Patron saint's fiestas in honour of San Roque

The Water Fiesta is the most long-awaited moment in the summer fiestas held in Vilagarcía de Arousa.

Vilagarcía de Arousa , in the province of Pontevedra, celebrates its patron saint's fiestas, in honour of San Roque, in the middle of August. Over ten days there are religious services, such as mass and a procession with the statue of the saint, along with other more frivolous activities. The most outstanding of these is the Water Fiesta. Thousands of people of all ages come together in the central streets of Vilagarcía, shouting "water!", while local residents and firemen throw water over them. Some 20,000-30,000 people attend this fun-filled celebration, made all the more lively by music from brass bands and the revelry of local fiesta associations.The celebrations include other activities such as free concerts, shows by folk groups, a float parade, the battle of flowers... The final stroke is usually the Naval Battle, which attracts thousands of spectators. This consists of a firework battle between a boat and a castle on the wharf. This is rounded off with a spectacular firework display, both on shore and in the water.