Five gastronomic festivals to eat Galicia in bites

To say that in Galicia we love good food and drink is no secret. From the famous octopus á feira with cachelos, the empanada or the finger-licking seafood, to the wine of the Ribeira Sacra and the Rías Baixas, among others, visiting our lands is synonymous with feast and joy for our palate. Today we discover just some of the many popular gastronomic festivals that will be held throughout the month of August.

Festa do Mexilón e o Berberecho, Vilagarcía de Arousa

From August 8th to Sunday 11th, the Festa do Mexilón e o Berberecho reaches this year its thirtieth edition, being celebrated since 1994. In addition to the tasting of mussels and cockles, products that are the basis of the local industry and part of its history through the canneries, the town will sound the rhythm of Panorama, Roisa Casal and Antonio Barros & Lis Pardo and you can also enjoy the fair of opportunities.

Festa da Lamprea Seca, Arbo

The town of Arbo hosts every second weekend of August the Festa da Lamprea Seca in the traditional Carballeira de Turbela.

During the whole day, this dish can be tasted at the stands set up in different varieties such as roasted, battered, stuffed, with noodles, etc.

In addition to the obligatory tasting of this delicacy, there are also different activities such as the Festa da Bicicleta, the Andaina da Lamprea Seca, the crafts and antiques fair and lots of music.

Festa da Ameixa, O Carril

Celebrated since 1991, the Festa da Ameixa de Carril, in Vilagarcía de Arousa, promises to delight us with its star product. Next Sunday, August 11, from 11:30 am, O Carril will be filled with music with the morning parade and will be followed by the proclamation and opening of clam tasting from 12.00 pm. The party will extend until the afternoon with the awards ceremony of the First Photography Contest "Ameixa de Carril" and lots of music.

Festa do Polbo, O Carballiño

O Carballiño does not need sea to be the epicenter of the octopus festival. On the banks of the Arenteiro river, this festival attracts the attention of more than 70,000 visitors who come to enjoy a good portion of this preparation. This Sunday, August 11, the cultural animation will begin at 11.00 a.m. and, with it, the delicious octopus feast.

Feira do Xamón, A Cañiza

The Carballeira do Cacharado will be the stage for the 58th edition of the Feira do Xamón da Cañiza next Thursday, August 15. The dry and cold climate of the region of Paradanta, the altitude and ideal temperature make the area a perfect place for curing hams, lacones, chorizos and other pork products. That is why in La Cañiza there has been a ham tradition for more than a century and its festival has been celebrated since 1966, being recognized as a festival of tourist interest.

Festas da Empanada

Almost at the same time, two Galician municipalities celebrate the Festa da Empanada: Silleda, specifically in the parish of A Bandeira, and Chantada. The Festa da Empanada in Bandeira has been celebrated since 1974, on the third Saturday of August and, in Chantada, on Tuesday 27 August in the Castro de San Amaro, as part of the patron saint's festivities.

With such a variety of gastronomic festivals, we have no doubt that it is difficult not to choose Galicia as a destination this summer.