9 must-see autumn festivals in Asturias in your diary

Autumn in Asturias is an ideal time to enjoy a nature that exudes a special charm with its bright colours, its aromas and its wind, which is unique and mythical, a source of legends and life.

And in this journey to the infinite chromatism of forests and landscapes, of a thousand routes, of winding roads that take you to incredible landscapes, weeping is an episode that cannot be missed, because it is part of the Asturian autumn essence, so harvesting, so harvesting, so good food.

That's why Asturian autumn has dozens of festivals in store for you, and here we want to tell you about 9 that you can't miss.

There are so many experiences in store for you this autumn in Asturias! Are you ready?

Here are 9 celebrations, 9 places, 9 autumn events that are a must in your leisure agenda.

Cangas del Narcea, the land of good grapes celebrating the grape harvest festival

Did you know that Asturias is a land of wine? Well, it is. The south-west of Asturias has a sufficiently benevolent climate for the vineyards to thrive and produce delicious wine, both red and white. And of all this area, Cangas del Narcea is the spearhead, both in terms of production and brand, to such an extent that the Quality Wine of Cangas is becoming increasingly well-known, recognised and appreciated.

That is why, now that harvest time is upon us, coming to Cangas to celebrate these days of harvesting is a more than appetising option. Both the town and the surrounding area - where there are numerous wineries - are a party. The people of Cangas work the miracle of turning the hard work of the grape harvest into a party among friends, acquaintances and visitors, both in the vineyards and in the town itself, which is full of atmosphere.

The Fiesta de la Vendimia is an event celebrated with music in the streets, wine tastings, lunches of true brotherhood, and lots of entertainment from morning to night.

An interesting date from 11 to 14 October where you will realise that Cangas del Narcea really is a land of good grapes!

Piloña and its Hazelnut Festival, to start the autumn off on the right foot

The capital of Piloña, Infiesto, is the setting for the 47th Hazelnut Festival, and for this reason the whole council, and especially the town, takes on a festive and lively tone.

If you are a lover of hazelnuts - ablanes in Asturian - your date is in Infiesto the first weekend of October and especially on Sunday 7th, where you will taste the best of Asturias.

Music invades everything and is the perfect backdrop for the traditional market, the craft exhibition or the bowling championship, among other leisure and cultural activities that take place during the weekend.

Fun and good food are guaranteed in Infiesto!

Onís puts a jewel on your palate at the Gamonéu cheese contest

Would you like to get to know the world capital of Gamonéu? Benia de Onís becomes the world capital of Gamonéu cheese for one day - this year on Sunday 28 October - because on that day the Gamonéu cheese competition is held.

That day, from early in the morning, Benia - capital of the council of Onís - is a hive of activity with people coming from all over the world to taste and buy Gamonéu cheese, and to attend the competition of this famous cheese. There are also cheese tastings, bowling championships, a pita and lamb exhibition and competition, as well as something as original as a lamb tasting... a whole host of activities linked to the Asturian countryside and nature for you to have a great time.

You will discover that Benia is a charming village, with pleasant corners, streets and squares, as well as numerous establishments - restaurants and eating houses - where you can enjoy a quiet, yet bustling day, with Gamonéu cheese as the protagonist.

Benia de Onis puts a jewel on your palate this Asturian autumn!

Moreda de Aller: Bagpipes, drums and panchón at the Humanitarians' Festival

Are you familiar with the Fiesta de los Humanitarios? Well, if you go to Moreda de Aller on 11th November you will discover it and it will stay in your memory forever...
For more than a century, on this day in November - the Feast of San Martín de Tours - Moreda has been decked out for a special event.

Mass, puya (auction) of the ramu, the streets full of people who want to watch the bagpipe bands, the giants and big-heads and the floats.

A brilliant morning in a unique setting, culminating in a brotherhood meal. A unique gastronomic moment where friendship is exalted around a good fabada, and for dessert casadielles and of course panchón, a typical Allerano dessert made with spelt bread, butter and sugar.

At the end of the day you will feel proud to have taken part in Los Humanitarios!

Sotrondio and its ancient turnip festival

Have you ever tasted turnip stew? Well, if you haven't yet, the Turnip Festival in Sotrondio - which also coincides with its big day on 11 November - is a unique occasion.

The turnip stew, and especially the one cooked in the kitchens of Sotrondio, is an exquisite delicacy that will not disappoint you, quite the contrary. Especially if you top it off with a good dessert such as casadielles, fayuelos or rice pudding.

Moreover, this festival is linked to a legend of the Asturian monarchy that tells that it was King Aurelio, when he established the royal capital in this council, who gave rise to this celebration back in 774...

Be that as it may, you will find the Turnip Festival both regal and tasty!

A more than magical night in Navelgas with the Esfoyón and the Amagosto (a kind of turnip festival)

If I say "esfoyón" or "amagosto", do you know what I'm talking about? Well, a great opportunity to get to know these traditions is to go to the magical night of Navelgas, in Tineo, on the 10th of November, where you will experience live some customs that are part of the Asturian rural past and that will undoubtedly transport you to worlds that seem like a dream?

Many years ago, the neighbours of the different villages of Asturias used to gather in a house to help the host family with the work of stripping the corn husks, strimming them and hanging them in the corridors of the houses or granaries. The occasion was used for feasting, singing, courting... It was a great social gathering.

In Navelgas de arriba they recreate those atmospheres of yesteryear and the village is illuminated with torches, the streets are covered with straw, the villagers dress up in old clothes, and all over the village you can taste chestnuts, corn cakes, frixuelos, lard... and all washed down with homemade anisette and orujo... A friendly and authentic atmosphere that will keep you partying until the early hours of the morning.

In just one magical night you will experience a sphoyon and an amagosto!

Les cebolles rellenes, the great gastronomic invention of El Entrego

Did you know that les cebolles rellenes (stuffed onions) were a dish that came about as the result of a cook's improvisation? In fact, there was a legendary cook in El Entrego, in San Martín del Rey Aurelio, popularly known as La Nina, who, back in 1927, found herself one Good Friday in the also legendary restaurant La Laguna - which she owned - with some customers with a good appetite, and all she had to offer them was some tins of tuna and some onions. La Nina didn't think twice and said to herself: "I'm going to stuff the onions!

Little did La Nina know then that she was creating one of the most succulent dishes in the history of gastronomy, which has also given rise to one of the tastiest festivals of the Asturian autumn: that of the stuffed onions, which fills El Entrego with people and atmosphere every 30 November.

Pote minero de Turón, a very autumn classic

Do you know the patron saint of miners? In Turón (Mieres) you can find out. You'll have a great time celebrating Santa Bárbara around a table where pot is king. The mining areas of Asturias have a great festive and gastronomic tradition, and pote is the typical stew to replenish your strength and calories while enjoying the true flavour of the local produce: beans, cabbage, potatoes and gochu (pork) compangu (side dish).

From the 1st to the 9th of December, the "Jornadas del Pote de Turón" are already a classic in the calendar of autumn festivals that will delight all your senses!

Blimea or the charm of Stuffed Peppers

Have you ever tasted stuffed peppers? Well, if you dare to try them, you should know that in Blimea (San Martín del Rey Aurelio) they cook them to perfection, and that it is one of the places where there is the greatest tradition of cooking this exquisite dish which, together with turnips and onions, completes the great autumn gastronomic trio of the Asturian mining basins.

Every 8th December you will have a date with table and tablecloth in Blimea, the true paradise of stuffed peppers!