Explore 7 events and festivals in Palencia, Castile and León throughout 2026.
Las Candelas is Palencia's patronal feast in honour of the Virgen de la Calle, celebrated each February 2. The day combines solemn religious acts — the blessing of candles, a procession, and a Mass — with a lively programme of street performers, folk music, and a traditional market in Plaza Mayor.
The Carnival of Palencia fills the city with costume parades, street theatre, fantasy makeup stations, and family activities over several days in February. The festivities culminate in the traditional Entierro de la Sardina procession, a satirical burial ceremony marking the end of carnival, accompanied by fireworks.
The Jornadas Gastronómicas de la Montaña Palentina is a culinary event running from late March through May, during which participating restaurants across the northern Palencia highlands offer special weekend menus showcasing the region's mountain cuisine — roast meats, game, river trout, and local cheeses.
Easter Week in Palencia is a solemn and deeply traditional celebration featuring centuries-old processional sculptures and brotherhoods that have marched since the 16th century. The week culminates in the Rompimiento del Velo, a joyful explosion of rockets, bells, and the sharing of bread rolls, almonds, and lemonade marking the Resurrection.
Palencia Sonora is a popular indie and rock music festival held each June in the Parque del Sotillo, a green space in the heart of the city. The 2026 edition features Carolina Durante, Siloé, Ojete Calor, Xoel López, and others, combining live music with a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in one of Castile's most accessible summer festivals.
Día de la Provincia is an annual celebration organized by the Diputación de Palencia to recognize the municipalities of the province, with particular attention to small rural towns. Cultural performances, communal gatherings, and local music events are held across the comarca, reinforcing ties between the provincial capital and its surrounding villages.
The Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños is one of Spain's most prestigious cross-country running races, founded in 1980 and recognized by World Athletics as a Gold Label event. Held each December in Venta de Baños, it attracts elite athletes from across the globe and is one of the longest-running international cross-country events on the calendar.