Fiestas de San Juan o de la Madre de Dios en Soria

Introduction and local significance

Las Fiestas de San Juan or de la Madre de Dios in Soria are celebrated from 24 to 29 June 2026 in the municipality of Soria, located in the autonomous community of Castile and León. This patronal festival, classified as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, completely transforms the city during the month of June with a notable influx of visitors from various places. Official events bring together thousands of people around a programme that combines religious devotion, historical heritage and traditional bullfighting festivities. The event stands out for its deep popular roots and for maintaining secular rituals that are repeated with millimetric precision year after year, setting the pulse of the town.

Historical origins and tradition

The festivals have their origin in the celebration, in ancient times, of the summer solstice, revolving around the bull, wine and fire. Some would like to identify a mention in the Fuero de Soria of 1110 with the celebration of the festivities, although that historical reference properly alluded to the celebrations of Santa María. This festive event was officially declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 1968. Subsequently, by Order of 16 May 2001 of the Junta of Castile and León, the bullfighting festivities linked to the celebration in the city were declared a Traditional Bullfighting Spectacle. The organizational structure is based on the division of the town into twelve Cuadrillas, each named after a saint and headed by the Jurados, key figures in neighborhood management. In the cultural and aesthetic plane, the traditional female costume includes the characteristic traje de piñorra (traditional female dress), while the musical background is provided by a repertoire of lyrics and melodies called sanjuaneras. The current programme also incorporated the popular Wednesday El Pregón in 1956, consolidating the sequence of festive days that define the local calendar today.

Programme and main events

The official programme of Las Fiestas de San Juan or de la Madre de Dios in Soria covers various events spread between the months of May and June. The main events of this edition are structured as follows:

• 3 May: Catapán, celebrated in the premises of each cuadrilla.
• 30 May: Desencajonamiento, carried out in Monte Valonsadero.
• 6 June: Lavalenguas, also in Monte Valonsadero.
• 14 June: La Compra, which takes place in Monte Valonsadero.
• 24 June: Miércoles El Pregón, officially celebrated in Plaza Mayor.
• 25 June: Jueves La Saca, with transfer from Valonsadero to Soria.
• 26 June: Viernes de Toros, which takes place in the San Benito bullring.
• 27 June: Sábado Agés, distributed through the different neighborhoods and cuadrillas.
• 28 June: Domingo de Calderas, with main events in Plaza Mayor and La Dehesa or Alameda de Cervantes.
• 29 June: Lunes de Bailas, located in Pradera de San Polo next to Ermita de la Blanca.

Traditional festival food

Gastronomy during the festivals is based on products and recipes very representative of the area and the province of Soria. Among the most outstanding dishes is caldera, a traditional bull meat stew with vegetables that was formerly distributed among neighbors and the most needy. Another essential product to regain strength between events are torreznos sorianos (crispy pork belly strips), highly valued for their traditional preparation and crispy texture. In the section of traditional sweets and desserts, Mantequilla de Soria DOP (butter with protected designation of origin), produced in the region with its distinctive protected designation of origin, yemas de Almazán (egg yolk sweets) and migas dulces (sweet breadcrumbs) stand out, putting the culinary finishing touch to the festive days.

Visitor guide and where to stay

Soria capital is reached via the A-15 or Duero highway from Madrid and Pamplona, as well as by the N-122 and N-111 national roads that connect with the main road axes. There are also regular bus services with direct connections from Madrid, specifically from the Avenida de América station, in addition to operational lines from Zaragoza, Pamplona and Valladolid. During the main week of Las Fiestas de San Juan or de la Madre de Dios in Soria, the historic center is completely pedestrianized to facilitate the transit of attendees. For those traveling by private vehicle, the City Council enables park-and-ride parking lots in key locations such as Avenida de Valladolid, Avenida de Mariano Vicén and the surroundings of the Los Pajaritos stadium. On Thursday of La Saca, the center and access to Valonsadero become congested at dawn, so it is advisable to get up early and walk up to avoid traffic jams. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance for the dates of the festival, either in establishments in the municipality itself or in nearby towns, which makes it easy to follow the nocturnal events and efficiently organize travel during the week.