Spain Events and Festivals

7/15/2009 - 7/25/2009Festival of Saint James

James, the patron saint of Santiago, is honoured in a July festival that culminates in the so-called 'Fire of the Saint', a world-renowned service in the cathedral. The warm-up to the big event is a programme of exhibitions, theatre productions, street shows and music concerts over the course of about 10 days. Then at midday on Saint James' Day, the bells toll out to announce the celebration that will take place in the evening. The vast square in front of the cathedral is the stage for a firework spectacular and a show with regional dances and bagpipe music. During the service in the cathedral, the great incense burner (Botafumeiro) swings like a giant pendulum, filling the nave with scented smoke. It is a crowded, emotion-filled event. Those years on which the saint's day falls on a Sunday are the subject of even greater activity.