The XXXV Apple Festival will take place in the year 2025, as it is held intermittently in odd-numbered years, It will be from October 9 to 13It is a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest.
THURSDAY 9
[1] WORKERS' ATHENAEUM · TECHNICAL CONFERENCES ON THE APPLE SECTOR (SERIDA)
· 09:45 a.m. Presentation of the Conference.
· 10:00 a.m. "Creating a data-sharing space as a tool to improve the sustainability and profitability of cider apple cultivation in Asturias" by Enrique Dapena de la Fuente. Head of the Fruit Growing Program at SERIDA.
· 11:00 a.m. Coffee break.
· 11:30 a.m. "Rodents that damage apple trees. Control methods." Aitor Somoano García. Researcher at the SERIDA Fruit Growing Program.
· 12:30 p.m. Travel to the cider apple orchard.
· 13:00 p.m. Visit to the SERIDA semi-intensive cider apple plantation and demonstration of trapping for rodent control.
· 14:00 PM. End of the day.
[2] RIERA THEATRE
· 19:00 p.m. Presentation of the work "HISTORY OF THE CIDER CULTURE OF VILLAVICIOSA AND THE APPLE FESTIVAL" (a project of the Villaviciosa City Council and the University of Oviedo) by Professor Dr. Luis Benito García Alvarez of the University of Oviedo, director of the Cider Chair and driving force behind the declaration of Asturian Cider Culture as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
VIERNES 10
[1] RIERA THEATRE / VILLAVICIOSA CITY COUNCIL
· 17:00 p.m. Appointment ceremony and presentation of the titles of adopted sons of Villaviciosa (posthumously) to Mr. Sergio Alvarez-Requejo Morán, Mr. Miguel Palacios Valderrama, and Mr. Esteban Díaz Campillo, as founders of the Apple Festival, and recognition of the first Organizing Committee of the 1960 Festival.
[2] BALLINA PARK
· 18:00 p.m. Unveiling of the commemorative sculpture commemorating the declaration of Asturian Cider Culture as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and in tribute to the founders of the Apple Festival and the first Organizing Committee, in Ballina Park in Villaviciosa. This work is by sculptor Pablo Maojo (along with the sculpture "Exaltation of the Apple" in tribute to José Cardín Fernández).
[3] TOWN HALL SQUARE (Riera Theater in case of rain)
· 19: 00 hours. OPENING CEREMONY AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2025 APPLE FESTIVAL, with the presence of the Queens and Kings of the Festival, led by the PROFESSOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OVIEDO, DR. LUIS BENITO GARCÍA ALVAREZ, DIRECTOR OF THE CIDER CHAIR, AND PROMOTER OF THE DECLARATION OF THE ASTURIAN CIDER CULTURE AS INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY BY UNESCO.
Musical performances with the participation of the Villaviciosa-El Gaitero Bagpipe Band.
FESTIVE VENUE (parking next to Mercadona). Maximino Miyar Street.
20:00 PM Musical performance.
22:30 p.m. DJ VAS BAILAR followed by ORQUESTA FINISTERRE (Galicia).
SATURDAY 11
[1] SUPPLY MARKET (Balbín Busto street)
· 11:00 a.m. Opening of the 37th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition.
· 12:00 to 13:30 p.m. Glass of charity cider: tasting of other natural ciders. Filtered and sparkling ciders, both with PDO certification. Price per glass: €5. Fundraising for the Villaviciosa Archpriestal Caritas initiatives. El Gaitero Cider, Mayador Cider, Cortina Cider, El Gobernador Cider, and Castañon Cider Press.
· 6:00 p.m. Guided tour of the 37th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition.
· 18:00 PM to 20:00 PM. “Villaviciosa in Paxu Xiroscópicu: History and Pumares, an aerial journey for the senses in an immersive 360º VR video.” Free admission until full capacity.
[2] ACTIVITY TENT (C/ Mercado, next to Plaza de Abastos)
· 12:00 to 13:00 PM. Apple tasting organized by SERIDA.
