Isla’s historic quarter, in the municipality of Arnuero, has once again become Cantabria’s main gastronomic and cultural hub with the celebration of the Isla Fairs 2026.   The central events began on Saturday 12 September with the 14th Pepper Fair, dedicated to the star product of the local market garden, and continued on Sunday 13 September with the 4th Wine Fair, an event that consolidates the region’s thriving wine-growing sector. The big new feature of this edition will be the 1st Wine Congress, which will take place on 17 September alongside the “Gastronomic Days” from 11 to 20 September with special menus at the restaurants: Olimpo, Astuy, Campomar, Estrella del Norte and La Chata (menu information and reservations at www.feriasdeisla.es)

Arnuero is again turning to the primary sector as a lever to extend tourism activity in the final stretch of summer. On the threshold of autumn, the Trasmiera municipality launches a new edition of the Isla Fairs. This year it welcomed 10,000 visitors, and it has already gone beyond the traditional village market to take shape as an all-encompassing programme that brings together local, close-to-home products, local catering and cultural outreach in the setting of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera.

This weekend, the heart of the outdoor event was concentrated in the car park of Isla’s historic quarter. On Saturday, the 14th edition of the Vegetable Garden and Pepper Fair opened proceedings—the emblematic crop that gave rise to this initiative thirteen years ago. The following day, on Sunday, the event was taken up by the Wine Fair Costa de Cantabria, focused on wine production supported by the Protected Geographical Indication and on the region’s artisan cheeses. The event is designed to make direct sales from producer to consumer, without intermediaries, and to attract visitors interested in the origins of the food.

The town will host a new edition of “Isla Gastronomía” on 17, 18 and 20 September, with the prelude to the 1st Wine Congress of Cantabria. A new and innovative way to pair local produce with entrepreneurs and hospitality.

Isla Gastronomía will bring together gastronomic experiences, tastings, samples and activities linked to local produce, hospitality and the heritage of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera. Tickets, with limited capacity, will be made available to the public shortly. The programme will begin on Thursday 17 September with the following schedule:

Thursday 17 Sept.

18:00 hours. Opening of Isla Gastronomía and the proposal ‘The market garden–hospitality marriage’. The event will feature Juan Luis Centeno, director of the ODECA, and Emérito Astuy, who will explain his commitment to growing an Isla pepper.

19:00 hours ‘Vines that look out to the sea’, a tasting of Bodegas y Viñedos de Isla presented by winemaker Jesús Sierra and led by Rubén Pérez, president of the Cantabrian Academy of Sommellerie.

20:00 hours.   ‘Blind Ocean’, a sensory experience that will combine storytelling, music, poetry and a blind tasting of bites from the sea and the market garden. The Ecoparque team, together with Chef Juan Manuel España, head of dining room and lecturer in the Cantabria Hospitality Association,

Friday 18 September

18:00 hours. ‘A sweet story to eat up’, by Breixo Balboa and the JM Cakesss team. Their business background and their particular way of understanding cheesecake

19:00 hours. ‘Isla’s marine market garden’, a proposal by Ramón Ortiz, from Restaurante Olimpo and Conservas Mingo, which will focus on the distinctive combination of market garden produce, shellfish and Cantabrian products.

20:00 hours.  ‘The dreamt vermouth’, an experience led by Destilería Siderit and directed by David Martínez, which will allow you to learn the story of this Cantabrian company founded in 2013 and now a benchmark in the production of premium beverages.

Saturday 19 September

18:00 hours. ‘The sweetest Cantabria’ will offer a tour of traditional confectionery with Alfonso Fraile and Los Pasiegos de Diego.

19:00 hours. ‘Isla’s cauldron’ will bring together Chef Cristóbal Sierra from La Chata and Gabriel, from Bodegas Villa Carmina, in a presentation dedicated to one of the most representative dishes of Cantabrian cuisine. The recipe, made with Isla pepper, will be accompanied by Villa Carmina wines

20:00 hours. ‘At the Mill, bread and wine’, a theatrical visit to the Santa Olaja Mill by the Ecoparque team, including a wine tasting from Bodegas de Isla and local produce, such as corn cake, cheese and cured meats, and will end with a night-time view of the Marisma Joyel.

All activities have limited capacity and require booking in advance at: https://reservas.ecoparquedetrasmiera.com/ret-ferias-de-isla

The following PROGRAMME:

1st Wine Congress of Cantabria

From the Coast to Liébana. Tradition and identity in every glass

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Venue: Casa de las Mareas de Soano (Arnuero)
Organised by: El Diario Montañés – Cantabria en la Mesa

Sponsors:
• Ministry of Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria
• Arnuero Town Hall
• Office for Food Quality (Odeca)
• Trasmiera Ecopark

Programme

9:30am. Welcome by José Luis Pérez. El Diario Montañés.

