The dates for the celebration vary, as the festival takes place 40 days after Easter. It is usually celebrated on the last weekend of May.
Few events like this one allow you to truly feel the weight of the Asturian countryside in such a comprehensive array of rural activities. At this fair, you can still witness the handshakes that seal livestock deals. The Llosa fairgrounds offer a faithful representation of all the products originating from Asturian villages. Cheeses: Gamoneu, Cabrales, Beyos, Casín, and others; crafts: woodturning, regional costumes, jet, tin, leather, basketry, wood carving, ceramics, honey, pastries, liqueurs, preserves, sausages, beans, cider… Dozens of ethnographic exhibitions, parades, bagpipers, folk groups, Asturian mythology… Absolutely everything you might encounter traveling through the diverse Asturias that make up the Principality's geography.
2026 Ascension Fair
From the 15th to the 17th of… Read more
The Ascension is a vibrant, colorful event, brimming with aromas, gastronomy, and folklore. A unique pilgrimage that syncretizes the entire cultural spectrum of a community that lived primarily off the land. Indeed, well into the 18th century, Oviedo maintained a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding countryside, and although the landscape of that era would be unrecognizable to a contemporary observer, the Ascension serves to highlight those daily markets, when Oviedo, as the capital, ceded its urban spaces to the markets arriving from the surrounding villages.
For several years now, the livestock market has had a dedicated space at the Llanera Fairgrounds , attracting a high level of participation with over three thousand head of cattle. Among the Fair's highlights are the agricultural machinery exhibition and the traditional "Countryman and Countrywoman of the Year" award ceremony, which recognizes the achievements of men and women who have dedicated their lives to agriculture. Awards are also presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion and development of rural Asturias.
The festival has diversified to such an extent that there's something for everyone, for all generations, for those feeling nostalgic and for those more focused on the latest music on the fairground stages. The Mercau Astur , with dozens of stalls selling local produce, takes place in the Cathedral and Porlier squares. A lively folk parade winds through the city streets, attracting numerous groups from across the Principality. The Oviedo fair is also a great opportunity to see top folk music groups live, to hear masters of Asturian song, to enjoy displays of traditional sports, the cider-pouring competition, to attend the bullfights, or to indulge in the region's excellent cuisine.
The Ascension Festival, as a gastronomic event, boasts its own menu , which is also a highlight of Asturias' culinary calendar. The Ascension Festival, which also aims to celebrate spring, offers a menu that has become ubiquitous: seasonal vegetable stew, Oviedo-style braised beef, and a cherry cheesecake. Everywhere you go, you'll find the same menu, making you feel more connected to the other pilgrims, to all those who join you at this massive festival that runs from Friday to Sunday.
Recipe beef governed Oviedo style
Did you know…?
“Everyday” stewed meat was formerly called beef… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