· 13:30 p.m. Tasting of Asturian and international ciders (Hesse-Germany, Normandy, Tyrol-Italy, Ireland, and Villaviciosa). Led by Eduardo Vazquez Coto (Viticulture and Oenology Specialist). Maximum capacity: 25 people. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. 98 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org.
· 17:00 PM Cooking workshop for children with Natalia Martinez from Masterchef. Maximum capacity: 15 children. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. 985 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org.
7:00 p.m. Natural Table Ciders from the Cider Region. Explanation of the production process and tasting of natural table ciders made in the Cider Region. Taught by Juan Luis Garcia, Sommelier at Casa Farpón Asador. World Champion of the IV Copa Jerez, Best Sommelier at the International Wine Challenger 2019, and Best Sommelier of the Year 2020. Maximum capacity 25 people. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. +34 98 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org
[3] APPLE MARKET (local products, organic products, Foods of Paradise, and other products protected by PGIs and DOPs, Crafts of Asturias). Location: Balbín Busto Street. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
[4] AUTUMN MARKET (crafts and agri-food) Location: C/ Ayuntamiento. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
· 12:00-13:00 PM and 17:00-18:00 PM. “Cider Puzzles” taught by AMISIL (Art for Hands Association). Free admission until full capacity.
[5] TOWN HALL SQUARE
· 11:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Children's workshop: "Cider Path" table game (capacity limits set by the organizer).
· 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children's workshop "Magaya Tic-Tac-Toe" taught by Mondo Manzana. Maximum capacity: 20 children. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. 985 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org
· 12:30 to 13:30 p.m. Workshop "Mayando se entender la gente." Free admission until full capacity.
· 12:00 to 14:00. A space for the whole family. Traditional wooden games. Open to the public.
· 17:00 p.m. Blessing of the first apple must and offering to the Portalina with the Salve del Portal dance, directed by Ana María González and musically directed by José Antonio Fernández. The dance will be sung by the parish choir and the Capilla de la Torre Choir, accompanied by the Villaviciosa Music Band and the participation of the Villaviciosa-El Gaitero Bagpipe Band.
[6] STREETS OF VILLAVICIOSA
18:30 p.m. Parade and Float Competition, accompanied by folk and musical groups from the Apple Festival. (Route: Municipal Sports Center and Victor García del Concha and Marqués de Villaviciosa Streets, Town Hall Square, and Cervantes Streets.)
Float competition prizes (sponsored by Construcciones DICAR and Cafés OQUENDO).
1st. €1.000 and trophy / 2nd. €800 and trophy / 3rd. €500 and trophy. Other participants: €300 per diem.
[7] TOWN HALL SQUARE
· 20:00 PM. Float Competition Awards Ceremony and Open Air Party with DÚO SENSACIÓN.
FESTIVE VENUE (parking next to Mercadona). Maximino Miyar Street.
VERBENA, by: 22:30 pm DJ VAS BAILAR and then GRUPO TEKILA (Asturias).
DOMINGO 12
· IV “ENTREMANZANAS” SOLIDARITY POPULAR RACE in support of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (with the collaboration of commercial establishments, Acosevi and the El Gaitero Athletics Club Villaviciosa).
· 11:00 a.m. Race starts at Barquerina Park. Finish at El Ancho (Caveda y Nava Square).
Awards ceremony will follow at the Town Hall Square with entertainment and activities for all audiences (flashmood, music, etc.).
[1] SUPPLY MARKET (Balbín Busto Street).
· 11:00 a.m. 37th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition.
· 11:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Charity cider tasting: cider and other apple-based beverages. Price per glass: €5. Benefiting the Villaviciosa Archpriestal Caritas. El Gaitero cider, Mayador cider, Cortina cider, El Gobernador cider, and Castañon cider mill.
· 1:30 p.m. AWARD CEREMONY FOR THE 37TH ASTURIAS TABLE APPLE AND CIDER APPLE EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE 17TH ASTURIAS BEST PLANTATIONS COMPETITION. Recognition and tribute to the career of the participating grower(s) in the Festival's Competition-Exhibition.
· 6:00 p.m. Guided tour of the 36th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition.
