Gijón (Xixón in Asturian) is a city that lives outdoors. Over the year it strings together one of northern Spain’s liveliest carnivals, a crime-fiction festival that turns into a giant summer fair, a non-stop August and one of Spain’s oldest film festivals. Here is the calendar month by month, with links to a full guide for each event.
Dates shift from year to year and many are announced only a few months ahead. Use this page to see roughly when things happen, and check our What’s On listings for confirmed dates.
February: Comadres, Antroxu and FETEN
February is carnival month, known in Asturias as Antroxu. Its dates depend on Easter, so it can fall anywhere from early February to early March.
- Les Comadres: on the Thursday before carnival, groups of women go out for lunch or dinner together. It kicks off the carnival.
- Antroxu: costume parade, brass bands (charangas), street parties and the Burial of the Sardine to close. It is an officially recognised Festival of Tourist Interest of Asturias.
- FETEN: the performing-arts fair for children and young people brings companies and programmers from all over Europe. It is usually held in the second half of February, with shows open to the public.
April and May: music and digital art
- Gijón Sound Festival: a small indie music festival which, in recent editions, has been held in spring with gigs around Cimavilla and the city centre.
- L.E.V. Festival: electronic music and audiovisual art, based mainly at Laboral City of Culture. Usually late April or early May.
June and July: Metrópoli and Semana Negra
- Metrópoli: straddling late June and early July, the Luis Adaro fairground fills with concerts, comics, video games and pop culture for about ten days.
- Semana Negra: Spain’s best-known crime-fiction festival is also a huge open-air fair, with literary marquees, stalls, funfair rides and concerts. It takes place in July and entry is free.
August: the big month
August has the most going on – and the most people. If you want to be here, book accommodation months in advance.
- FIDMA: the Asturias International Trade Fair fills the first half of August at the Luis Adaro fairground. It is a trade show, but also a classic summer day out for local families.
- Begoña fireworks: on the night of 14 August, the eve of the Begoña feast day, San Lorenzo bay lights up with the most eagerly awaited display of the year, at the height of the Semana Grande (“Big Week”).
- Natural Cider Festival: in late August, cider takes over the streets with markets, competitions and tastings.
- Cider-pouring world record: the cider festival’s star event – thousands of people pouring cider at the same time on Poniente beach.
November: film
- Gijón International Film Festival (FICX): founded in 1963, it is one of Spain’s oldest film festivals. It runs in November, with the Teatro Jovellanos as its main venue and a programme focused on independent and auteur cinema.
Calendar at a glance
| Month | Event | Type |
|---|---|---|
| February (follows Easter) | Les Comadres, Antroxu | Traditional festival |
| February | FETEN | Performing arts for families |
| Spring | Gijón Sound Festival | Music |
| Late April – May | L.E.V. Festival | Electronic music and audiovisual art |
| Late June – July | Metrópoli | Music and pop culture |
| July | Semana Negra | Books and street fair |
| First half of August | FIDMA | Trade fair |
| 14 August (night) | Begoña fireworks | Fireworks |
| Late August | Natural Cider Festival and pouring record | Food, drink and tradition |
| November | FICX | Film |
Tips for festival-goers
- Book early for summer. July and especially August fill hotels and flats. Carnival and the film festival are less pressured, but their main weekends still get busy.
- Leave the car behind. Big events bring road closures and parking near the action is almost impossible. Walk or use the city buses – see getting around Gijón and, if you must drive, parking in Gijón.
- Pack a layer. Even in August, evenings by the sea can be cool. Check the weather.
- Mind Spanish hours. Dinner is rarely before 9 pm and festival nights run late, so pace yourself.
- Pair festivals with cider. Few things are more Gijón than ending the day in a sidrería (cider house); learn how it works in our guide to cider in Gijón.
Tip: each edition’s dates are published first on the organisers’ official websites. We link to them on every festival page and add confirmed dates to What’s On.
Festivals
Les Comadres: Comadres Thursday in Gijón
What Comadres Thursday is in Gijón, when it takes place, what people eat (bollu preñáu, frixuelos) and how to enjoy the night that kicks off carnival.
Antroxu: Gijón's carnival
All about Antroxu, Gijón's carnival: when it takes place, the parade and brass bands, the Burial of the Sardine, and tips for joining in the fun.
FETEN: performing arts fair for children and families
FETEN, Gijón's performing-arts fair for children and young people: what it is, when it runs, how families can see shows, and practical tips.
Gijón Sound Festival
Gijón Sound Festival: the indie music festival that fills venues and squares in Gijón in spring. What it is, when it usually runs and practical tips.
L.E.V. Festival: electronic music and audiovisual art
L.E.V. Festival (Laboratorio de Electrónica Visual) in Gijón: what it is, when it runs, its venues at Laboral and tips for its immersive audiovisual shows.
Metrópoli Gijón: music and pop culture festival
Metrópoli Gijón: the festival of concerts, comics, video games and pop culture at the Luis Adaro fairground. When it runs, what to expect and tips.
Semana Negra: Gijón's crime-fiction festival
Guide to Semana Negra, Gijón's crime-fiction festival and giant July street fair: history, what to expect, when it takes place and practical tips.
FIDMA: Asturias International Trade Fair
Guide to FIDMA, the Asturias International Trade Fair held in Gijón every August: dates, what to see at the Luis Adaro fairground and visitor tips.
Begoña fireworks: Gijón's fireworks night
Gijón's Begoña fireworks night on 14 August: when it is, the best places to watch over San Lorenzo bay, and tips on transport and accommodation.
Gijón Natural Cider Festival
Gijón's Natural Cider Festival: when it is, what happens (cider market, pouring contests, the world record on Poniente beach) and tips for visitors.
Cider-pouring world record in Gijón
The simultaneous cider-pouring world record on Gijón's Poniente beach: what it is, when it happens, how to take part and tips for enjoying the day.
FICX: Gijón International Film Festival
FICX, the Gijón/Xixón International Film Festival: history since 1963, when it runs, venues, competitive sections and tips for catching screenings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest festivals in Gijón?
The largest crowds come for Antroxu (carnival, in February), Semana Negra (July), the Begoña fireworks during the Semana Grande (mid-August) and the Natural Cider Festival with its mass cider-pouring record attempt (late August). For culture lovers, the Gijón International Film Festival (November) and FETEN (February) stand out.
What is the best month to visit Gijón for festivals?
August packs in the most: the FIDMA trade fair, the Semana Grande, the fireworks night and the cider festival. It is also the busiest and most expensive month for accommodation, so book well ahead.
When are Gijón's festivals in 2027?
Most organisers have not yet published their 2027 dates. This page gives the usual time of year for each event; confirmed dates appear on each festival's official website and in our What's On listings.
Are Gijón's festivals free?
Many are: the Begoña fireworks, the carnival parade, the Semana Negra grounds and much of the cider festival are free to attend. Others, such as Metrópoli, L.E.V., FIDMA or film festival screenings, require a ticket or pass.
Sources
- Turismo Asturias – Gijón Natural Cider Festival (Festival of Tourist Interest) — 28 October 2026
- Turismo Asturias – Antroxu in Gijón — 28 October 2026
- Asturias Trade Fair Ground (Gijón Chamber of Commerce) – FIDMA — 28 October 2026
- Semana Negra de Gijón – official website — 28 October 2026