Castilla y León has been celebrating for many years a great variety of celebrations that have now become proper traditions. A variety of celebrations and traditions can be highlighted from each province, but the most important are the following:
One of the most important celebrations of Ávila focuses on Santa Teresa, a very remarkable figure of the city. It consists of the religious procession of Santa Teresa marked by the participation of giants and big-heads during it. Furthermore, the pilgrimage of San Segundo, patron saint of the city, is another characteristic celebration of this city in which the antique clothing worn can be highlighted. Finally, it is also important to mention the Virgin Sonsoles pilgrimage celebrated in October in a village near the city.
Burgos celebrates each January a celebration in honor of their patron saint, Saint Lesmes. It is very important because it is also celebrated in Loudum, France, birthplace of this Benedictine monk. Two of the most common celebrations in Spain are Carnival and Easter Week which are also very important in Burgos, whose celebration is given much importance. But the celebration that is undoubtedly the most characteristic of Burgos is El Curpillo, designated of Regional Touristic Interest, which is celebrated in Las Huelgas Monastery.
One of the most remarkable celebrations in León is Easter Week. Each of the religious processions that take place has great importance as well as touristic interest. However, not only religious acts are celebrated in León during the Easter Week, but also the religious procession that most people attend to is the procession of San Genarín, in honor of a drunk man, famous in the city. Another important date is Saint Juan’s Eve that coincides with the patron saint festivals of León.
The celebration in honor of Saint Antolín is the most important date in Palencia and it takes place in the first days of September. Another important celebration is the Feria Chica de Pentecostés, during which traditional songs and dances of the province’s folkloric groups take an important role. Moreover, there are more important celebrations in Palencia, most of them in honor of a saint; like, for instance, Saint Isidoro, Saint Marcos, Saint Juanillo and Saint Toribio.
Salamanca bustles with booths, concerts, fireworks and more activities during the second week of September due to their patron saint festival in honor of the la Vega Virgin. Another important date for Salamanca is the Lunes de Aguas celebrated in the first of the week after Easter, during which people eat the most typical food of the city while meeting in the countryside.
But Salamanca, as a university city, holds celebrations in honor of its name, like the Universitarian New Year’s Eve, during which the city is filled with young people that celebrate New Year’s Eve in advance.
Segovia, like the rest of provinces of Castilla y León, celebrates a great variety of traditions all throughout the year. The most popular is the celebration of Saint Lorenzo of Segovia and its peculiar parade of clubs in which water is the protagonist. Another important celebration is the one celebrated in honor of Saint Águeda in winter. The celebrations of Saint Juan and Saint Pedro are certainly one of the most popular of them all due to their events and the time of the year in which they are celebrated.
Saint Juan is one of the most held celebrations in Spain and Soria is not an exception. During these celebrations, the city bustles with people in an atmosphere full of clubs, music and dances. Like in the rest of provinces, Carnival and Easter Week are one of the most popular celebrations. A say from Soria says “Haga frío o calor, San Saturio el día dos” related to another important celebration held on October 2nd in honor of this saint.
The celebration held in honor of the Virgin of Saint Lorenzo is one of the most popular ones in Valladolid. The city bustles with people, booths with tapas and drinks, music, popular dances, bullfighting and more activities. Another important celebration is the one held on May 13th in honor of Saint Pedro Regalado, during which the city is full of a festive atmosphere.
It is also important to highlight the SEMINCI, the International Film Festival of Valladolid, that in 2017, its 62nd edition was held. During it, Valladolid is full of the best Spanish films.
Easter Week is the event and tradition par excellence of Zamora, but not all celebrations are related to religion. One of the most typical celebrations are the Mascaradas de Invierno, held after Christmas and before Carnival. During it, the protagonists are colorful costumes whose upper part is the most eye-catching of the costume.
As it can be seen, Castilla y León is a very traditional region. Religion is one of the most common reasons for celebration, and Easter Week is the most important example that can be highlighted in each of the provinces.