9:35am. José Manuel Igual. Mayor of Arnuero.

First part, by way of a preamble

Carlos Villar. Managing Director of Bodegas Protos. Current outlook for wine in Spain.

Pachi Aguilera. Managing Director of CEOE-Cepyme Cantabria / Food and Agribusiness Office. Cantabria Brinda.

Challenges and issues to…

IGP Tierra de la Costa de Cantabria

• Carlos Recio. Bodega Casona Micaela
• Irene Rodríguez. Bodega Hortanza
• Asier Alonso. Bodega Sel D’Aiz
• Mikel Durán. Bodega Vidular
• Eva Sánchez. Bodega Casa Pago del Blanco
• José Gabriel Quintanal. Viña Carmina

Emerging projects in the IGP Costa de Cantabria

• Jorge Cañizo. Viñedos de Isla
• Juan de Miguel. Viñedos de Novales
• Edurne Sánchez. Bodega Liaño Sánchez

IGP Tierra de Liébana

• Javier Blanco. Bodega Picos de Cabariezo
• Ángel Moreno / Víctor García. Sierra del Oso
• Roberto del Campo. Bodega Cayo

Wine in the hospitality sector and the case of Cantabria

• Elvira Abascal. Restaurante El Nuevo Molino
• Leticia Vila. Restaurante Lumen Faro Santander
• Rodrigo Prieto. Unicorn Wines
• Antonio Casares. Leioa School of Hospitality
• Emérito Astuy. Hotel Astuy

Break and coffee

Recognition ‘A life among vineyards’ for a prominent figure in the sector.

Ways of looking to the future

The promotion of an emerging quality label.

• Rafael Blanco. Chairman of the Regulatory Council of the Denominación de Origen León

Wines in Valderredible.

• Guillermo and Gustavo Lucio. Camesía Bodegas del Alto Ebro

History and recovery of wines in Suances.

• Pablo Oria and Raúl Gómez Tresgallo

Resilient varieties. Experimental project.

• Antonio del Campo. Bodega Bahía de Santander

Technical advice for the vineyard.

• Juan Manuel Torres. Aregón

Enotourism: an opportunity to showcase Cantabria’s wineries.

• Eulogio Fernández. Bodega Miradorio
• Javier Blanco. Bodega Picos de Cabariezo
• Antonio del Campo. Bodega Bahía de Santander

Close

2:15pm. María Jesús Susinos. Minister of Rural Development, Livestock, Fisheries and Food. Government of Cantabria.

Arnuero municipality kicks off September with a month steeped in flavour, tradition and culinary innovation. With the characteristic red of the pepper and the gold of local wines as the main stars, the council aims to establish the Isla Vegetable and Pepper Fair as a major driving event for the primary sector, closely linked to tourism and the service sector.

Following the success of previous editions, which managed to bring together thousands of visitors drawn by the authentic pepper from Isla, this year there will be a significant leap in quality. The goal is to turn what was originally a rural celebration into a social, economic and cultural event lasting longer, structured through an ambitious programme of activities.

The weekend of the Fairs: Pepper, Wine and Tradition

The main activity will take place during the second weekend of September, splitting the spotlight between the best products from the land and the local vineyards.

Saturday, 12 September: The Day of the Pepper

• • Market of the Vegetable Garden (10:00 to 20:00 h.): The historic centre will host more than 80 stalls with a wide selection of cheeses, breads, cured meats, dairy products and items with a protected designation of origin or quality brand.
  • Culture and Leisure: The day will feature regional dances at 13:00 h., live live displays of log carving, family play areas, and a children’s painting competition.
  • People’s Voting: Attendees themselves will decide, by voting, the award for the Best Pepper of the Fair.

Sunday, 13 September: The celebration of Wine

• • Wine Fair (10:00 to 16:00 h.): On Sunday, the IGP Vinos Costa de Cantabria will be promoted: a wine-growing activity that returned with force in the town six years ago.
  • Ferroviary Pots: The traditional food contest will be held this time dedicated to local beans (blanca and carico) and pepper.
  • Active Tourism: Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards, vegetable plots and the historic centre, as well as purchase a tasting voucher that includes a glass of wine and a tapa of cheese or beans.

Mobility guaranteed: To help keep the flow of visitors moving, the organisers will provide a free public transport service every 30 minutes connecting the Isla Playa area (Quejo) with the Historic Centre throughout the opening hours of the fairs.

