Mayor Natalia Chueca presents the major events that will mark the coming months in the Aragonese capital, including new initiatives such as the Star Wars Training Day, the second edition of Zaragoza Luce, and an expansion of the Christmas programming, alongside the emblematic Fiestas del Pilar.
Zaragoza reaffirms itself as one of the major cultural capitals of southern Europe with the presentation, this Monday in Madrid, of its programming for autumn and winter. At an event held at the Official College of Quantity Surveyors and Technical Architects, Mayor Natalia Chueca issued a direct invitation to a national and international audience to experience “the city where everything happens,” under an ambitious calendar of activities that combines tradition, innovation, economic impact, and tourism projection.
Among the new highlights are the second edition of the Zaragoza Luce festival, the premiere in the city of the Star Wars Training Day, and an enhancement of the Christmas programming, which last year attracted more than 2 million attendees. These events complement the Fiestas del Pilar, the largest cultural event in Aragon and a national festive reference, which in 2023 brought together more than 4.3 million people in Plaza del Pilar during its nine days.
During the presentation, Chueca emphasized that Zaragoza has experienced a qualitative leap in its cultural offerings, with a clear commitment to accessibility, social cohesion, and economic dynamism. “Quality culture and leisure are now a driving force for tourism and for our local economy. They are so because the people of Zaragoza respond extraordinarily to every proposal, and because we have managed to keep our city always alive,” the mayor highlighted.
Pilar, Christmas, and Star Wars: the city vibrates all year round
The Fiestas del Pilar, which start in just two weeks, will once again gather hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors. In 2023, the Offering of Flowers broke its participation record with 9% more registered groups. The decentralization of events to neighborhoods, the high percentage of free activities, and the exemplary behavior of the audience have turned these festivities into a model of urban and cultural management.
Next, Zaragoza will transform with its Christmas programming, which will take place from late November to January 6. More than 600 cultural and leisure activities are expected, including a significant light display — featuring the already emblematic 3.5-kilometer light corridor — Christmas markets, and the largest life-size nativity scene in Europe. Last Christmas alone, more than 870,000 people visited the Christmas exhibit, and the economic impact exceeded 75 million euros.
On September 27, Zaragoza will experience for the first time the Star Wars Training Day, a themed parade of international reach featuring more than 1,000 costumed characters, 200 musicians, and an expected audience of over 60,000 spectators. Concerts, charitable activities, and substantial media coverage will complement this event linked to George Lucas’s cinematic universe.
Zaragoza Luce, Inverfest, and major music festivals
In February 2026, the Zaragoza Luce festival will celebrate its second edition following a first event that gathered 278,000 attendees and generated 4 million euros in economic impact in just three days. This event combines visual art, technology, and electronic music in iconic urban spaces.
Classical music will once again center on the Auditorium of Zaragoza Princesa Leonor, considered one of the venues with the best acoustics in the world. The 2025–2026 Great Concert Season will feature ensembles such as the Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony, and Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne, with renowned soloists including Gustavo Dudamel, Martha Argerich, María Dueñas, and Juan Diego Flórez.
Zaragoza is also expanding its commitment to contemporary music with Inverfest, a winter festival that originated in Madrid and, after its successful debut in the city, will double its presence with artists such as Miguel Ríos, Ariel Rot, Bebe, Destripando la Historia, and Baiuca.
The Zaragoza Jazz Festival will celebrate its 42nd edition between November 14 and 23, featuring artists like John Medeski, Chucho Valdés, Hermeto Pascoal, and Jazzmeia Horn, blending avant-garde music and Latin fusion. A special edition of the Zaragoza Film Festival is also on the horizon, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary with commemorative programming.
Zaragoza, a leading cultural destination
With over 4.7 million attendees at measurable events during the last autumn-winter edition, Zaragoza has consolidated its strategy as an event city, with the capacity to attract visitors from across the country and abroad, and a programming designed for audiences of all ages.
Culture, family leisure, technology, and tradition come together in a city that has made cultural activity one of its development axes. The message is clear: in Zaragoza, there is always something happening.
