the fishermen opened it they discovered the image of the Holy Christ.
Somehow, the figure decided that this was the place where he should stay and he has not left the town since. Every holy week since then, the feast of the holy Christ is celebrated, where you can witness and participate in the representation of the different elements of the passion of Christ: from the pilgrimage of the most holy Christ and the procession of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the procession of the holy burial and the staging of the resurrection.
All of this while you attend the masses and offerings that complement the stagings and rites. But not everything is related to religion, as there are also places where you can enjoy the night-time festivities with their orchestras and dances.
Corcubión Medieval Fair
📅 Last weekend of July
The “Feria Medieval de Corcubión” is a journey into the past with which you can fully experience a few days in the Middle Ages. The streets of Corcubión are the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the exhibitions of falconry and medieval fights, the small concerts of troubadours with period instruments and accompanied by jugglers, dances and other activities that will make you enjoy so much that you will have to pinch yourself to check that you are still in the present.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs of this temporary journey at the medieval market to showcase this experience.
Dumbría Beach Festival
📅 First weekend in August
The “Fiesta de la Playa do Ézaro” offers you a unique day of sea and sand for the whole family. The youngest members of the family will enjoy children’s craft workshops, games of skill and inflatables. But there will also be time and space for adults with musical performances, a big sardinada and the traditional parade. And for the more adventurous, the OCR Praia do Ézaro obstacle course.
Xunqueira de Cee
📅 15 and 16 August
According to legend, the Virxe da Xunqueira appeared among some reeds and, in that precise place, a sanctuary was built which gave rise to the current town of Cee. Thus, every 15th and 16th August this place dresses up to celebrate its founding anniversary with the traditional religious services and the procession of the Xunqueira.
It is a celebration that goes beyond the religious aspect with an inauguration of the festivities by a famous personage, open-air dances, children’s parties, fireworks from the Concha beach and a great concert as the end of the festivities.
Festa da Pataca de Coristanco
📅 14 and 15 September
The Coristanco potato is one of the best in the world and, of course, it has its own gastronomic festival in which tribute is paid to this excellent product and to all the farmers and their work.
There you can attend and participate in a wide range of activities and shows such as the exhibition of agricultural machinery, the potato figures contest, the activities of the land (trullo contest and potato making) or the Coristanco potato omelette contest. All accompanied by performances and concerts that will liven up these days of festivities.
Conclusion: Experience the Costa da Morte and its traditions
These are just some of the many festivals that take place on the Costa da Morte throughout the year. On our website, you can consult all of them. The festivities of the Costa da Morte are a perfect way to discover the essence of this territory, combining history, gastronomy and popular culture.
