From 16 to 18 October 2026, Oviedo will once again step back into the 19th century. As part of the traditional El Desarme celebrations, the city centre will host re-enactments of battles between Carlist troops and supporters of Queen Isabella II, period-costume processions, military parades and demonstrations of soldiers’ everyday lives.
The food celebrations will continue for longer: from 15 to 25 October, restaurants across the city will serve the traditional El Desarme menu.
📅 Historical re-enactments: 16–18 October 2026
🍽️ Food festival: 15–25 October
📍 Oviedo, Asturias
🌐 Official website: eldesarme.es
What is El Desarme?
El Desarme, meaning “Disarmament”, is one of Oviedo’s best-known traditional celebrations. Its history is linked to the First Carlist War and the defence of the city in October 1836.
On 19 October 1836, Carlist troops attacked Oviedo. The city’s defenders repelled the assault, and Oviedo was subsequently awarded the honorary title Benemérita Ciudad.
Today, these events are commemorated through large-scale re-enactments involving groups representing both sides.
Over the weekend, Oviedo’s streets will fill with soldiers in historical uniforms, people wearing 19th-century clothing and military units carrying period weapons.
📅 Friday 16 October
18:00 — Military camps open
Participants will gather in Parque de Invierno and set up their historical military camps.
20:00 — Official opening of El Desarme
Actor Ramón Langa will deliver this year’s opening address, known as the pregón, from the balcony of Oviedo City Hall.
⚔️ Saturday 17 October: Día del Desarme
The main day of festive processions and historical performances.
12:00 — Gathering in Cathedral Square
Representatives of the Cofradía del Desarme, re-enactors and troops from both the Isabelline and Carlist sides will meet in Plaza de Alfonso II el Casto.
They will then walk along La Rúa and Cimadevilla to Plaza de la Constitución for the ceremonial proclamation of the festival.
12:30 — Floral tribute and military salute
A ceremony in Plaza de la Constitución will commemorate those who took part in the fighting of 1836. Flowers will be laid beside San Isidoro el Real church, followed by a military salute.
13:30 — First historical skirmishes
Small clashes between Carlist and Isabelline troops will be re-enacted in Cathedral Square.
17:30 — Period costume competition
The Paseo del Bombé in Campo de San Francisco park will host a 19th-century costume competition, with historical units taking part.
19:30 — Prize-giving ceremony
20:00 — Period costume procession
Competitors will walk from the Paseo del Bombé to the square outside City Hall.
21:00 — Grand military parade and battle re-enactments
One of the festival’s main highlights!
The historical troops will set off along Calle Uría from its junction with Conde de Toreno, continue towards Plaza de la Escandalera and finish in Plaza de Alfonso II el Casto beside the Cathedral.
Spectators will be able to watch re-enactments of the El Desarme battles.
22:30 — Return to the military camps
After the performance, participants will return to Parque de Invierno.
🏕️ Sunday 18 October: the major battle re-enactment
Sunday’s programme takes place in Parque de Invierno.
10:00 — Visit the historical military camp
The camp will open to the public. Visitors can discover the everyday lives of 19th-century soldiers, see their equipment and learn how military life was organised.
12:00 — Major re-enactment of the defence of Oviedo
Sunday’s main historical performance will portray the events of 19 October 1836, when the city’s defenders faced the Carlist troops.
14:00 — Menú de la Paz
A celebratory meal of reconciliation bringing together representatives of both sides, organised by the Cofradía del Desarme de Oviedo.
🍲 El Desarme food festival: 15–25 October
El Desarme is known for its food traditions as well as its historical re-enactments.
Throughout the celebrations, restaurants in Oviedo offer a special menu traditionally consisting of three dishes:
- Garbanzos con bacalao y espinacas: chickpeas with salt cod and spinach.
- Callos a la asturiana: Asturian-style tripe.
- Arroz con leche: traditional rice pudding.
For many Oviedo residents, this meal is the central tradition of El Desarme.
When should you go?
Two days are particularly appealing for discovering the festival.
Saturday 17 October: historical processions, period costumes, military units and evening re-enactments in central Oviedo.
Sunday 18 October: a visit to the military camp and the large-scale battle re-enactment in Parque de Invierno.
The historical performances offer a fresh perspective on Oviedo’s familiar streets. For a few hours, the modern city becomes the setting for events that took place almost two centuries ago.
El Desarme 2026 brings together history, food and living local traditions. It is an opportunity to spend a weekend in Oviedo and discover one of the Asturian capital’s most distinctive celebrations.
📍 Oviedo, Asturias
📅 16–18 October 2026
🍽️ Food festival: 15–25 October
🌐 eldesarme.es