Innovation and debates at the 1st Wine Congress of Cantabria

The big new feature this year will take place on Thursday, 17 September at the Casa de Mareas de Soano (Ecopark of Trasmiera), where the first edition of the Wine Congress of Cantabria will be inaugurated. This forum, organised in collaboration with the Department for Rural Development, the ODECA and Diario Montañés, will bring together the main representatives from the regional and national wine-growing sector in round-table discussions and specialist talks.

This congress will also serve as a launchpad for “Isla Gastronomic” (from 17 to 19 September), a cycle of micro-events with limited capacity designed to delve into the challenges faced by local producers. The programme will blend kilometre-zero gastronomy with nature through demonstrations by well-known Cantabrian chefs, blind musical tastings, and staged visits to the historic Molino de Santa Olaja.

Hispania Nostra will inaugurate on 27 August at 20:00 in the Casa de Mareas de Arnuero the commemorative exhibition marking its 50th anniversary. The exhibition spans half a century of the association’s work in the defence, conservation and enhancement of Spain’s cultural and natural heritage.

The exhibition, which began its itinerant run after its presentation in Madrid, will arrive in Cantabria with the aim of bringing the story of Hispania Nostra and the principles that have guided its activities since its founding closer to the public: viewing heritage as a shared wealth, the participation of society in its protection, and the need to pass this commitment on to new generations.

The opening will feature the participation of Araceli Pereda, Chair of Hispania Nostra, who will present the content and objectives of an initiative that invites reflection on heritage as shared memory, collective responsibility and a tool for understanding the present.

Under the title “Hispania Nostra. 50 years committed to heritage”, the exhibition allows visitors to learn about how defence of heritage in Spain has evolved and the role played by civil society, institutions and local associations in its conservation.

The exhibition gives a leading role to some of Hispania Nostra’s most representative initiatives, reflecting the association’s ability to build bridges between citizens, public administrations and organisations committed to protecting cultural and natural legacy.

Among them is the Red List of Heritage, created in 2007 as a tool for social participation to identify and make visible cultural and natural assets at risk of disappearance, destruction or alteration of their values. Through this initiative, Hispania Nostra seeks to set in motion a call to action that will help protect and recover them.

The exhibition also traces the history of the Hispania Nostra Awards for Good Practices, which recognise exemplary, innovative and sustainable interventions in the field of heritage. Among the awardees is the Ecoparque de Trasmiera in Arnuero, winner of the Hispania Nostra Award 2012, and Europa Nostra 2014. These awards highlight projects that are capable of demonstrating that conservation can become a benchmark for the future and a living expression of society’s commitment to its legacy.

Its arrival in Arnuero will bring this journey to new audiences and continue to raise awareness of the importance of preserving heritage that belongs to the whole of society.

Today and tomorrow the Unusual shows continue, which have already sold out tickets since last week, with the concert in the vineyards of Bodegas de Isla and Trío Malecón, which will include a Latin Jazz repertoire, to accompany the tasting of wines from the island winery along with some local aperitifs. Tomorrow we head to Castillo, where we’ll begin with a visit to the SAT Disama livestock housing—an surprising visit to cutting-edge facilities where all processes are digitised, and the cows that listen to music have assisted ventilation, automatic scratchers, and are milked when they feel the need. The programme is rounded out with the concert next to the hermitage of San Juan by La Flaca de Beat, the Cantabrian group that will offer a very jazz-like repertoire with swing notes, featuring original songs as well as some classics.

On Thursday, the main concerts begin in the historic centre of Isla. A truly beautiful cultural setting, where you can pay more attention to the music in more classic concert formats, with top-tier bands. Here, the presence of musicians with long careers stands out, in line-ups where quality and good workmanship shine through. The latest tickets available will very probably sell out in no time. However, for these concerts there is the possibility of trying to find a ticket on the same day, although there is no guarantee of having a seat.

This part of Isla Jazz 2026 starts with the concert by Erwyn Seerutton and the BIG BAND Santander, a formation of 14 musicians led on this occasion by the singer, musician and composer Erwyn Seerutton from Mauritius, with an extensive musical career in the world of Jazz, Gospel & Black Spirituals, Soul, Funk. He will be accompanied by a strong Big Band featuring notable and experienced Cantabrian musicians.

On Friday, it’s the turn of the Asturian band The Soulers, who do SOUL, but don’t just stick to it according to the rules. Their references are the great names in the style: from the rhythm & blues of Etta James or the polished charm of the Supremes, to the gospel of Aretha Franklin or the energy of Sam Cooke, with the electrifying shows of James Brown and the reinvention proposed by Michael Jackson. They will also present original songs from their first prize-winning album at the AMAS awards.

