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 holidays. From music, dance shows, traditional festivals, skiing and street entertainment to an amazing Christmas decoration that adorns more than three hundred streets of the Asturian capital, it is among the best things to do in Oviedo in December and, there are many ways to take advantage of these holidays.

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

Throughout the year you can take a tour of legends and mysteries, however in December this tour of the hidden side of Oviedo has a special touch: 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 is a very cultural city, so it is not surprising that it is famous for its incredible Christmas traditions.

By participating in the mystical decembrino tour, you will 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 through the area will take you to the Ercina and Enol lakes, the Covadonga Lakes as well as to the Cave of the Virgin of Covadonga "La Cuevona", where La Santina, patron saint of all Asturians, is located. 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 splendor.

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.

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

The lighting features festive figures such as the huge luminous bear and the large Christmas tree that have been installed in the Town Hall Square. Visitors can also enjoy the balls that dot Porlier Square so that anyone can take a photo with them. The spectacular tunnel of light on Pelayo street and the now classic angel crosses on Uría street are real attractions for selfies, they almost seem designed for the best photos in the area!

Walk through the 320 streets of Oviedo that are illuminated in the urban and rural areas of the council and take your photographic souvenir with you.

It is a seasonal tradition and in Oviedo you will 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 Eusebio González Abascal Street, there is also usually a market to celebrate Christmas.

Another corner you should not miss in the city is in the Plaza La Escandalera, where the traditional Christmas Market is organized with at least thirty stores and craft stalls offering a variety of products, all with a common denominator: to buy Christmas gifts.

Finally, this list would not be complete without the traditional market in the Plaza de la Catedral, where a program 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 will not miss this seasonal event.

The "Amagüestu" 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 neighboring Plaza de Porlier.

Also join the party in the city center itself, such as the "Oviedo redondo" in the Plaza Daoíz y Velarde. Get to know the annual program of activities of the Amagüestu and participate in this Celtic tradition.

The exhibition of Nativity Scenes in Oviedo is an event that no one can miss 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, a stately nativity scene is installed, where the large-scale figures are placed in an Asturian Quintana.

Another popular nativity scene can be found in the historic center of Oviedo, where the work is in Neapolitan style and gathers 240 figures to recreate the area. You can see from the Plaza de la Constitución, through the Plaza del Paraguas to the Plaza Corrada del Obispo in miniature. It is undoubtedly the most spectacular of all nativity scenes. And the work of the Asociación Belenista de Oviedo does not end there, in the Plaza Trascorrales also represents the seafaring people with deep attention to perspective and design.

To enjoy these handcrafted works you just have to go to the old town of Oviedo from December 3 onwards. Visiting hours are usually from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

As the flagship mining town of Spain, Oviedo could not miss the patron saint of these workers: Santa Bárbara.

These patron saint festivities of the people of Oviedo begin every December 4 and last for a week to accommodate honorary distinctions, gastronomic tastings, dances, sporting events, processions, conferences and more. It is a great event where the coal towns and the city center extol Santa Barbara.

How to join the event? You can participate in the multicultural program in the auditorium Príncipe Felipe, the proclamation of Santa Barbara in the tent of Jovellanos Park, the offerings in Mieres and Turon, participate in the Feast of Santa Barbara in Llanares or with the student groups that have made even "flashmob" for the patron.

If you visit Oviedo in December, you will see that it is an ideal time to enjoy some of the specialties of the city. 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 specialties of Oviedo's gastronomy.

Cabbage stew, a good Asturian bean stew or chestnut stew are very comforting and hearty meals for this time of the year. And for dessert, stroll through the emblematic pastry shops of the Asturian capital, such as 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 illuminated during Christmas and choirs take to the streets. Christmas carols are heard everywhere and theaters such as the music school and municipal rondallas in the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium present an extensive program 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 every year their interpretation of Handel's oratorio "Messiah" in their traditional concert program called "Europe sings Christmas".

On the other hand, you cannot miss the Calenda, a medieval tradition where "Las Pelayas" perform a Gregorian chant to announce the birth of Jesus in the Monasteryof San Pelay onDecember 24.

Attending the theater to enjoy the 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 mesmerized 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 Hall and buy your tickets.

The Paseo del Bombé in Campo San Francisco welcomes the holiday season with its 300-square-meter ice rink for skating in the vicinity of its impressive tent filled with 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. To access its facilities, the price is usually cheap, starting at 6 € per hour, and groups usually enjoy discounts.

Bombé's skating rink is not only fun and games. It also includes a host of activities for the whole family: children's shows, movies, monologues and musicals. In addition to a Christmas Train that will run through the 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 is rarely below 1°C, the perfect weather 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 plans to escape the busy center of Spain and during this month the emblematic natural haven offers tranquility to visitors and locals.

Take the opportunity to stroll around the city, visit the towns and villages of the Cantabrian Sea with an excursion to Luarca, Cudillero and Aviles, you can even eat and relax in a spa of the eighteenth century, in a serene atmosphere, ideal for renewing energy.

Since it is low season, prices are cheap. In the hostelry offer you can find hotels from 30 €, you can celebrate the New Year's party by participating in a three-course dinner and drink from 35 €, even in the markets you can find seasonal offers.

Be sure to write down Oviedo in your December calendar if you want to enjoy nature and Christmas tradition at the best price.

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

Pack in your suitcase: wool socks, thermal underwear (especially if you plan to ski in the Picos de Europa), polo shirts with high collars, a good coat to withstand low temperatures, raincoats (rains are a constant in December), thick socks, scarf, pants and a pair of waterproof boots.

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

• Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias where some 15,000 pieces tell the history 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 at Calle San Vicente, 3.
• Church MuseumJustby visiting it you will be in the symbol of the capital of Asturias. You can find it in the Metropolitan Cathedral of El Salvador de Oviedo.