Guide to Celebrating Saint James’ Day in Santiago de Compostela
Next Thursday, 25 July, a very special celebration known as Saint James’ Day will take place. This event is significant because we’re marking its 122nd edition, meaning it has been taking place for more than a century, making it a deeply rooted tradition in the local culture and community.
In the days leading up to the festivity, many people who have walked the Camino de Santiago, or who are in the final stages of their pilgrimage, arrive in the city of Santiago de Compostela. They come to enjoy and take part in the most important day dedicated to Saint James the Apostle. To help you make the most of this experience, we’ve put together a short guide with useful information so you can enjoy this day to the fullest. In this guide, you’ll find all the opening hours of the impressive Santiago Cathedral, as well as the times of the traditional Pilgrim’s Mass. We also include information on the Correos (post office) branches in Santiago, the Pilgrim’s Office, and of course we can’t forget the spectacular, traditional Fuegos del Apostol (Apostle’s Fireworks), a crucial part of the celebration.
So, are you ready? We wish you a happy Saint James’ Day!
Pilgrim’s Mass, 25 July 2024
On this very special date, 25 July, the majestic Santiago Cathedral will host a total of five Pilgrim’s Masses. These masses will be held at the high altar of the cathedral at 1pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7.30pm. In addition, the Solemn Mass and National Offering will be celebrated at 10.30am, led by the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, the Most Reverend Francisco Jose Prieto Fernandez. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with the spirituality that accompanies so many pilgrims throughout their journey.
Santiago Cathedral Opening Hours, 25 July 2024
Santiago Cathedral is open every day of the week from 7am to 8.30pm. However, it’s important to note that during the Pilgrim’s Masses, tourist visits to the cathedral won’t be permitted. This is to respect the importance of the ceremonies for all those attending and to keep order on such a busy day.
Collecting the Compostela, 25 July 2024
If you’re looking to collect your Compostela, on 25 July you can do so at the Pilgrim’s Office, located at Rua Carretas, number 33. Collection hours for the Compostela that day will be from 9am to 7pm. Remember that to get your slot, you’ll need to scan the QR code you’ll find at the entrance to the Pilgrim’s Office. Once you’ve scanned the code, you’ll receive information about your turn and the approximate time you’ll be able to go in to collect your Compostela. Don’t forget to complete the online pre-registration, available on the Pilgrim’s Office website. Make sure to fill in all the required details to make collecting your Compostela easier.
Pilgrim Assistance at Correos, 25 July 2024
Correos has also set up a pilgrim assistance point at its branch on Rua do Franco, number 4. This spot is just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Praza do Obradoiro. Opening hours on 25 July, as well as throughout the week, will be from 8.30am to 8.30pm. At this assistance point, you can leave your backpack, bike or walking poles in left luggage while you enjoy your visit to the Cathedral, attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and stroll around the city. You can also send your luggage or bike back to your home address thanks to the Paq Peregrino and Paq Bicicleta services. If you’d like to take home a special souvenir from the Camino or the city.
Fuegos del Apostol Outside the Obradoiro
One of the biggest draws of the 25 July celebration is, without doubt, the traditional Fuegos del Apostol (Apostle’s Fireworks). This firework display is held the night before, on 24 July, and draws large crowds every year. In the past, only a select group of people could access the Praza do Obradoiro to enjoy this impressive pyrotechnic show. However, the changes and restrictions brought on by the arrival of Covid-19 in 2020, along with the risk of damage to the roofs of the Pazo de Raxoi, led the City Council to make an unusual decision in 2022: the Fuegos del Apostol would no longer be launched from Praza do Obradoiro.
This year, the fireworks will be visible from several points around the city. They will be launched from the Alameda, the Parque de Carlomagno in Fontinas, and the Cidade da Cultura de Galicia. This will let more people enjoy the show while avoiding overcrowding among spectators. The display will begin at 11.30pm and last at least 17 minutes, offering an impressive visual spectacle.
Enjoy Santiago de Compostela
25 July is also a unique date to fully enjoy the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. The arrival of pilgrims intertwines with the life of the local community, which celebrates its most important festival on this day. So it’s the perfect time to discover the city’s rich cultural heritage, sample its delicious cuisine, or lose yourself in the Jacobean history present in every corner and stone of this World Heritage city.
To make sure you don’t miss a thing during your visit, we’ve put together a list of ten must-do activities for exploring Santiago in a day. You can choose to complete this list in a single day, or take all the time you like to explore everything at your own pace.
And if you’re not in Santiago…
For all the pilgrims who, for whatever reason, aren’t in Santiago this time around, you still have the chance to celebrate 25 July from wherever you are. You could cook up a recipe that brings back memories of the Camino de Santiago, choose to read a book related to the route, or even enjoy a film that transports you back to your pilgrimage experience.
To make this easier, Correos Market has created a collection dedicated exclusively to the Camino de Santiago, where you’ll find a range of items to help you mark this meaningful day. Be sure to check out this special collection.
From Camino Frances, we hope you make the most of your Camino de Santiago experience, and we’d like to wish pilgrims all over the world a happy Saint James’ Day.