We close the main stage with a legendary band closely tied to the Festival, since they’ve repeated on several occasions and are always called back by the Isla Jazz follower audience. We’re talking about Soul City, which, with nine musicians and three singers, offers a true, vibrant, highly danceable show, with classics from all eras such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder

Alongside the main concerts, on Thursday and Saturday the Gastro Jazz experience is offered, with a visit to the historic centre of Isla, vineyards and market gardens. Thanks to our silent system headphones, the public can take a guided tour of this cultural setting, brought to life by a soundtrack that tells the story of this musical style.

We wrap up an intense week of Jazz: on the 9th, with our “Jazz Marinero”. The great themes of Jazz will accompany us on a lovely walk along the coastline of Quejo, where we’ll visit the old lobster hatcheries—today natural pools—and discover some of the most long-forgotten traditions, such as whale fishing off our coasts. We’ll continue with a visit to the lobster hatchery at the Astuy restaurant, coinciding with the fact that this venue also hosts the concert by Black Grooves, to finish with a memorable experience.

Once again, CIMCA took place at the beginning of summer, in a new edition that is even more ambitious and continues to make this music competition one of the best in Spain, with the participation of ensembles of great quality and a strong international character, which consolidate in this competition their path in musical performance.

We have experienced a competition of extremely high quality, with ensembles that can boast a lengthy track record of major awards, and that come to Arnuero from different parts of Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona or San Sebastián, as well as from abroad, from London, Paris and Basiela.

As a prelude to the competition phase, on Friday 3 July there was an excellent opening concert with the absolute premiere of the work “Trío V” by José Manuel López López, an order from the Arnuero Town Hall for the XXIII International Chamber Music Competition of Arnuero (CIMCA 2026). José Manuel López López, a prominent composer of well-known international prestige, composed the work “Trío V” for clarinet, cello and piano so that its premiere would take place at the opening concert of CIMCA 2026. The concert, whose performance was carried out by Carlos Apellániz on the piano, David Apellániz on the cello, Luis Fernández Castelló on the clarinet and Juan Luis Gallego on the violin, had the following complete programme:

• Trio for clarinet, cello and piano. Antonio Gómez Schneekloth
• Fantasiestücke op. 43 for clarinet and piano. Niels Gade
• Trío V for clarinet, cello and piano (absolute premiere). José Manuel López López
• Trio No. 2 Op. 67 for violin, cello and piano. Dimitri Shostakovich

Once the initial selection phase had been completed, which each year the Jury carries out by assessing the videos submitted by twenty ensembles from very diverse locations around the world, the eight chosen were determined to take part in the live audition classification phase on Saturday, and from these, only four formations went through to the grand final.

The ensembles that took part in the classification phase on Saturday were:

• Mirage Dúo: piano four-hands, from Frankfurt
• Dúo Ariassaiz: piano and cello, from Santander
• Rem Dúo: piano and violin, from Rome
• Artaika Trío: piano, violin and cello, from Paris
• Trío Brissa da Camera: piano, clarinet and cello, from Castellón
• A Delta Trío: trio of saxophones, from Basilea
• Óxigen Quartet: quartet of saxophones, from Musikene
• Celanova Brass: brass wind quintet, from Ourense and A Coruña

After the grand final, the result was as follows:

First prize: “Artaika Trío” for the performance of “Trío en la menor de Maurice Ravel”. Ensemble formed by Loubna Kammarti, violin, Lou Hantaï, cello, and John Argelès, piano, from the Conservatoire Superior of Paris. Prize of 3,000 euros, diploma and a paid concert at the Centro Botín in Santander.

Second prize: “ Brisa de Camera”, for the performance of “Trío para clarinete, violonchelo y piano en La menor” by Brahms. Ensemble from the Conservatoire of Castellón, formed by Izan Llinares, clarinet, Ángela Domínguez, cello, and Fernando Alarcón, piano. Prize of 2,000 euros, diploma and a paid concert within the Marcos Históricos series of the International Festival of Santander.

“Ricardo Hontañón” Award for the best performance of a work written after 1945 by “Artaika Trío”. Prize of 1,000 euros and diploma.

Jesús de Monasterio Award for the most outstanding violinist for Loubna Kammarti, from the group ” Artaika Trío”. Award consisting of a diploma and concert, sponsored by the Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo, at the Casa Museo Jesús de Monasterio.

Award for the best ensemble with roots in Cantabria for Dúo Ariassaiz: formed by Pedro Arias, cello, and María Teresa Saiz, piano, from Santander.

The finalists of the XXII CIMCA who did not win a prize were:

“A Delta Trío” from Basilea, who performed “Suite for Wind trío” by Alexandre Transman.

“Mirage Dúo”, piano four-hands, from Frankfurt, who performed “Rhapsodie espagnole“ by Maurice Ravel.

