Vilanova de Arousa consolidates the success of its gastronomic and cultural summer with the 32nd edition of the Festa do Mexillón e do Berberecho. After four intense days of celebrations, held from 6 to 9 August, the Vilanova de Arousa Town Council has described the latest edition of the event as an “overwhelming success”. It was a particularly significant edition for the municipality, as it was the first held following its official designation as a National Tourist Interest Festival.
The municipal government team, led by Mayor Gonzalo Durán and accompanied by councillors Javier Tourís, Eliana Vidal and Nuria Morgade, presented a very positive balance that confirms the unstoppable growth of an event that has already established itself among Galicia’s leading gastronomic events.
More than 7,500 kilos of shellfish and 12,000 diners
If there is one figure that demonstrates the excellent momentum behind the festival, it is undoubtedly the attendance recorded at the food tent.
According to figures presented by Vilanova de Arousa Town Council, more than 12,000 people visited the venue over the four days of the event to sample the finest preparations featuring these prized products from the estuary. This figure comfortably exceeds attendance recorded at previous editions of the Festa do Mexillón e do Berberecho.
In total, almost 7,550 kg of shellfish were consumed, including around 1,200 kg of mussels and 600 kg of cockles, with an average of more than 3,000 diners per day during the nearly eight hours each day that the food service was open.
Strong public response to the cultural and commercial programme
The cultural and commercial programme was another key factor behind the festival’s success. Culture Councillor Javier Tourís highlighted the public’s enthusiasm for the performances in the Sonatas de Verán 2026 series: “The Panorama concert was incredible, Treixadura did not disappoint and Roi Casal is already a classic in the programme.” The line-up was completed by the lively performances of Take it Easy and Mekanika Rolling Band during the daytime sessions.
This musical success was complemented by the huge turnout for the maritime procession in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which brought together more than 50 boats on the estuary, as well as the steady flow of visitors to the 22nd Opportunity Fair organised by the “Vilanova Centro” association, which featured more than 20 local businesses selling their products at clearance prices on Avenida do Recheo.
Towards international recognition
In light of these results, Vilanova Mayor Gonzalo Durán highlighted the qualitative leap experienced by the town: “We are getting closer and closer to the levels of visibility that Cambados achieves during Albariño,” he said, placing the Vilanova celebration “on an equal footing” with leading events such as the O Grove Seafood Festival. With the festival firmly established in the “first division”, the Town Council has already set its next goal: achieving designation as an International Tourist Interest Festival.
A programme packed with gastronomy, music and tradition
This 32nd edition offered a wide-ranging programme for all audiences. The main attraction was the food tent, where visitors could sample the local produce, complemented by the major evening concerts by Panorama, Treixadura and Roi Casal, the lively daytime sessions featuring Take it Easy and Mekanika Rolling Band, the traditional and hugely popular maritime procession in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and the 22nd Opportunity Fair organised by local businesses.