Asturias Day
When is it celebrated
Asturias Day is celebrated every year on 8 September. It is a fixed date established by the Principality Law 5/1984 and coincides with the festival of Our Lady of Covadonga; Public activities can begin during the days before.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
It is the holiday of the autonomous community and normally appears as a paid non-working day and cannot be recovered throughout Asturias. The state list of public holidays for 2026 includes Tuesday, 8 September as an autonomous community holiday in the Principality; It is advisable to check each annual calendar because the labour declaration is published for a specific year.
Origin and geographical link
It is an autonomous celebration linked exclusively to the Principality of Asturias. Law 5/1984 declared 8 September Asturias Day as a regional holiday and established that the institutional commemoration be celebrated in the locality determined by the Government Council, so its festive venue can rotate between councils.
Regular events
The programme combines institutional events—message from the president, presentation of Medals of Asturias and other recognitions—with cultural and family proposals. Depending on the venue and the year, there may be traditional markets, music, street theater, games, samples of artisan crafts, exhibitions of native breeds, gastronomy, visits and activities in museums or heritage spaces.
Usual duration of events
The official day is 8 September, but the cultural programme usually extends for several days around that date. For example, the 2024 public programming in Los Oscos took place on 6 September, 7 and 8; The exact duration, times and reservations required depend on the edition.
Traditions and history
Contemporary institutionalization began in the pre-autonomous stage and was established by Law 5/1984, of 28 June. Since then, the choice of a locality for festive events and public recognition of outstanding people and institutions has been maintained; The date shares a calendar with the religious celebration of the Virgin of Covadonga, but Asturias Day has its own civic and autonomous nature.
Where is it celebrated
It is commemorated throughout the Principality. The official events and central programming take place in the town or region chosen for each edition, while the presentation of distinctions and other institutional events can also be held in Oviedo/Uviéu. It is advisable to consult the annual programme to find out the specific venues.
Who participates
The Government of the Principality and the host councils promote the events, with the participation of authorities, distinguished people and entities, artists, artisans, cultural associations, museum staff and local groups. The festive programming is aimed at Asturian citizens and visitors, and many institutional and cultural activities are publicly accessible.