CIMCA 2026 will keep the two-stage selection process: a first online phase to select finalist ensembles through the videos submitted by them, and a second in-person stage with qualifying auditions and the grand Final, to which a limited number of four ensembles will be admitted. During the month of May, the Jury will review all submitted videos and carry out the first selection of 8 groups, which will then take part in person in the final phase.

CIMCA 2026 will be accompanied by a spectacular programme, turning this event into a unique occasion within the world of chamber music.

On Friday 3 July, the Casa de las Mareas will host the opening concert by the members of the jury, with the premiere of a commissioned work for the competition, composed by its chair, José Manuel López López. After that, the running order of the participating ensembles in the final phase of the Competition will be drawn.

On Saturday 4 July, qualifying auditions will be held at Casa de las Mareas, and on Sunday 5 July, the grand Final will take place in the same venue.

These are the main dates to keep in mind:

REGISTRATION: 12 January to 30 April 2026. Documentation and a performance video must be provided.

PRESELECTION (non-face-to-face): May 2026. The Jury will assess the videos without in-person meetings and will determine the ensembles (maximum 8) that will take part in the in-person phase of qualifying auditions.

OPENING CONCERT with the premiere of the work by José Manuel López López performed by the jury:        3 July 2026, 20:00. Casa de las Mareas (Soano).

QUALIFYING AUDITIONS: 4 July 2026. (In person – Maximum 8 groups)

GRAND FINAL: Casa de las Mareas (Soano) 5 July 2026, 18:00. (In person – Maximum 4 groups).

The Competition is endowed with the following awards:

FIRST PRIZE: €3,000 and an accreditation diploma, plus a remunerated concert in the “Ciclo creando futuros” of the Centro Botín.

SECOND PRIZE: €2,000 and an accreditation diploma, plus a remunerated concert in the programme “Marcos Históricos” of the International Festival of Santander.

«Ricardo Hontañón» Prize: €1,000 and a diploma,

«Jesús de Monasterio» Prize for the most outstanding violinist: Diploma and Concert, sponsored by the Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo.

Prize for the most outstanding Cantabrian group: Diploma and Concert at the Semana Inusual de la Música of the Conservatorio de Música “Jesús de Monasterio” in Santander, and a remunerated concert in the series “CASYC Young performers” organised by the Fundación Caja Cantabria.

The XXIII CIMCA has the support of the Centro Botín, the International Festival of Santander, the Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo, the Fundación Caja Cantabria and the Conservatorio de Música Jesús de Monasterio. With these partnerships, the CIMCA’s goal is fulfilled: to serve as a platform for contestants to kick-start their musical careers by offering them concerts in the best chamber music venues in Cantabria.

The age limit for competing remains set at 28 years, since this better fits the objective of promoting young performers: understanding that at that age they will already have received the appropriate training so that, even as young people, they can establish themselves as new values in musical interpretation.

For more information about registration: 0034-942677041 and email: amargallo@ayuntamientoarnuero.org  (Antonio).

Full rules and online registration on the website: https://www.concursomusicaarnuero.es/

Along these lines, the presentation that took place at FITUR 2026 was called “Ecoparque, Coastal charm among marshlands and heritage”, through which the public at the Cantabria Stand was shown a virtual journey that moved from the past towards the present, conveying how, through modernity, it has been possible to safeguard a culture, a landscape and a unique identity of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera.

The Ecoparque is addressing a third stage in its development, almost coinciding with its third decade of existence, and which aims to differentiate itself from the previous two precisely by putting the focus on offering residents and visitors cultural, natural and emotional experiences that complete the municipality’s splendid natural setting. While during the first decade of this century work was carried out on the restoration of natural spaces and the rehabilitation of cultural heritage, and during the second decade the Interpretation Centres and various cultural programmes were launched, in this third stage there is a strong push to connect with people through proposals and experiences rooted in the history and culture of the municipality. We could therefore talk about the Fairs of the Pepper and of the Wine of Isla and their appendix of gastro experiences in Isla Gastronómica, exciting experiences such as the dramatized staging of several visits to heritage sites or nature routes, and sensory experiences such as blind tastings or musical walks in which to discover our tradition and our nature. In this way, each tourist season the Ecoparque has been adding to the more traditional offering, a range of proposals that seek better connections with people, greater closeness to our territory and its traditions, modernisation through new technologies, and management of limited capacity through digitalisation.

Arnuero has set a clear direction in its commitment to a sustainable tourism model by strengthening a large network of green infrastructure that will become a network of Centres, footpaths, recreational areas, areas for physical activity and opportunities for contemplation. A complete connection with nature, to explore on foot or by bike. By opting for mobility with less impact and greater energy efficiency, which together with sensory and knowledge-based experiences offer a welcoming territory to live in and visit, in line with the slogan adopted in recent years: “Ecoparque, Vitamin Territory”

The presentation took place on Thursday 23 January at 18:00 at the Cantabria Stand, and alongside the municipal authorities, some members of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera team took part.