· 18:00 PM to 20:00 PM. “Villaviciosa in Paxu Xiroscópicu: History and Pumares, an aerial journey for the senses in an immersive 360º VR video.” Free admission until full capacity.
[2] ACTIVITY TENT (C/ Mercado).
· 11:00 to 11:30 and 11:30 to 12:00. Children's workshop "Decorating our Festival Tote Bag." Maximum capacity: 15 children per session. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. 985 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org.
19:00 p.m. Ice ciders from Villaviciosa. Explanation of the production process and tasting of the four ice ciders produced in Villaviciosa. Taught by: Tano Collada, winemaker at Valle, Ballina y Fernandez SA. Maximum capacity: 25 people. Prior registration is required at the Villaviciosa Tourist Office (Tel. +4 98 891 759) or by email at talleresinfantiles@ayto-villaviciosa.org.
[3] APPLE MARKET (local products, organic products, Foods of Paradise, and other products protected by PGIs and DOPs, Crafts of Asturias). Location: Balbín Busto Street. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
[4] AUTUMN MARKET (crafts and agri-food) Location: C/ Ayuntamiento. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
· 12:00-13:00 PM and 17:00-18:00 PM. “Cider Puzzles” taught by AMISIL (Art for Hands Association). Free admission until full capacity.
[5] TOWN HALL SQUARE
· 11:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. Children's workshop: "Cider Path" table game (capacity to be determined by the organizer).
· 12:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 20:00. Space for the whole family. Traditional wooden games. Open to the public.
· 17:00-18:00 PM. Workshop "Mayando se entender la gente." Free admission until full capacity.
[6] STREETS OF VILLAVICIOSA
· 13:00 p.m. Parade and musical entertainment by LOS GASCONES.
[7] TOWN HALL SQUARE
· 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Afternoon party with VERBENA, by GRUPO AROMA (Asturias).
FESTIVE VENUE (parking next to Mercadona). Maximino Miyar Street.
VERBENA
· 23:30 p.m. Entertainment with a disc jockey and the Nueva Banda Orchestra (Asturias).
LUNES 13
[1] SUPPLY MARKET (Balbín Busto Street)
· 11:00 a.m. The 37th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition continues.
· 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. DOP Cider from Asturias in 3D. With virtual reality headsets, for the enjoyment of all audiences. In a cider mill, you'll see the different stages of cider making, as well as the pouring of a virtual cider.
· 12:00 PM to 14:00 PM. “Villaviciosa in Paxu Xiroscópicu: History and Pumares, an aerial journey for the senses in an immersive 360º VR video.” Free admission until full capacity.
· 6:00 p.m. Guided tour of the 36th Asturian Table Apple and Cider Exhibition.
· 18:00 PM to 20:00 PM. “Villaviciosa in Paxu Xiroscópicu: History and Pumares, an aerial journey for the senses in an immersive 360º VR video.” Free admission until full capacity.
[2] ACTIVITY TENT (Market Street)
· 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Reception of cakes for the 2nd Best Apple Pie Competition, in the categories: Best Homemade Cake and Best Professional Cake (rules at www.villaviciosa.es)
· 2:00 PM. Awards Ceremony for the Best Apple Pie Competition at the 35th Apple Festival.
· 17:00 PM. Cooking demonstration and tasting "Apple and Bread: Circular Flavors: Magaya Flour" taught by Elena Fdez. de Panduru. Free admission until full capacity.
[3] AUTUMN MARKET (C/ Ayuntamiento)
· 12:00-13:00 and 17:00-18:00. “Cider Puzzles” taught by AMISIL (Art for Hands Association).
[4] TOWN HALL SQUARE
· 12:00 to 14:00. A space for the whole family. Traditional wooden games. Open to the public.
· 5:30 p.m. 36th Villaviciusa Wine Pourers Competition, a qualifying event for the 30th Official Wine Pourers Championship. Organized by: Asturias Wine Pourers Association.
[5] STREETS OF VILLAVICIOSA
· 12:00 p.m. Guided tour of the iconic spots in Villaviciosa, the "Capital de Manzanera." Location: Villaviciosa Tourist Office
