What to do in Santiago in August

August carries on July's good weather and brings a city full of tourists and pilgrims — though, contrary to what is usually assumed, it is not the month with the most Camino arrivals: in 2025 the Pilgrim's Office issued 77,095 Compostelas in August, behind September (81,533) and May (78,648). The local answer is Feito a Man, a free street festival with more than thirty music and arts events spread across the squares of the Cidade Vella.

If the plan is to walk the Camino at an unhurried pace, August is not the best month for it — but neither are May or September, which carry even more people: June and the second half of October combine good weather with somewhat fewer walkers. If you come anyway, book well ahead, since July and August are the most expensive season of the year, and consider slipping away for a day to Fisterra or the Rías Baixas to drop the pace.

What happens in August

Feito a Man (August). A free street festival of music and the arts, with more than thirty events in the Praza de Feixóo, Rúa de Xelmírez, the Praza da Quintana and San Paio de Antealtares.

Assumption of the Virgin (15 August). A public holiday and one of the twelve solemnities with the botafumeiro guaranteed: the chapter procession and the botafumeiro at 11:40 in the cathedral, followed by solemn mass led by the Archbishop.

Things to do in August

• Feito a Man, the free festival that fills the old town's squares with concerts
• It is one of the year's busiest months for pilgrims: the Obradoiro runs at another rhythm
• Escape the bustle with a day trip to Fisterra or the Rías Baixas
• Book well ahead: July and August are the most expensive season of the year

For the full calendar of festivals and events, see what’s on in Santiago.