Aristotle once said, “Man is by nature a social animal.” The festivals are pure living history where the unseen becomes evident: the immaterial heritage. The festivities in Saja Nansa are as varied as the territory, because there’s everything from old carnivals to processions on land and sea where music, dance and traditions are common features. And of course, we can’t forget the great food and drinks that play a huge role in the region’s culture.
There are so many festivals that the list would be endless if we included them all, so here’s a selection of the most noteworthy:

Los Zamarrones Carnival

Los Zamarrones is a very old tradition with Pagan origins that represents fertility, the expulsion of evil spirits and the preparation for the arrival of a new season. The main characters are the black and white ‘zamarrone.’ On their journey around the villages of Polaciones, the white zamarrones jump with a hazel rod to grab everyone’s attention. Tied to the end of the rod, is a piece of cloth or a sack called a “zamárgano,” which is wet with water or mud to splash the single women with. This tradition is called “Sabaneo.” Then, while accompanied by a troupe reciting in verse, the zamarrones dramatize and event that occurred in the valley.

The clothing of the white zamarrón is very striking: a shirt and white pants, black or brown leg warmers, a Manila shawl tied at the waist, a tie, silk sashes, and the most spectacular, the hat. It’s made of straw but lined with white cloth and decorated with flowers, silk ribbons, and jewels. 
However, the black zamarrón is dressed in tattered and sooty clothes.

It’s celebrated on a different day every year, because despite its Pagan origin, it’s been Christianized and now it coincides with the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday.

 La Folía

Legend has it that on an Easter Tuesday, a boat arrived to the bay of San Vicente de la Barquera with no oars, no sails and only the image of the Virgin Mary. That’s when the La Folía Festival was born. It takes place after Easter and the day varies depending on the tides.
Throughout the year, the Patron Saint of San Vicente stays in the shrine located in the area of La Barquera, with the exception of a few days: on Holy Saturday when the Virgin is carried by the “picayos” (those who march in the procession and sing to the Virgin) in the “Procession of the Torches” to Hijas de Cristo Rey chapel. The next day, Easter Sunday, the Holy Encounter takes place during which she’s later taken to Santa María de los Ángeles church, where she remains until the Sunday of La Folía. That day, the streets are filled with people and the Cornet and Drum Band perform. Mass is held in the morning during which the choir sings. In the afternoon, the “picayos” again take the Patron Saint (dressed in a blue cape) through the streets of San Vicente. One of the most moving moments is when the “picayas,” along with their tambourines, sing to the Virgin. Then the maritime procession begins. All of the boats in the port with their sirens accompany her on her maritime departure. Finally, she returns to her shrine on land where she’ll stay put until the following year.

Cantabria Day

Cantabria Day, also known as Day of The Mountain, commemorates the day in which Cabezón de la Sal led the request for the Statute of Autonomy in 1979. It takes place on the second Sunday of August and it’s a cultural display of how our region truly is. Cabezón becomes overcome with different colors and folklore. The day starts with the raising of the flag and the institutional act. Throughout the day there’s a market with artisan and food products, performances by folk groups, as well as bowling and rock dragging competitions, among other things. The festival ends with a parade of floats that represent typical scenes from Cantabria.

Cantabrian Bagpipes Festival

An instrument that plays a significant role in our culture is the bagpipes, although it’s usually associated with our neighbors of Asturias and Galicia. The Cantabrian Bagpipes Festival takes place in Unquera on the second Sunday of June. During which, the streets are filled with folk schools and bagpipe bands from Cantabria and other provinces.

The international descent of the Deva River

Between Asturias and Cantabria, the Deva River bears witness to a renowned canoeing sporting event: the Descenso Internacional del Deva (International Descent of the Deva River). This competition is held the last weekend of August or the first weekend of September. The sportspeople start at the Panes-Siejo bridge and travel 12 kilometers until they reach Unquera. Throughout the river you can see the canoeists in Buelles, Vilde, Molleda or the bridge that connects Unquera and Bustio.
If you’d like to experience for yourself what it’s like to canoe down the Deva River, there are several adventure tourism companies that do this activity year round.

Bean and Vegetable Festival

Nowadays beans, which arrived from America several centuries ago, become part of our culture. Every November, the town of Casar de Periedo holds a Bean and Vegetable Festival, where you can see the true value of Cantabrian vegetable garden staples like beans and collard greens. Also, the town transforms into the Cantabria of the 1940s. To learn more about the festival, you can check out the website: Bean and Vegetable Festival

Livestock Fairs

Livestock is embedded in our roots and the best representation of this can be seen in the livestock fairs. In the past, the fairs lasted several days and their purpose was to sell cattle and other products like cheese, beans, “albarcas” (wooden clogs) or farming tools.
Livestock fairs continue to be traditions that are alive. Lots of different animals like horses, sheep and goats gather, although cows are the most relevant in the fairs, especially the Tudanca breed which is native to Cantabria.
The fair starts with the animals’ arrival to the fields that are set up for their exposition. Throughout the day, there are singing groups and musicians who play traditional music, along with other activities like artisan markets, and in some cases, rock dragging contests and open-air dances.
One of the most anticipated moments of the fair is the “Pasá,” when the animals leave the fairgrounds. It’s truly a parade! 

The most importants fairs are Olympic Tudanca breed in Cabezón de la Sal, San Miguel Fair in Puentenansa, San Bernabé and San Martin fairs in Treceño, San José Fair in Ruente...

Danza de las Lanzas (The dance of the Spears)

Folklore is a very important part of our culture. Traditions like the Danza de las Lanzas (The Dance of the Spears) and the Dance of the Count of Lara have been preserved in Ruiloba. Moreover, both dances have been declared Immaterial Cultural Interest Assets. The Dance of the Spears symbolizes a dance of swords and its origin is very old and spiritual by nature. In the dance, the young men dance with sticks to the beat of the drum and castanets, while they do a series of movements making different shapes or squares.

To see this piece of folklore, come to Liandres on July 2nd, when the festival of Nª Sª de los Remedios is celebrated in the hermitage of the same name. Exceptionally, it’s repeated on September 9th on the day of El Mozucu, a festival shared by Ruiloba and Udías.
The Dance of the Count of Lara was typical in courtly circles and it’s a sung romance that tells the story about the countess’s suffering when the Count of Lara was named Captain-General of Lombardy. 

There are many traditions such as the Magosta (roast chestnut), Fiesta del Cocido in Ucieda, El Mozucu, El Cristo en Bielva or in Comillas, El Carmen, El Encuentru in Polaciones, la Subida en Albarcas a Arria, el Limón Solidario in Novales etc.