Join our Short Break in Santiago de Compostela to celebrate St James Day 2023 on the 25th July, the most special day in the Camino calendar.
Santiago de Compostela, the Galician capital, is synonymous with the Camino de Santiago, and the final destination on the ancient pilgrimage route. Many people walk for weeks, to reach this enchanting historic city and collect their Camino certificate. The jewel in the city’s crown is most definitely its Cathedral, the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Santiago de Compostela has been linked with St. James since 1063.
On this short break in Santiago de Compostela, you will take in the festivities of the annual Feast of St James, and get to explore and know this wonderful historic city.
The city of Santiago knows how to celebrate with this fantastic event! In the two weeks leading up to the day, there are exhibitions, concerts, drama productions and street entertainment. Closer to the day, there is something on almost every night in the Old Town’s main squares. On the evening of 24th July, in the Praza do Obradoiro, are the Fogos do Apóstol – an incredible display of pyrotechnics that sees the side of the cathedral dramatically illuminated at midnight. The feast day itself includes many official celebrations and processions, the most important of which is an official Mass attended by representatives of the Galician government and often by members of the Spanish Royal family.
The Botafumeiro will be swung during mass on the 25th July. Only 11 days of each year the Botafumeiro is swung for sure, St James Day being one of them.
Soak up the extraordinary ambience of the St James festivities in Santiago de Compostela with a combination of free time and guided tours on this unforgettable trip. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience St James Day in Santiago de Compostela and its unique atmosphere with our escorted tour!
