Virgen de la Guía and Virgen de la Peña Festivals in Tordesillas
Tordesillas's main festivals combine devotion to its two patron saints with a pilgrimage, the distinctive Desfile de Faroles, peña music and the town's traditional bull runs.
Celebration date
The celebration begins on 8 September, the day of Virgen de la Guía. The main programme takes place around the second weekend of the month: Sunday honours Virgen de la Peña and the following Tuesday brings the Toro de la Vega event. In 2026, events are concentrated on the 8th and from 11 to 17 September, with preliminary activities from the 4th.
See the Tordesillas 2026 festival programme.
Where they take place
Events pass through the historic centre, with Plaza Mayor as their main meeting point. Santa María church hosts worship for Virgen de la Guía. The pilgrimage crosses the River Duero to the sanctuary of Virgen de la Peña on the far bank. Bull-related events link Prado de Zapardiel, the bridge and the bullring.
Devotion and pilgrimage
Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Peña is patron saint of the Villa y Tierra de Tordesillas. Residents, decorated carts and horses accompany the pilgrimage to her sanctuary. Virgen de la Guía, patron saint of the town, opens the festival calendar with Mass, procession and an opening address on 8 September.
The Desfile de Faroles
On Saturday night, the peñas parade around Tordesillas with their brass bands and lanterns. The tradition is linked to the old guard's patrol of the town walls. The day includes an exhibition, a children's parade, the main route and prizes for the lanterns.
Traditional bull runs
The Tordesillas bull runs are designated a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. They begin with the separation of the cattle at Corrales de Zapardiel. The country section crosses Pinar de La Vega and La Josa; runners on foot then accompany the cattle across the bridge and along the urban route to the bullring.
Events and participation
- Morning music, street parades, giants and big-head figures, brass bands, concerts and open-air dances.
- Mass and procession for Virgen de la Guía, the pilgrimage and worship for Virgen de la Peña.
- Lantern, fancy-dress and Manila-shawl parades, plus children's activities.
- Mixed and urban bull runs, bullring events and peña activities.