From August 14 to 16, Cabo de Cruz in Galicia will host the XVIII Exaltación do Mexillón, distributing over 3,000 kilos of mussels to local bars and restaurants. The festival features free tapas, live cooking, concerts, and traditional boat races.
More than 3,000 kilos of fresh Galician mussels will be handed out to local bars and restaurants as Cabo de Cruz, a coastal village in the municipality of Boiro, prepares for the XVIII Exaltación do Mexillón from August 14 to 16, 2026. The event, now in its eighteenth edition, has become a highlight of the summer calendar, drawing visitors with its blend of gastronomy, music, and maritime tradition.
Throughout the festival week, participating establishments will serve complimentary mussel tapas, each offering their own take on the region’s signature shellfish. According to the municipal agenda, the main festivities will unfold around the port, with a packed program that includes live cooking demonstrations, concerts, children’s activities, and competitive regattas.
Festival Highlights
The celebration extends beyond the port, as the municipal mussel distribution allows bars and restaurants across Boiro to join in. While the full list of participating venues has not yet been published, the initiative aims to promote the local mussel industry and the jobs it supports, from cultivation to processing and sales. The festival, revived three years ago after a hiatus, is now firmly reestablished as a showcase for the region’s seafood culture.
Not all tastings at the port will be free, and prices for the main festival dishes have yet to be announced. However, the week promises a variety of experiences, from traditional recipes to innovative preparations, all centered on the mussel—a product protected by the Denominación de Origen Protegida Mexillón de Galicia.
Three Days of Events
The official program divides activities across three days. On Friday, August 14, the festivities begin at 20:00 with a speech by Gerardo Triñanes, followed by a circus performance, a three-variety mussel tasting, and a concert by Luis Fercán and his band. Saturday features a morning talk by CIIMAR researcher Sergio Fernández Boo, live cooking with chef Alberto Lareo, a midday session with tapas and children’s inflatables, and the XII Bandeira Marina Cabo de Cruz regatta at 17:00. The evening brings more live cooking with Iago Pazos, a marmitako and steamed mussel tasting, and a concert by Versionettes.
Sunday’s program includes a women’s regatta at 11:30, the Liga Galega de Traiñeiras men’s race at noon, the official festival opening, and a four-course mussel menu. The morning concludes with a performance by O Ar de Loureda. As August 15 falls on a Saturday in 2026, the festival does not create a long holiday weekend, but the schedule is designed to maximize local participation and visitor interest.
Gastronomy and Maritime Heritage
Live cooking demonstrations are a central feature, with chefs Alberto Lareo and Iago Pazos preparing dishes that highlight both tradition and innovation. The festival also includes a talk on the challenges and opportunities of mussel farming, underlining the economic and cultural importance of the product to Cabo de Cruz and the wider region. The port, its historic quay, and the surrounding mussel rafts provide a fitting backdrop for the celebration.
Visiting Cabo de Cruz
Cabo de Cruz is located in the province of A Coruña, with the main events taking place in the port area. The local tourism office notes that parking is available, but no special arrangements or ticketing systems have been announced for the festival days. Visitors are encouraged to check the official Boiro council agenda for any last-minute updates or changes to the program.
For those looking to explore further, a 3.1-kilometer coastal walk connects Cabo de Cruz to Punta do Chazo, offering views of the ría and a mix of paved paths, wooden walkways, and stone trails. The festival’s combination of food, music, and maritime sport reflects the enduring connection between Galicia’s coastal communities and the sea.
