10 Things to Do in Oviedo in December

The city of Oviedo offers a variety of options for its residents and visitors to enjoy the upcoming festivities. From music, dance shows, traditional festivals, skiing and street entertainment to the amazing Christmas decorations that adorn more than three hundred streets of the Asturian capital, it is one of the best things to do in Oviedo in December and there are many ways to make the most of this festive season.

In this post you will find a top 10 things to see and do in Oviedo this December so you can make the most of your visit.

All year round you can take a tour of legends and mysteries, but in December this tour of Oviedo's hidden side has a special twist: Oviedo's Christmas stories.

The last month of the year brings magic to Oviedo, a city known for its rich history, culture and charm. It's a very cultural city, so it's no wonder it's famous for its incredible Christmas traditions.

By taking part in the mystical Christmas tour, you'll learn about some of the miraculous Christmas legends that happened in Oviedo, the spells, anecdotes and stories that took place hundreds of years ago and that tell the story of Oviedo's Christmas tradition.

If you like snowy landscapes, enjoy good Asturian gastronomy and are looking for a fun way to enjoy nature and spend the month of December, an excursion to Cangas de Onís and the Covadonga Lakes makes it easy.

An excursion in the area will take you to the lakes Ercina and Enol, the Lakes of Covadonga as well as to the Cave of the Virgin of Covadonga "La Cuevona", where you will find La Santina, patron saint of all Asturians. Then you move on to the adventure in Cangas de Onís.

Located in the heart of the Picos de Europa and in December the low temperatures allow you to enjoy the snowy landscape to appreciate the Asturian charm in all its splendour.

With a spectacular Roman bridge, spectacular scenery, delicious food and snow-capped mountains, this Asturian municipality is an ideal place to spend a few days in December surrounded by nature and culture.

In December, Oviedo dresses up and lights up its streets to awaken the city's Christmas spirit. The innovative lighting has become one of the main attractions of this Asturian land and you can't miss it!

The illumination features festive figures such as the huge luminous bear and the big Christmas tree that have been installed in the Town Hall square. Visitors can also enjoy the balls that dot the Plaza de Porlier for anyone to have their photo taken next to. The spectacular tunnel of light in Calle Pelayo and the now classic angel crosses in Calle Uría are real selfie spots, and almost seem to be designed for the best photos in the area!

Walk through the 320 streets of Oviedo that are illuminated throughout the city and rural areas of the council and take home your photographic souvenir.

It's a seasonal tradition and in Oviedo you'll find a range of interesting markets. In Calle Mendizábal, usually during the whole month of December there is a Christmas market from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. In Calle Eusebio González Abascal, there is also usually a Christmas market.

Another place not to be missed in the city is in Plaza La Escandalera, where the traditional Christmas market is organised with at least thirty shops and craft stalls offering a variety of products, all with a common denominator: to buy Christmas presents.

Finally, this list would not be complete without the traditional market in the Plaza de la Catedral, where a programme of special activities for children and adults completes the shopping experience.

This is one of the things to do in winter in Oviedo and with your visit in December you won't miss this seasonal event.

The "Amagüestu" is a traditional Asturian festival that takes place in Oviedo, which has been celebrated for centuries and is one of the most important festivals in Asturias. The streets, schools and squares are decorated to celebrate the traditional "amagüestu" in which chestnuts and sweet cider are distributed in a celebration with music and traditional games in the Plaza de la Catedral or in the neighbouring Plaza de Porlier.

The city centre itself also joins in the festivities, such as the "Oviedo redondo" in the Plaza Daoíz y Velarde. Find out about the annual programme of Amagüestu activities and take part in this Celtic tradition.

The exhibition of nativity scenes in Oviedo is an event not to be missed in December. It is an opportunity to see the city in a different way and get to know it better. In the Plaza de la Catedral, for example, there is a stately nativity scene, where the large-scale figures are placed in an Asturian Quintana.

Another popular nativity scene can be found in the historic centre of Oviedo, where the work is in Neapolitan style and brings together 240 figures to recreate the area. You can see from the Plaza de la Constitución, passing through the Plaza del Paraguas to the Plaza Corrada del Obispo in miniature. It is, without a doubt, the most spectacular nativity scene of all. And the work of the Asociación Belenista de Oviedo does not end there, in the Plaza Trascorrales the seafaring town is also represented with great attention to perspective and design.

To enjoy these handcrafted works you only have to go to the old quarter of Oviedo from the 3rd of December onwards. Visiting hours are usually from 11:00 - 14:30 and 16:00 - 21:00.

As Spain's flagship mining town, Oviedo could not leave out the patron saint of these workers: Santa Bárbara.

