Customs and culture of Arzúa
Festivals, cheese and traditions of Arzúa
Arzúa lives off its surrounding region: cheese, honey and festivals that fill the calendar from May to September. If you coincide with one, it is worth going along.
San Xoán in Arzúa
It is celebrated in the old town on the night of 23–24 June, with bonfires and Galician folklore on the main street.
What’s on
It is a night of music and popular rituals:
- Bonfires and music: dancing and bonfires until the early hours, with the purification rituals and witches (meigas) of the tradition.
- Orchestras: during the festivities popular orchestras play in the afternoon and at night.
- Free entry: the street events are public and free.
You can see an example of “San Juan de Arzúa” here.
Arzúa cheese and honey
Arzúa is the capital of Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, a soft cheese with a thin yellowish rind. Flower honey is also produced.
What to try
Three things worth taking home or trying:
- Arzúa-Ulloa cheese: made with cow’s milk from Rubia Gallega or Friesian cows. It has a creamy texture and a fresh-milk aroma.
- Galician honey: multifloral, chestnut, bramble and eucalyptus, dark in colour.
- Quality label: look for the D.O.P. on the cheese and the I.G.P. on honey and other local products.
Cheese Festival
It is held at the fairgrounds on the first weekend of March. There is a cheese competition, sale of artisan cheese and concerts.
What’s on
It is the town’s big festival and draws many people:
- Market: Saturday and Sunday, to buy artisan cheese directly.
- Festival do Queixo: free concerts at the fairground.
- Tapas and competitions: tastings, prizes for the best cheeses and guided tastings.
Carmen Festival
It is held on 16 July around the Carmen chapel, with a procession and popular open-air dances.
What’s on
Three days of festivities, from the 15th to the 17th:
- Neighbourhood festival: the Virgin of Carmen is honoured in the chapel’s neighbourhood.
- Procession and mass: followed by a street parade through the centre.
- Open-air dances: orchestras at night, with food stalls in the nearby squares.
Festival of the Cans (Botes)
It is held in August in the streets of the centre. A very small-town festival, with a parade of floats and the festa da auga (water party).
What’s on
The date varies; it is usually the middle weekend of August:
- Urban pilgrimage: the festival takes over the centre all weekend.
- Parade of cans: a competition of floats made from tin cans and recycled materials.
- Music and water: concerts at night and the traditional festa da auga.
Horse Fair
It is held at the fairgrounds on the third weekend of August, with dressage competitions and exhibitions.
What’s on
It brings together riders and breeders from the region:
- Gathering: riders and dealers meet on Saturday and Sunday.
- Dressage and competitions: exhibitions of high school, trot and Galician pace.
- Prizes: trophies for the best horses and riders, and octopus stalls in the nearby tents.
Dog Fair
It is held at the fairgrounds on the last Sunday of September, with hunting-dog competitions.
What’s on
A historic date in the region:
- Gathering: the biggest meeting of hunting dogs in the area.
- Breed show: hound exhibitions and tracking trials.
- Sales and supplies: direct sale of animals and hunting equipment, with octopus stalls in the tents.
Festival of San Roque
It is held on 16 August at the San Roque chapel, with a solemn mass and popular open-air dances.
What’s on
The events run from the 15th to the 16th:
- Saint’s festival: San Roque, protector of the region, is honoured.
- Mass and procession: followed by the vermouth session.
- Music and dancing: orchestras with free entry and food stalls in the nearby squares.
San Queremos Vilantime
A May pilgrimage-festival at the festival grounds, with a communal meal and orchestras.
What’s on
A festival with plenty of humour, almost a parody of Valentine’s Day:
- Second weekend of May: the date changes every year. The “Arzúa Valentine’s” is celebrated in the parish.
- Communal meal: huge lunches followed by dancing.
- Live music: orchestras with free entry and octopus and meat stalls.