The Ortigueira International Celtic Festival is one of Galicia’s major summer music events. Every July, thousands of visitors travel to the Costa de Ortegal to enjoy open-air concerts, bagpipes, traditional dance, festive atmosphere and Celtic music at one of Europe’s best-known folk festivals.
If you are planning to attend the Ortigueira Festival 2026, there is one decision you should make as early as possible: where to stay. During the festival, accommodation in Ortigueira books up well in advance, and many visitors look for nearby alternatives that are well connected, comfortable and quieter for resting between concerts.
In this guide, we explain the dates of Ortigueira Festival 2026, what to expect from the programme, how to get there and why Cariño, around 18 kilometres from Ortigueira, is one of the most practical bases for staying near the festival.
Ortigueira Festival 2026: confirmed dates
The 2026 edition of the Ortigueira International Celtic Festival is officially listed from 8 to 12 July 2026 on the festival website.
The full programme may still be updated, so before travelling it is always worth checking the official festival website: festivaldeortigueira.com.
Even so, if you already know you want to come, our advice is simple: book your accommodation as early as possible. The festival creates very high demand over just a few days, and the closest places to stay often fill up months before July.
Where to stay for the Ortigueira Festival
The first obvious option is to look for accommodation in Ortigueira itself, but availability during the festival is limited. That is why many visitors expand their search to nearby towns along the Costa de Ortegal.
In this context, Cariño is one of the best alternatives for staying near the Ortigueira Festival. It is close enough to drive to the concerts, while offering a quieter atmosphere for resting, direct access to the sea and an excellent location for discovering the surrounding area.
From Cariño, you can reach Ortigueira by car in around 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact route.
If you are looking for accommodation for those dates, you can browse our available holiday rentals in Cariño or find more information about holiday rentals in Cariño.
Why stay in Cariño during the Ortigueira Festival
1. You are close to the festival, but away from the crowds
During the main days of the festival, Ortigueira welcomes a very large number of visitors. That is part of the event’s charm, but it also means more traffic, more noise, less parking and less accommodation availability.
Staying in Cariño allows you to remain close to the concerts without giving up a calmer base. You can spend the day by the sea, rest after a night of music and travel to Ortigueira when you plan to attend the festival.
2. You have more holiday rental options
When hotels, guesthouses and rural houses in Ortigueira start to fill up, expanding your search to Cariño can make a real difference. Holiday rentals offer more flexibility, especially if you are travelling as a couple, with family or with a group of friends.
A holiday rental also gives you more independence: a kitchen, living space, flexible schedules and more room to organise a stay of several days.
3. You can combine the festival with beaches and nature
The Ortigueira Festival can be the perfect excuse to explore the Costa de Ortegal at a slower pace. From Cariño, you are very close to some of the most impressive landscapes in northern Galicia: Cape Ortegal, the Serra da Capelada, Vixía de Herbeira, San Andrés de Teixido and several beaches that are ideal for resting between concerts.
If you come for just one night, you will probably leave wanting more. If you stay for three, four or five days, you can combine music, sea, gastronomy and nature without long journeys.
What is the Ortigueira International Celtic Festival?
The Ortigueira International Celtic Festival was founded in 1978 and has become a major reference point for fans of Celtic and folk music. It brings together artists from Galicia, Asturias, Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and other regions with Celtic traditions.
The festival has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest.
For several days, Ortigueira fills with concerts, street parades, dance, craft markets, cultural activities and a lively festive atmosphere. Music is the main reason for the trip, but the setting is just as important: the estuary, the cliffs, the fishing villages and the local gastronomy turn the festival into a very complete getaway.
Ortigueira Festival 2026 programme
You can check the full programme for the Ortigueira Festival 2026 on the official website, in the programme section.
Traditionally, the festival combines different spaces and activities:
Main concerts at night.
Daytime performances in the centre of Ortigueira.
Street parades and traditional dance groups.
Craft market.
Workshops, courses and cultural activities.
