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A Coruña’s calendar peaks in summer, but the city has a festival in nearly every season, from the June bonfires of San Juan to the October funfair of San Froilán. Most events are free and outdoors. This list covers the main A Coruña events and festivals with dates and locations, and the best time to visit A Coruña guide helps you line up your dates.
Events and Festivals in A Coruña: Spring
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Easter week, usually late March or April, brings nightly processions through the old town, with the largest on Good Friday. The route runs through Ciudad Vieja and past the churches of the historic centre. It is a religious event, quieter than Andalusian Semana Santa, and most shops close on Good Friday.
Carnaval / Entroido
Galicia’s carnival season runs the week before Lent, in February or March. A Coruña holds costume parades, street parties and a children’s procession, with the biggest celebrations on the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Bars and restaurants in the centre fill up, and many locals dress up for the whole week.
Events and Festivals in A Coruña: Summer
Noche de San Juan (23 to 24 June)
The biggest single night of the year. Thousands of people gather on Riazor and Orzán beaches on the night of 23 June to light bonfires, jump over the flames for good luck and swim in the sea after midnight. It is one of the largest San Juan celebrations in Spain, and the beaches stay packed until dawn, with the nearby attractions covered in the things to do in A Coruña guide.
Fiestas de María Pita
The city’s patron-saint festival runs through August, centred on María Pita square and the seafront. Expect free concerts, street markets, children’s activities and a closing fireworks display. The exact programme changes each year, but the busiest days fall around the middle of the month, and the surrounding A Coruña neighborhoods all join the party.
Noroeste Pop Rock
A free open-air music festival held in early to mid-August on Riazor beach and the nearby Playa de San Amaro. It brings Spanish indie and rock acts across several nights, with no tickets required. Arrive early for the headline sets, as the beach fills up quickly.
Viñetas desde o Atlántico
A comics and illustration festival held each August, with exhibitions spread across the city’s cultural centres and the Kiosco Alfonso gallery. It is free to enter and draws international cartoonists. Dates move year to year, usually mid-month.
Events and Festivals in A Coruña: Autumn
San Froilán
The city’s other patron-saint festival, around 5 October, fills the Paseo de los Puentes area with a funfair, food stalls selling pulpo (octopus) and churrasco, and evening concerts. It is the autumn equivalent of the summer fiestas and runs for about a week, with transport details in the A Coruña travel tips page.
Día de Todos los Santos (1 November)
All Saints’ Day is a quiet public holiday, when families visit cemeteries and bakeries sell huesos de santo and roasted chestnuts. Most museums and shops close, but the parks and promenade stay busy with locals.
Events and Festivals in A Coruña: Winter
Navidad (Christmas and Three Kings)
December brings a Christmas market and lights in María Pita square, and the holiday season peaks on 5 January with the Three Kings parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) through the centre. Shops close on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January.
Most summer festivals are outdoors, so plan for the mild Atlantic weather described in the A Coruña weather by month guide. For hotel areas close to the action, see where to stay in A Coruña.