These patron saint festivities of the people of Oviedo begin every 4 December and last for a week, with honours, gastronomic tastings, dances, sporting events, processions, conferences and more. It is a great event where the coal towns and the city centre celebrate Santa Bárbara.

How to join the event? You can take part in the multicultural programme in the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium, the Santa Bárbara proclamation in the marquee in Jovellanos Park, the offerings in Mieres and Turón, take part in the Santa Bárbara Festival in Llanares or with the student groups that have even done a "flashmob" for the patron saint.

If you visit Oviedo in December, you will see that it is an ideal time to enjoy some of the city's specialities. The cold season is perfect for spoon dishes and December is the perfect time to try them. What are these dishes? They are basically spoon dishes -such as soups, creams and grains-, some of the great specialities of Oviedo's gastronomy.

Cabbage stew, a good Asturian bean stew or chestnut stew are very comforting and hearty meals for this time of year. And for dessert, stroll around the emblematic patisseries of the Asturian capital, such as the Confitería Rialto, or Casa Lupe and try some casadielles or homemade rice pudding, the perfect finishing touch!

The city of Oviedo is an ideal place to attend concerts and musical performances.

The streets of the city are lit up during Christmas and choirs take to the streets. Christmas carols can be heard everywhere and the theatres, such as the music school and municipal rondallas in the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium, present an extensive programme of activities.

In the same venue, the Choir of the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the musicians of the OSPA(Principality of Asturias Symphony Orchestra) offer their annual performance of Handel's oratorio "Messiah" in their traditional concert programme called "Europe sings Christmas".

On the other hand you can't miss the Calenda, a medieval tradition where "Las Pelayas" perform a Gregorian chant to announce the birth of Jesus in the Monasteryof San Pelay on24th December.

Going to the theatre to enjoy ballet on stage is one of the traditions of December and in Oviedo this Christmas treat also features seasonal classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake or The Snow Queen often performed by stars of international stature such as the Kiev Ballet.

You will be mesmerised by the beauty and grace of these dancers as they maintain the essence of the Christmas season with a feast for the senses through the sobriety of the choreography, the perfection of each and every one of their lines, the virtuosity of their soloists and the grandeur of the sets.

Discover the schedule of performances scheduled by the City Council and buy your tickets.

The Paseo del Bombé in Campo San Francisco welcomes the Christmas season with its 300 square metre ice rink for skating in the immediate vicinity of its impressive marquee full of children's attractions. It doesn't get any better than that.

The rink is usually available from the first week of December until the second week of January. Access to the facilities is usually cheap, starting from €6 per hour, and groups often enjoy discounts.

Bombé's skating rink is not just about fun and games. It also includes a host of activities for the whole family: children's shows, films, monologues and musicals. There will also be a Christmas Train that will travel around Campo San Francisco to the delight of the little ones.

Winter in Oviedo is long, with high humidity and winds. The average daily temperature ranges between 10°C and 12°C with the minimum recorded at 6°C.

Fortunately it rarely falls below 1°C, the perfect climate to enjoy the scenery while enjoying the seasonal chestnuts.

The last month of the year is low season in Oviedo. This Asturian city is well known for its plans to escape from Spain's busy centre and during this month the iconic natural haven offers tranquillity to visitors and locals alike.

Take the opportunity to stroll around the city, visit the towns and villages of the Cantabrian Sea with a trip to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés, or even have lunch and relax in an 18th century spa, in a serene setting, ideal for renewing your energy.

As it is the low season, prices are cheap. You can find hotels from 30 €, you can celebrate New Year 's Eve with a three-course dinner and drinks from 35 €, and you can even find seasonal offers in the street markets.

Make sure to mark Oviedo on your December calendar if you want to enjoy nature and Christmas traditions at the best price.

Although the average temperature is 12°C, the wind chill is much lower due to winds and rain, so be prepared to keep warm.

Pack: woollen socks, thermal underwear (especially if you plan to ski in the Picos de Europa), turtlenecks, a good warm coat to withstand low temperatures, mackintoshes (rain is a constant in December), thick socks, scarf, trousers and a pair of waterproof boots.

It is always a good idea to take shelter in museums. One of the ways to appreciate local art and culture is to wander around its main galleries and exhibitions.

• Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias where some 15,000 pieces tell the story of the region from the 14th century to the present day. It is located at Calle Santa Ana, 1-3.
• Archaeological Museum of Asturias, a national monument since 1934. The history inside is a relic. You can find it in Calle San Vicente, 3.
• Church MuseumJustby visiting it you will be in the heart of the symbol of the capital of Asturias. You can find it in the Metropolitan Cathedral of El Salvador in Oviedo.