The Runas contest, dedicated to emerging Celtic folk talent.
Although the line-up changes every year, the festival keeps a very recognisable identity: Celtic music, Atlantic culture, open-air concerts and a large gathering of visitors in the heart of the Costa de Ortegal.
How to get to Ortigueira from Cariño
The easiest way to travel between Cariño and Ortigueira during the festival is by car. The distance is short and gives you the freedom to organise your own schedule, especially if you plan to attend evening or late-night concerts.
However, during the festival days it is important to allow extra time. Traffic and parking in Ortigueira can become more difficult due to the number of visitors, particularly on the days with major concerts.
Practical tips:
Check the programme before leaving.
Look out for road closures, parking areas or instructions from the organisers.
Avoid arriving just before the main concerts begin.
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to move between different festival areas.
Remember that nights on the coast can be cool, even in July.
What to do in Cariño between concerts
One of the advantages of staying in Cariño is that you do not have to choose between the festival and a holiday. You can enjoy the atmosphere in Ortigueira in the afternoon or evening, and spend the rest of your trip exploring the Costa de Ortegal.
Some recommended plans near Cariño:
Cape Ortegal
One of the most iconic places in the area. Its cliffs, lighthouse and views over the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea make it an essential visit.
Vixía de Herbeira
A spectacular viewpoint in the Serra da Capelada, with views over some of the most impressive cliffs in Galicia. It is one of those places that fully justifies extending your stay by a couple of extra days.
A Concha Beach
Cariño’s urban beach is perfect for a quiet morning after a night at the festival. You can go for a walk, swim if the weather allows or simply rest by the sea.
Fornos Beach
Another nearby option for those looking for sand, sea and a more relaxed setting.
San Andrés de Teixido
One of Galicia’s most distinctive sanctuaries, surrounded by legends, cliffs and scenic roads. It is a perfect half-day trip if you want to get to know the area better.
Seafood and local gastronomy
Cariño is a fishing town, and that is reflected in its food. Fresh fish, seafood, local produce and simple cooking are part of the experience. After several concerts, eating well and resting by the sea can be almost as important as the festival itself.
You can find more information about the area on our surroundings page
Tips for booking accommodation for Ortigueira Festival 2026
If you want to come to the festival, do not wait until the full programme is published before looking for accommodation. By then, many of the best options may already be booked.
Keep these recommendations in mind:
Book several months in advance.
Expand your search to nearby towns such as Cariño.
Consider accommodation with a kitchen if you are staying for several days.
Check whether you need parking.
If you are travelling as a group, book a full property as early as possible.
Make the most of the trip by staying more than one night and discovering the Costa de Ortegal.
At Ortegal Home, we can help you find accommodation that suits your trip, whether you are coming as a couple, with family or with friends.
You can also read our guide to choosing accommodation in Cariño, where we explain which areas, services and details to consider before booking.
Ortigueira Festival and the Costa de Ortegal: a complete getaway
The Ortigueira Festival is not only a music event. It is also an opportunity to discover one of the most special areas of northern Galicia.
Staying in Cariño allows you to enjoy the festival without giving up rest, sea and nature. You can go to the concerts, return to sleep in a quieter setting and spend the rest of your trip visiting Cape Ortegal, the Serra da Capelada, San Andrés de Teixido or the beaches nearby.
And if 2026 is already on your travel calendar, there is another important date to keep in mind: the total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026 at Cape Ortegal. One more reason to keep the Costa de Ortegal firmly on your radar this summer.
Book your accommodation for Ortigueira Festival 2026
If you are coming to the Ortigueira Festival 2026 and looking for somewhere to stay nearby, Cariño is a comfortable, peaceful and well-located base for enjoying both the festival and the Costa de Ortegal.
At Ortegal Home, we work from Cariño and know the area first-hand. We can help you find the right holiday rental for your stay, whether you are planning a short getaway or want to make the most of your trip by staying several days.
Browse available holiday rentals in Cariño
Or contact us and we will get back to you with availability for the festival dates.
