Festival and fairs
You’ll discover what a great time we have in Allariz. Local fiestas, food, cultural and tourism interest festivals plus sporting events are held all through the year for everyone to enjoy.
You’ll discover what a great time we have in Allariz. Local fiestas, food, cultural and tourism interest festivals plus sporting events are held all through the year for everyone to enjoy.
This Galician Festival of Tourism Interest is held between May and June coinciding with the Corpus Christi festival. It dates back to 1317 when Xan de Arzúa, a man of religious conviction, angered by the behaviour of the Jews at the Corpus procession, decided to attend riding on an ox to frighten the disrespectful Jews. It’s said that when then they saw him they dropped the idea of harassing the Christian community. This story was the reason why the ox races were recovered in 1983.
Since 1988 the Xan de Arzúa Association has been in charge of working to recover and preserve the historic tradition of the Ox Festival. The Association organises more than 70 events during the 9-day festival during which everyone in Allariz plays an active and voluntary role. The festival programme is centred on music, theatre, children's activities, community gatherings and, of course, the ox races.
Since 1317
Galician Festival of Tourism Interest since 2006
www.festadoboi.gal
Strolling through the streets in the historic quarter is always a pleasure, but it's even better during Easter Week, a time when Allariz welcomes large numbers of visitors. Live performances in the streets, cultural and children's activities plus markets and guided tours form the backbone of the "Semana Santa ao Vivo" cultural programme.
Easter (from Thursday to Sunday)
This is Allariz's annual big festival. It's held in July, on the weekend closest to Saint Benedict's day (11 July).
It's mainly a religious festival held in honour of Allariz's patron saint. The religious celebrations are joined by sporting activities, food and drink events, processions and a parade of giants and bigheads. The traditional firework display marks the end of the festival.
11 July - "San Bieito"
The weekend closest
The Pie Festival has been held since 1971 on the third weekend in August on the banks of the Arnoia river. Its origins lie in the custom of holding a party for the enjoyment of expatriates from the local community who return to Allariz in the summer. It's a festival of food and drink, with the pies taking centre stage, although the programme also includes musical and sporting events.
third weekend in August
The historic quarter of Allariz becomes the backdrop against which Galician craftsmen and craftswomen show their wares. Arte de Man displays and sells items made using a range of traditional and innovative disciplines such as pottery, painting, drawing and engraving, sculpture, jewellery and costume jewellery, textiles, stained glass, leather and wood. The event also features live workshops and demonstrations.
second Sunday September
This event, held on the second weekend of November, celebrates a whole range of seasonal products like chestnuts, walnut, wild mushrooms and home-made bread, giving visitors a chance to taste and buy both natural as well as prepared and packaged products.
The fair programme includes educational guided tours, wild mushroom displays and show cooking sessions.
second weekend of November
Galician culture will pervade the atmosphere on the streets in the historic quarter of Allariz as it turns into a scary landscape. The streets are filled with ghosts, witches and other beings from beyond the grave.
SAMHAIN
31 October – 1 November
Every year Allariz holds the Ethnographic Festival when members of the local community in Queiroás da Igrexa and Seoane recreate the tasks traditionally associated with the bread cycle, starting with the harvest, going on to the "malla", or threshing, and finally grinding the grain.
Every August, Santa Mariña de Augas Santas becomes the place where both traditional basket makers gather alongside the sector's more innovative exponents.
July and August
At Christmas time, Allariz turns into an original, interactive space, getting into the Christmas spirit by decorating the streets and squares around the town centre. At this time of year the decorations are a popular subject for photos snapped by local residents and visitors alike.
Christmas time
The Tannery owned by the Nogueiras family is an 18th century building on a square layout with a large central courtyard. It stands on the right bank of the Arnoia river, in Portovello Park and is a clear example of a burgeoning industry that gave Allariz its reputation as a major leather tanning centre.
Antiga Fábrica de Curtidos Familia Nogueiras
Rúa A Granxa s/n, 32660 Allariz
Tlf. 988440859
museos@allariz.com
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 5 pm to 7 pm
July, August and up to 15 September from Tuesday to Sunday
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 6 pm to 8 pm
Guided tours: Reatur (telephone 988442006, reatur@allariz.com)
Single ticket: €2
Groups (15 people): €1
3 museums pass (Toy, Leather, Fashion): €3
Free for children up to the age of 4 and citizen's card holders
The museum occupies the Castro Ojea family home, a 14th century mansion. This unusual museum, the first of its kind in Galicia, uses interactive displays about the textile sector in Allariz, recreating life in the town over the centuries.
Rúa O Portelo, 3A 32660 Allariz
Tlf. 988440859
museos@allariz.com
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 5 pm to 7 pm
July, August Tuesday to Sunday
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 6 pm to 8 pm
July, august:
tuesday, wednesday and sunday
from 11 am to 2 pm
Thursday, friday and saturday
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 6 pm to 8 pm
Single ticket: €2
Groups (15 people): €1
3 museums pass (Toy, Leather, Fashion): €3
Free for children up to the age of 4 and citizen's card holders
Occupying the country house and former Courthouse, a late 17th century building, the museum holds collections of games and toys from all periods, mostly donated by local resident Alberto Oro Claro and with contributions by other private individuals.
Rúa O Portelo, 4 32660 Allariz
Tlf. 988440859
museos@allariz.com
www.museogalegodoxoguete.com
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 5 pm to 7 pm
July, August and up to 15 September from Tuesday to Sunday
from 11 am to 2 pm
from 6 pm to 8 pm
Guided tours: Reatur (telephone 988442006, reatur@allariz.com)
Single ticket: €2
Groups (15 people): €1
3 museums pass (Toy, Leather, Fashion): €3
Free for children up to the age of 4 and citizen's card holders