The Festival

The Sardine Festival, held every 1st August as part of the festivities of St. Félix, patron saint of the fishing village, has become, over the years, the most important gastronomic festival of the Asturian summer

It is impossible to understand CANDÁS without this festival in honour of the sardine. The town is transformed for a day as it welcomes thousands of visitors to celebrate this delicacy, the emblem of this canning capital

Originating in 1970 in the port, the festival is now held on the St. Antonio promenade, a setting of great beauty that every year becomes the stage for the largest gastronomic tasting event in Asturias, with sardines as the main attraction. An event that has achieved a national and international dimension, with coverage in The New York Times and on the BBC.

More than 5,000 kilos of sardines

The number of visitors has increased significantly in recent years. Although there are no official figures given the open nature of the festival, its growth can be seen in the quantity of sardines sold; a figure that increases year after year

The popular tasting event, which in recent editions has exceeded 5 tons of sardines, is undoubtedly the main element of the festival, and with the added value of the participation of the local restaurants, which, on these days, open stalls equipped with large griddles in the St. Antonio area.

In parallel, there is a gastronomic competition which awards the Gold, Silver and Bronze Sardines to the participating establishments. These prizes are awarded by a rotating jury made up of professionals of national and international renown.  

Community participation

The Town Council of Carreño coordinates the Sardine Festival. However, it would not be possible without the collaboration of the local associations and entities: the Peñas Marineras (Maritime Clubs), the San Félix de CANDÁS Traditional Dance Group, the CANDÁS Music Band, the CANDÁS Pipe Band and the Charanga Pepe el Chelo y sus Marchosos.

The chef, Pedro Morán, alma mater of the restaurant Casa Gerardo (Prendes), is the master of the gastronomic competition, contributing his wisdom and attracting renowned colleagues to CANDÁS.

The local community as a whole, as well as summer visitors, contribute to the colour and atmosphere of the festival. It is a tradition to dress up in traditional seafaring costumes and go to the St. Antonio promenade, where, in addition to eating sardines, people improvise seafaring songs and traditional dances.

Key points of the Sardine Festival

• Every 1 August. It has been held continuously since 1970, coinciding with the day of St. Félix, the patron saint of the town of CANDÁS.
• Prao de San Antonio (St. Antonio Meadows). Since the year 2000, the festival has been held on the St. Antonio seafront promenade, with spectacular views of the coast of Carreño and Gozón.
• More than 5 tonnes of sardines. Popular open-air tasting at the stalls of local restaurants with more than 5,000 kilos of sardines.
• Better to use your hands. Tradition dictates that you eat the excellent sardines in the open air using nothing but your own hands.
• Gastronomic competition. Prizes for the best sardines (Gold, Silver and Bronze Sardines) were awarded by a renowned jury under the supervision of Chef Pedro Morán.
• Traditional seafaring costume. It is customary to dress up in seafaring attire to enjoy a festive day packed with musical and cultural activities.