Fall Camino - Festivals & Holidays

[LakeMcD]

I'm newly retired and am not tied to school schedules anymore, yahoo, my last 5 camino were all in the summer. We are planning a Fall (ish) camino with a start date window of late August to early September. Will start in SJPD and likely head up to Oviedo once we reach Leon to walk the Primitivo, and finish in Muxia. I'm open to suggestions that would sway our start date such as; weather, festivals, cultural events, national holidays, cultural events.


Many Thanks,
Gary

 

[C clearly]

You might be interested in this summary by @trecile , outlining the statistics for September. You can see that early September is the busiest time of year for departures from SJPP, but the numbers drop considerably by the middle of the month. (September 1-15 roughly covers weeks 35-37.) August is busy only for the Sarria-Santiago section of the Camino. So, it could be advisable to avoid starting in SJPP from about Sept 1 to 15. Certainly, aim for a mid-week start there.

I have walked twice in October and found it to be an excellent time to walk, with great weather until Galicia.

 

[LakeMcD]

You might be interested in this summary by @trecile , outlining the statistics for September. You can see that early September is the busiest time of year for departures from SJPP, but the numbers drop considerably by the middle of the month. (September 1-15 roughly covers weeks 35-37.) August is busy only for the Sarria-Santiago section of the Camino. So, it could be advisable to avoid starting in SJPP from about Sept 1 to 15. Certainly, aim for a mid-week start there.

I have walked twice in October and found it to be an excellent time to walk, with great weather until Galicia.

Very informative and am indeed surprised by the numbers. Might have to consider a different route?

What was the weather like for you in Galicia?

 

[davebugg]

Well, technically, you would still be walking a camino during summer since fall does not start until September 21/22. . I believe that is also when Logrono celebrates the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival/festivities of San Mateo.

Caleb (son) and I had no idea about the festival until after we arrived, but it was absolutely fun wandering around and enjoying all the live music and the carnival-like atmosphere near where all the lovely tapas bars are located.

 

[C clearly]

Might have to consider a different route?

No, that's not necessary! Just plan to avoid starting those first two weeks of September. Late August and late September will likely be fine, in terms of crowds. The earlier start might have some hot weather in September.

What was the weather like for you in Galicia?

Mixed - lots of rain, damp, cool, etc., but not every day, and it was November by the time I got there. Galicia tends to be wet at any time of year.

 

[Tincatinker]

San Mateo in Oviedo starting around 21 September, but check for 2022, is a hoot. As @davebugg has suggested the coincident festival in Logrono is also fun - but take disposable clothing: there is a lot of wine throwing

 

[Vacajoe]

Pretty sure my wife classifies ALL of my Camino clothing as “disposable” after each time I walk….

 

[jungleboy]

with great weather until Galicia.

Said every pilgrim ever!

 

[natefaith]

Said every pilgrim ever!

Galicia keeps us all on our toes! 2 years ago it rained every single day in November. This year November was beautiful!

Overall, though, walking in September and October in Galicia is pretty nice. @LakeMcD The rainfall for the year in Santiago de Compostela can look like this:

https://meteobox.com/statistics/precipitation/santiago-en2154591.png

Source: https://meteobox.com/spain/santiago/statistics/

Of course, Santiago is one of the rainiest cities in Europe...

Here are some stats for Galicia itself: https://www.holiday-weather.com/galicia/averages

What's sad is to see that in January we only get an average of 3 hours of sunshine!

Sept/ Oct are better.

 

[Caminogoat]

I have walked twice in October and found it to be an excellent time to walk, with great weather until Galicia.

Yes, I agree with C Clearly. I had 5 days of non-stop rain until I reached Ribadeo. Then, I escaped to Camino Ingles. The weather there was mild and mostly dry, lovely walk, too.

 

[barnettstakeagiantstep]

We walked the Primitivo this last Oct and had perfect weather.
All Saints holiday was a 4 day weekend of activity and lodging rates skyrocketed.

 

[tomfriesen]

I'm newly retired and am not tied to school schedules anymore, yahoo, my last 5 camino were all in the summer. We are planning a Fall (ish) camino with a start date window of late August to early September. Will start in SJPD and likely head up to Oviedo once we reach Leon to walk the Primitivo, and finish in Muxia. I'm open to suggestions that would sway our start date such as; weather, festivals, cultural events, national holidays, cultural events.


Many Thanks,
Gary

A festival that I have participated in three times (while hospitaleroing in Nàjera on the Camino Frances) takes place on November 15 and 16. There may be other activities in normal times but the fun part for pilgrims staying in the large municipal albergue, was the evening parade. Donning the costumes and wearing cabazudos (the large heads of animals and people) we followed pipers and drummers and a fellow shooting off fireworks while we gave out candies to children. The festival was in honour of Saint Gertrude, the patron Saint of shepherds, tailors and the recently dead. The town of Nàjera used to be a furniture making centre so the connection to this German Saint is clear.

 

[LakeMcD]

A festival that I have participated in three times (while hospitaleroing in Nàjera on the Camino Frances) takes place on November 15 and 16. There may be other activities in normal times but the fun part for pilgrims staying in the large municipal albergue, was the evening parade. Donning the costumes and wearing cabazudos (the large heads of animals and people) we followed pipers and drummers and a fellow shooting off fireworks while we gave out candies to children. The festival was in honour of Saint Gertrude, the patron Saint of shepherds, tailors and the recently dead. The town of Nàjera used to be a furniture making centre so the connection to this German Saint is clear.

Sounds like a lot of fun

 

[LakeMcD]

Well, technically, you would still be walking a camino during summer since fall does not start until September 21/22. . I believe that is also when Logrono celebrates the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival/festivities of San Mateo.

Caleb (son) and I had no idea about the festival until after we arrived, but it was absolutely fun wandering around and enjoying all the live music and the carnival-like atmosphere near where all the lovely tapas bars are located.

I would enjoy this, we shall see about the timing.