It’s getting closer! During the month of September, the city of Zaragoza is preparing and decorating to be ready for its most special days of the year, the impressive Fiestas del Pilar (also known as “los Pilares”), which are celebrated around the date of October 12, the great day of the Pilar.
If you are planning to visit our city during those days (and if not, we encourage you to do it, you have to experience the Pilares at least once in your life!), in this article we detail the 15 things you should do during the Fiestas to make the most of them. Are you ready?
The 15 things you must do during the Fiestas del Pilar
15 activities, places or events that you must visit during the Fiestas of Zaragoza. Take a breath of fresh air!
1. Leave your luggage in the lockers of Megalockers
Let’s start at the beginning. You have arrived in Zaragoza full of energy, eager to have fun … and also of clothes and other items to carry. Well, none of that, leave your luggage in the luggage storage in Zaragoza center of Megalockers (Manifestación street 24), and start to enjoy as it should. Ok, now we can continue 😉
2. Attend the “Pregón” at the beginning of the Fiestas
The Fiestas del Pilar begin with the rocket launched during the opening speech (“Pregón”), held on the balcony of the Town Hall of our city in a Plaza del Pilar absolutely packed with people looking forward to a few days of partying and revelry. A prominent personality related to Aragon is in charge of giving the Pregón before the beginning of the Fiestas every year. There is no better way to start.
3. Visiting the Basilica del Pilar
Coming to Zaragoza and not entering the majestic Basilica del Pilar is like stuffing yourself with salads in a McDonald’s. Yes, you can do it, but it makes no sense. A huge temple that leaves you speechless wherever you look, with the Virgen del Pilar (our “Pilarica”) adorned with her most special mantle presiding over the place.
4. Enjoying the rich Aragonese gastronomy
During the Fiestas del Pilar you will find numerous tents and enclosures where you can enjoy the fabulous Aragonese gastronomy. Please, don’t leave Zaragoza without having tried a good Aragonese ternasco sandwich!
5. Attending the Oktoberfest in Zaragoza
During the Fiestas del Pilar you have two spaces (one in the Parque de Atracciones and the other in the Recinto Ferial de Valdespartera), which perfectly recreate the mythical German Oktoberfest. Liters and liters of beer with German music for hop lovers.
6. Enjoying the Fairs
In the aforementioned Valdespartera Fairgrounds you have a space with dozens of attractions and food stalls to have fun with friends, family, children… attractions for all tastes in an extraordinary festive atmosphere.
7. Go to the heifers (“vaquillas”)
Every morning of the Fiestas del Pilar take place in the Plaza de Toros of Zaragoza the famous “vaquillas”. A very funny show enlivened with charanga music to see the brave who dare to run in front of the heifers. Of course, you will have to get up early (or late) enough, as they start at 08:00 in the morning.
8. Enjoy concerts with the best artists
Music has a very prominent place during the Fiestas del Pilar, with national and international artists that every year celebrate their concerts in Zaragoza during these days. Whatever your favorite genre of music, you will have a musical space reserved for you.
9. Tapas in “el Tubo
Next to the Plaza del Pilar (and Megalockers’ luggage lockers in Zaragoza), you will find the Tubo, the great tapas area of the city. Although you can be sure that it will be “full of people”, you can not miss a walk through its streets and enjoy a good vermouth in one of its bars.
10. Run in front of the Gigantes y Cabezudos
Well, if you are an adult, maybe you can let the children run and you can go along with the troupe on the side. Each day takes place in a different neighborhood of Zaragoza, and if you have little ones it will certainly be their favorite activity of all the Fiestas!
11. Enjoy the street shows and street markets
In the Fiestas del Pilar you can enjoy spending very little, as they are eminently popular festivities where almost everything happens in the street. Artists, shows, markets … you just have to go out and walk the streets of Zaragoza and let yourself go.
The 4 biggest events of the Fiestas del Pilar
We finish the list with the 4 events that are the soul of the Fiestas, and that, if you have the chance, we recommend you not to miss:
12. Attend the Ofrenda de Flores
The Ofrenda de Flores is the great event of the Fiestas of Zaragoza. On October 12, from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, thousands and thousands of offerers coming not only from Zaragoza and Aragon, but from all over the world, make their floral offering to form a giant mantle on which stands the Virgen del Pilar in the middle of the Plaza that bears his name. It is difficult to describe in words the beauty of what happens there.
13. Attending the Ofrenda de Frutos
Although it is considered “the little sister” of the Ofrendas, it is a very beautiful, colorful and enriching event. Groups of people from all cultures and dressed in their regional costumes, make another Ofrenda, this time of typical products from their place of origin, to the Virgen del Pilar. In addition, all the food collected is donated to organizations that help the city’s poor.
14. See the Rosario de Cristal
The Crystal Rosary of Zaragoza is a religious procession with pedestals of “mysteries” and “lanterns” made of crystal, which form true works of art. These pieces, many of them internally illuminated, represent religious scenes of the Catholic faith, and are carried through the streets of the historic center of Zaragoza, illuminating the night.
15. End of the Fiestas with fireworks and Canto a la Libertad (Song of Freedom)
The Fiestas end with two events that give you goose bumps. On the one hand, the majestic fireworks that can be seen throughout the city, but whose most special place is in the Ebro Bridges, next to the Basilica del Pilar.
And on the other hand, the a capella singing by thousands of people who gather in the Plaza del Pilar of the Canto a la Libertad, a song by Jose Antonio Labordeta considered the unofficial anthem of Aragon. Impossible not to get excited even if you are not from here.
We hope that these 15 events, activities and places have served as enough reasons to come and visit us during the Fiestas del Pilar. Get rid of all your luggage in Megalockers and enjoy the best festivities in Spain!
