The main celebration will center around the presentation of the Award Cortes de la Real Isla de León to the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, coinciding with the centenary of its launch. Mayor Patricia Cavada presented the full program, emphasizing its "vibrant, open, and participatory" nature to bring history out into the streets.
One of the most anticipated events is the Tapas Fair, holding its 22nd edition in Almirante Laulhé Park from Wednesday, September 23rd to Sunday, 27th. It will feature 13 participating establishments offering over 50 gastronomic proposals, with new tents and a rearranged layout.
Music will play a significant role with two free concerts. On Saturday, September 19th, the Plaza del Rey will host 'Recordando a la leyenda' (Remembering the Legend), a tribute to Camarón de la Isla, headlined by flamenco dancer Farruquito, alongside Cristian de Moret, Jorge Pardo, and Montse Cortés.
On Saturday, September 26th, the auditorium at Almirante Laulhé Park will host a concert by the Cordoban group La Corredera, a viral phenomenon in new flamenco and rumba music, boasting over 220,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
September 24th will see the return of traditional events such as the solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Iglesia square and the reenactment of the Oath of the Courts by the 24 de Septiembre association. The Cortes Legacy Foundation will organize the cannon blast ceremony, the drum parade, and an exhibition on the Napoleonic siege.
The program also includes guided tours of emblematic sites such as the Observatory, the Pantheon, the Historical Hall of the Battalion Barracks of the Tercio de la Armada, and the Zaporito tidal mill. On Friday, September 25th, the Plaza del Rey will host the European Researchers' Night for the second consecutive year.
