El Desarme in Oviedo 2026

El Desarme in Oviedo is one of the city’s major gastronomic and cultural celebrations. Linked to historical events of the 19th century, every October the festival brings together gastronomy, history, music, historical re-enactments and cultural activities.

Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Spain, its main day is 19 October, when restaurants and cider houses throughout Oviedo serve the traditional Desarme Menu.

El Desarme 2026 dates

El Desarme 2026 programme

These are the 2026 activities confirmed so far. Further events may be added to the programme over the coming weeks.

• 2 October
  5th International Poetry Competition “El Desarme en Verso”
  Scheduled date for the jury’s decision in the literary competition devoted to the history, tradition and spirit of El Desarme.
• 6–25 October
  Period costume exhibition
  Exhibition of period clothing and representative items from the Cofradía del Desarme at the Villa Magdalena Social Centre.
• 16–25 October
  El Desarme 2026 celebrations
  Gastronomic, cultural and historical events at different venues across Oviedo.
• 17 October · 5:30 pm
  5th “El Desarme” Period Costume Competition
  At Paseo del Bombé, in Campo de San Francisco, accompanied by a parade and a re-creation of the atmosphere of 19th-century Oviedo.
• 19 October
  Desarme Day
  The main day of the festival. Restaurants and cider houses in Oviedo serve the traditional menu of chickpeas with cod and spinach, Oviedo-style tripe and rice pudding.
• 21 October
  Period-themed festival
  A participatory, family-friendly activity linked to the exhibition at the Villa Magdalena Social Centre.
• 23 October · 9:00 pm
  Brotherhood Espicha
  A welcome and fellowship gathering for the participating gastronomic brotherhoods, at El Llar de la Catedral, Plaza de la Catedral.
• 24 October
  14th Grand Chapter of the Cofradía del Desarme
  A day of fellowship with the participation of gastronomic brotherhoods. The programme includes official ceremonies, a parade and the traditional Desarme meal.
• 24 October · 3:00 pm
  Grand Chapter Lunch
  Desarme Menu lunch at the Iberik Santo Domingo Plaza Hotel.

Programme being updated. The Cofradía del Desarme may add new activities or change times and venues. Please confirm the details before travelling.

Traditional Desarme Menu

Every 19 October, many restaurants and cider houses in Oviedo serve what is known as the Desarme Menu:

• First course
  Chickpeas with cod and spinach
• Second course
  Oviedo-style tripe
• Dessert
  Rice pudding

The celebrations also include Bocados del Desarme, an initiative in which local bars and restaurants offer pinchos and tapas inspired by the ingredients of the traditional menu.

For 19 October, booking a table in advance is recommended.

History and origin of the menu

The origins of El Desarme date back to 1876, when the Carlist Wars came to an end. During the reign of Alfonso XII, peace was proclaimed and towns and cities across Spain were called upon to celebrate the disarmament of the population and the arrival of peace. It was in this context that the word “desarme” (“disarmament”) became associated with these celebrations. Oviedo, however, gave the commemoration a distinctive character: rather than celebrating a victory over the Carlists, the city placed the emphasis on peace, fellowship and reconciliation between those who had been on opposing sides. Families, neighbours and former combatants came together again, and the special meals were served not only to soldiers but also to Carlist prisoners and people in hospital.

This spirit of reconciliation gave rise to the name “Menu of Peace”, a designation still championed by the Cofradía del Desarme. The end of the Carlist Wars also coincided with Lent, which led to the usual meat and cured meats in military meals being replaced by cod. This gave rise to chickpeas with cod and spinach, regarded as the true gastronomic origin of the celebration and still served today as the first course of the Desarme Menu. Tradition later linked this menu to the commemoration of 19 October, when the fallen were remembered and soldiers were served what became known as the Desarme menu.

The three-course menu known today developed gradually. At the end of the 19th century, as the celebration moved from barracks, homes and official banquets into Oviedo’s restaurants, Oviedo-style tripe was added. Much later, during the second half of the 20th century, rice pudding was added as dessert, completing the three-course structure that has survived to the present day.

This is how today’s Desarme Menu took shape: chickpeas with cod and spinach, Oviedo-style tripe and rice pudding. Rather than commemorating a military victory, the tradition has evolved into a celebration of peace, coexistence and sharing a meal together, becoming one of Oviedo’s distinctive gastronomic traditions.

Over the years, the festival has added historical re-enactments, cultural activities, competitions, music, poetry and gatherings of gastronomic brotherhoods, eventually receiving recognition as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Spain.

Practical tips

• Book well in advance for 19 October: restaurants and cider houses are usually in high demand.
• The historic centre, El Fontán and other central areas are where much of the festival atmosphere is concentrated.
• Check the programme before travelling, as new activities may be added and times may change.
• You can combine El Desarme events with a visit to Oviedo’s historic centre and its main monuments.

*Dates and activities may be changed by the organisers.