At the Ecoparque of Trasmiera, we propose a plan that has it all. You decide the order that best suits your preferences: whether to go to the beach in the morning or save it for the afternoon. But during the central hours, there are two must-attend appointments:

–Between 11:00 and 16:00 you can enjoy everything offered by the Wine Fair Costa de Cantabria. Some wineries from the IGP Costa de Cantabria will be accompanied by handmade cheesemakers and other stalls selling Cantabria products that pair wonderfully with our wines, and we’ll also have stalls from Isla’s farmers with their peppers and the rest of the market-garden produce. We’ll also feature the Contest of Ferroviarias Pots, which will focus on Isla beans, both the white and the carico. As the idea is that you can sample and try everything, at the Fair you can buy the vouchers for just €1, which will let you enjoy a tasting of one of the wines, or sample a small bean stew, or take some cheese bites or other products. You can try as many wines, cheeses and beans as you like at the incredible price of €1 per tasting.

We’ll have a parallel programme of activities, such as guided visits to the historic centre of Isla (11:30 and 13:00) with our Silent System headsets so you don’t miss a detail of our monumental heritage and the curiosities of Isla’s orchards and vineyards. There will be background music, raffles, and the Fair bar where you can round off a great aperitif.

-But you’ll also need to make time to go and have one of the menus/small portions/Fair tapas offered at different catering establishments in the municipality. Check the link above for all the available options from 12 to 21 September.

In the evening, a visit to one of our spectacular beaches, or an Ecoparque route, can be the perfect way to finish a pre-holiday Sunday. So get your things together and head to Isla to enjoy the best end-of-summer package, at your own pace and your own way. We’ll be waiting for you!

And we want to offer you an irresistible plan around our beloved Pimiento Fair of Isla.

If you’re one of those who come with lots of enthusiasm to buy the best Pimiento de Isla and other produce from the huerta, you’ll need to be an early bird, because the specialists in that are, and sales of this product begin as soon as the Fair starts—around 10:00 to 10:30am. Right before the Fair streets are packed with people, you’ll have the chance to see the stalls properly and decide who has the best products at the best price, although when it comes to peppers prices are usually fairly uniform depending on size. After that, a walk around all the stalls is inevitable, because you’ll find the widest range of Cantabrian products with the best producers from the region, who will be accompanied by stalls selling handicrafts, books, costume jewellery and all kinds of other interesting things.

But it won’t all be about shopping. Throughout the day, we’ll offer you different entertainment activities to suit all tastes. So don’t miss the programme we put down at the bottom in case you’re interested in taking part with the little ones in the children’s painting contest, or enjoying the dances of Isla, such as cutting logs live…

If you’ve come early in the morning, and had something at the Fair Bar, surely from 2:30pm onwards your body will be asking for lunch properly—and for that we have 8 establishments in the municipality that offer you Fair menus/rations/snacks, so check the link above and book in advance, because on this day we’re fully booked. The “Tasting Our Huerta” Food Days will be running from 12 to 21 September, and you can try different styles to sample genuine local produce in various preparations. Then you can make the most of the last rays of summer sun by having a swim in our beaches or simply doing one of our hiking routes. Shall we let you have a suggestion? The most natural for the occasion is a visit to the cliffs of Isla, see an impressive landscape on a route of just a few kilometres, where the cliff crags, the Bay of Biscay and the fields create a natural spectacle like no other.

If the idea is to come later because you’re not in such a rush to get hold of the best Pimiento de Isla, don’t worry—throughout the day you’ll always find good produce from the huerta and from other producers. Cheeses, wines, beers, honey, blueberries, bread, and lots of products always available. In this case you can organise your plan differently: start the morning with the beach swim or the route, then stop by the Fair for a while before lunch, take a break to enjoy an excellent menu, and return to the Fair to finish off your visit—or enjoy some of the afternoon activities like cutting logs live or the final Fair party.

So, a full plan that always includes the Fair, but which is complemented by a good meal and activities in nature, beaches and hiking. You won’t beat it!

