Day of the Americas in Asturias 2026
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, Oviedo celebrates a new edition of the Day of the Americas in Asturias, one of the largest and most distinctive events of the San Mateo festivities. This year marks the 76th edition and the event retains its status as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
Scheduled parade time: 5:00 pm
Location: streets in central Oviedo
Admission: free for standing spectators; front-row seats are sold separately
Approximate duration: several hours, depending on the progress of the parade.
📅 When
19 September 2026. The celebration takes place on this date every year as part of San Mateo.
🕔 Time
The published start time for the 2026 parade is 5:00 pm.
🎉 What you will see
Floats, folk groups, bands, bagpipers, cultural associations and representatives from Asturias and the Americas.
👥 Participation
Official tourism sources generally put participation at around 2,000 people.
History of the Day of the Americas in Asturias
The Day of the Americas in Asturias was created in 1950 as a tribute to the thousands of Asturians who emigrated to the Americas and to the countries that welcomed them. The initiative is closely linked to the Asturian cartoonist Alfonso Iglesias, creator of such popular characters as Pinón and Telva.
For decades, the parade has symbolised the two-way journey between Asturias and the Americas. This is reflected in the music, dances, returning emigrants known as indianos, emigrant associations, Asturian centres, allegorical floats and the traditional “haigas”, the large American cars that some returning emigrants brought back with them to Asturias.
The festival evolved into one of the main events of San Mateo and a celebration of the cultural ties between Asturias and numerous countries in the Americas, while also including representatives from Asturian municipalities and associations.
Day of the Americas in Asturias, 2014 edition. Photograph: Adolfobrigido / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Route of the Day of the Americas 2026
Approximate route: Independencia → Uría → Marqués de Santa Cruz → Santa Susana → Avenida de Galicia → Plaza de América → Marqués de Teverga → Asturias. The map is for information purposes and is intended to make the general route easier to locate.
Uría Street is one of the most popular places to watch the parade, although it is also usually one of the most crowded areas. If you would prefer a little more space, it may be better to choose a later section of the route, always respecting road closures and safety instructions.
Seats for watching the parade
For those who prefer to watch the parade seated, chairs can be purchased in advance at some of the most popular points along the route, especially on Uría Street and in Plaza de la Escandalera.
The chairs offer a front-row view of the parade in one of the most central and lively areas of the Day of the Americas in Asturias.
Tips for watching the parade
- Arrive early, especially if you want a place on Uría Street or in Plaza de América.
- Bear in mind that there will be road closures and diversions to public transport.
- If you are attending with children or older people, consider booking a chair when sales open.
- Do not cross between floats or participating groups, and follow the instructions of the Local Police and event organisers.
- Check the weather before setting out: much of the waiting and the parade itself take place outdoors.