The Virxe do Carme is the patron of Galician fishermen and her feast on 16 July is the major maritime celebration of the Ria de Arousa. The cofradias.
Tip: The maritime procession launches from Cambados harbour in late afternoon on 16 July; arrive early to find a vantage point along the seawall.
The patron-saint festival of San Bieito de Fefinanes in Cambados is the town's pre-Albarino-festival warm-up, held in the days leading up to the feast of S.
Tip: Stand in the Plaza de Fefinanes at dusk during the festival to see the Pazo lit; the bodega tasting room often runs extended hours.
The Consello Regulador and the Ruta do Vino Rias Baixas coordinate an open-cellar weekend in May each year, with participating bodegas across all five subzones.
Tip: Map the participating bodegas before the day; the Salnes peninsula has the densest cluster and is best walked or driven in tight loops.
The marquee event of the Rias Baixas calendar, the Festa do Albarino has run annually in Cambados since 1953 and is officially declared a Festival.
Tip: Book Cambados accommodation by April. Buy festival glass and tasting tickets via the official site or at the Paseo da Calzada entrance.
Held in Ribadumia each first weekend of June, the Festa do Vino Tinto do Salnes is dedicated to the rare red wines of the Salnes peninsula and the autochthonous.
Tip: Bring euros for direct producer purchases; many small Salnes red bottlings are released here before reaching export markets.
Declared a Galician Festival of Tourist Interest, the Feira do Vino do Rosal showcases the O Rosal subzone on the Plaza do Calvario across the third weekend of July.
Tip: Sunday is the quieter day, with the vineyard race in the morning. The festival glass and tickets are sold on entry; cash works best.
Held each July in the Plaza do Concello of Meano, the Festa do Vino de Meano is organised by the Asociacion de Adegas Artesanais Rias Baixas to showcase Albarino.
Tip: Meano is a working agricultural town, not a tourist village. Park on the village outskirts and walk in; the small scale is part of the charm.