PROGRAMME OF THE PIMIENTO FAIR OF ISLA

13 September 2025 from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

• Huerta and Pimiento Market of Isla.
• Agri-food products from Cantabria with a protected designation of origin, quality mark, organic or traditional (more than 30 stalls with a wide range of cheeses, wines, bread, cured meats, dairy products, desserts, etc…).
• Complementary area for handicrafts and books from Cantabria.
• Area for family games and children’s workshops in the new square of the historic centre.
• Dances of Isla and regional dances (at 1pm.)
• Prize for the best Pimiento of the Fair by public vote (all day)
• Children’s Painting Contest. Topic: “Pimiento Fair of Isla” (From 11:30am.).
• Cutting logs live (5pm.).
• Final Fair party with live music (8pm to 9pm)

Historic Centre – Quejo Transport

On the day of the Fair, there will be public transport to connect Isla Playa with the Historic Centre of Isla from the beginning until the Fair closes (every 30 minutes or so). Specific times at the designated stops in Quejo (Campo San Sebastián) and at Casco Htco. Isla.

Arnuero has turned September into a month for enjoying the Ecopark of Trasmiera, the beaches of Isla, the scenery and nature, and of course the extraordinary cuisine that comes from the stoves of the magnificent local restaurants. Since already thirteen years ago, it will begin with the first edition of the Isla Pepper Fair, its commitment to the primary sector and tourism has been growing exponentially, to the point that today the activity that is generatedaround the Isla Fairs is a benchmark in terms of a commitment to sustainable tourism and the promotion of local producers.

Tomorrow, Saturday 13 September, an ambitious programme begins linking rural development and traditional production with gastronomic and experience-based tourism, and which runs through to the start of autumn. To whet your appetite, this weekend Arnuero pays tribute to the market garden and the agricultural sector with the classic ‘Isla Pepper Fair of Isl

a’ which tomorrow will mark its thirteenth edition, establishing itself as a major driving event for the primary sector, but with strong links to the services sector and the tourism offering.

The day after, Sunday 14, will see the arrival of the third edition of the Wine Fair of Costa de Cantabria, continuing an event that in recent years was a success and which today is the biggest promotion initiative for the IGP Vinos Tierra Costa de Cantabria, betting on a sector on the rise. In Isla, there is a leading winery whose wines have quickly positioned themselves as great value wines, winners of important awards, and which aims to be a showcase for the many wineries that have sprung up in recent years under this IGP.

What’s more, in this edition progress has been made with experience-led proposals featuring ‘Isla Gastronomica’, as an unmistakeable way to attract tourism lovers of tranquillity, great food and cultural experiences. An event that combines an excellent offering of fair menus, pinchos and portions, within the Gastronomic Days from 12 to 21 September, provided by nine establishments in the municipality, and an event that hosts the Casa de las Mareas de Soano on the 18, 19 and 20 September, with very special experiences to meet entrepreneurs, wines, cheeses, market garden produce and local artisans, along with or in the form of gastro-cultural proposals.

GASTRO EXPERIENCES

On the 18, 19 and 20 September (from 18:00 h. at the Casa de Mareas de Soano), three experiences will take place, in which tastings of tapas based on local produce will be alternated, alongside several Cantabrian chefs. There will also be wine tastings with some wineries from the IPG and pairing with other artisan products.

Presentations  by local entrepreneurs and producers, all sprinkled with some of the most vibrant Ecopark experiences, such as a theatrical tour of the Molino de Santa Olaja with a tasting of products, or the sensory experience of a blind musical tasting.

Day 18 will start by focusing on the produce from Isla’s market garden, beginning with the presentation of a producer of Isla peppers, who has started an entrepreneurship venture in registered preserves of this product and a tasting of his peppers in different preparations by “La Huerta de Chaves”. Secondly, we’ll have our “Blind Ocean”, a sensory tasting experience of blind appetisers with market garden produce and the sea, run by the Ecopark Team and Chef Gonzalo Diestro from the Carolinas. He will also round off the day with the presentation of the Wine Fair Tapa, which we will pair with the presentation of two wines from the Casona Micaela winery of the IGP Tierra Costa de Cantabria.

Day 19 the experiences offering will centre on a tasting of Dromedario coffees “the coffee game”. Next, there will be a theatrical guided tour of the Molino de Santa Olaja with a tasting of Isla wine and traditional tapas, and we’ll finish with the presentation of the Pepper Fair Tapa with market garden produce by Cristóbal Sierra, Chef of Asador La Chata, accompanied by the tasting of two wines from Bodegas de Isla

Saturday 20, we kick off the experiences with the presentation of the iconic artisan beer company “Cervezas Dougalls” and the cheese producer La Pasiega de Peña Pelada with a combined tasting of some beers and cheeses. Next, there will be a tasting of natural cider and other products derived from apples by 45 Amigos, which will be paired with artisan cheeses from Granja Cudaña. To finish, we’ll also have the presentation of a “montañés stew tapa with a wink” led by Alfonso Fraile, President of the Cofradía del cocido montañés, accompanied by the Chef from Hotel Astuy, Arsenio Pérez Torre.

GASTRONOMIC DAYS “Tasting Our Market Garden”

From 12 to 21 September, various establishments in the municipality join in to boost the Isla Fairs offering by providing menus, portions or fair pinchos, which can be consulted on the website www.feriasdeisla.es

They will offer special fair menus at the hotel Astuy, hotel Campomar, hotel Estrella del Norte, hostería San Emeterio, restaurant asador La Chata, hotel Olimpo.

Meanwhile, as a new addition, the offering of fair pinchos or tapas is brought in at the Arena Vibes Camping Bar and Mesón el Centro establishments.

PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY OF THE ISLA PEPPER FAIR

13 September 2025 from 10:00 to 21:00 h.

• Market Garden and Isla Pepper Market.
• Agri-food products from Cantabria with a protected designation of origin, quality mark, organic or traditional (more than 30 stalls with a wide range of cheeses, wines, bread, cured meats, dairy products, desserts, etc.).
• Complementary area for crafts and books from Cantabria.
• Area for family games and children’s workshops in the new square in the historic quarter.
• Dances of Isla and regional dances (13 h.)
• Award for the best Pepper at the Fair by public vote
• Children’s Painting Competition. Theme: “Isla Pepper Fair”.
• Live log carving.
• End-of-Fair Party with live music (20 to 22 h.)

PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY OF THE COSTA DE CANTABRIA WINE FAIR

14 September 2025 from 10:00 to 16:00 h.

• Market Garden and Isla Pepper Market.
• IGP Wineries Vinos Costa de Cantabria.
• Artisan cheesemakers
• Guided visits to the historic quarter of Isla, vineyards and market gardens.
• Musical entertainment and leisure activities.
• 4th Ollas Ferroviarias Competition.
• Tasting voucher, with a glass and/or casserole dish for wine tastings and a cheese or bean tapa

 Historic Quarter – Quejo Transport

During the days of the Fairs, there will be public transport to connect Isla Playa with the Historic Quarter of Isla from the start until the Fairs close (every 30 minutes or so). Specific times at the stops provided in Quejo (Campo San Sebastián) and in Casco Htco. Isla.

The Arnuero Town Hall intends to turn the month of September into a celebration of local produce and gastronomy, trying to gradually transform “the Isla Pepper Fair” into a major driving event for the primary sector, but with strong links to the services sector and the tourism offering. To do this, it has opted to take on a broader programme of activities, continuing the Feria del Vino Costa de Cantabria, with the aim of promoting activity linked to wine and vineyards, which returned to Isla about six years ago. With this Fair, we aim to provide a meeting point and a showcase for the many wineries that have been established in recent years and that fall under the IGP “Vinos Costa de Cantabria”.

So a month begins in September that will flood the municipality of Arnuero with the red of the pepper and the golden of the wines that, for just a few years now, are produced with high quality in this coastal town. A month to come and enjoy the beaches, nature, the Ecoparque and, of course, the extraordinary gastronomy served from the stoves of the excellent local restaurants.

This year, experiences will be offered again that will link gastronomy with rural entrepreneurship, nature and leisure, with the aim of presenting the best of this vitamin-rich territory, which is the Ecoparque de Trasmiera. Thus, the week after the Fairs, we will have 3 days with numerous experiences that will bring together tastings, sample servings, cookery demonstrations, pairings, cultural and sensory experiences—each one using the products of the land as the connecting thread.

XIII ISLA PEPPER FAIR and III COSTA DE CANTABRIA WINE FAIR. GASTRONOMIC ISLA.

After becoming established as a leading Fair in Cantabria, drawing thousands of visitors each year who are attracted by the unique opportunity to buy the authentic Isla pepper, while always maintaining excellent sales performance, this year has opted for growth and for setting the foundations to gradually turn the original fair into a major event.

This year, the Arnuero Town Hall presents significant new features with the intention of making a quality leap in the future, with the goal of transforming what began as a rural fair into a major social, economic, gastronomic and cultural event. To do this, the new features expected to grow over the coming years were outlined in 2024, in order to create a framework for social and economic activity lasting longer than just a single day of fair.

The most important commitment will be the 3rd Costa de Cantabria Wine Fair, one day after the Isla Pepper Fair, in which the local farmers will again be involved, and the presence of a dozen wineries from the IGP is expected, accompanied by artisan cheesemakers and some other artisan products. Within the scope of this fair, the traditional Contest of Railway Pots, dedicated to local beans (both white and carico) and to pepper, is maintained.

Also as a new feature, the Fairs will have a subsequent programme, Gastronomic Isla, which aims to deepen knowledge of local products through talks, tastings, pairings, and food demonstrations. Designed as micro-events and aimed at a very limited capacity. These events aim to expand knowledge of products, their development, and the problems facing local producers.