Fiesta del Chopo (Poplar Tree Festival)

Published Sunday, June 15, 2025

The festivities in honor of San Juan Bautista, patron saint of Cortelazor, represent one of the most special moments of the year in our village. From June 20th to 22nd, the streets are filled with music, tradition, and the community spirit that characterizes us.

The Chopo Festival

The Heart of Our Traditions

The Chopo Festival is undoubtedly the most emblematic event of these celebrations. This tradition of Celtic origin is celebrated coinciding with the summer solstice night, keeping alive a custom that connects us with our deepest roots.

The Chopo Ritual

The festivity begins with a community excursion to the forests surrounding our village, where grows the protagonist of the celebration: the tallest poplar tree we can find. These majestic trees, which grow on the banks of rivers and streams, are carefully selected by the participants.

Once the perfect tree is chosen, it is felled with an axe following ancestral tradition. But here comes the most exciting part: carrying the poplar on our shoulders to the center of the village. This journey becomes a true mobile celebration, enlivened with music, dances, and the contagious joy of all participants.

The final destination of the poplar is the church tower, where it is placed as a symbol of renewal and celebration, thus marking the official beginning of the patron saint festivities.

2025 Festival Program

Friday, June 20th - 8:00 PM

• Religious service and mass dedicated to Patron Saint San Juan Bautista, officiated by parish priest Fr. Marco Antonio Araiza Asencio
• Performance by the Adersa 2 children's choir from Cortelazor
• Sale of homemade sweets and patron saint items

Saturday, June 21st - Chopo Festival

• 6:00 PM: Departure to the poplar from Plaza de Andalucía with refreshing drinks
• On the return, we'll be accompanied by the "Pimentada Brass Band" from the Painting Museum to Plaza de Andalucía
• Organized by the Most Excellent Town Council of Cortelazor
• During the evening there will be a bingo game for the benefit of the brotherhood

Sunday, June 22nd - 10:00 AM

• Holy mass in honor of San Juan Bautista and adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
• Officiated by parish priest Fr. Marco Antonio Araiza Asencio
• Grand procession of San Juan Bautista and the Most Holy Sacrament
• Musical accompaniment by the El Cerro Band

Gastronomy and Entertainment

Mesón El Maño

During June 21st and 22nd, the Mesón El Maño will offer special food to complement the celebrations. A perfect opportunity to taste traditional flavors while enjoying the festivities.

You can savor delicacies like shrimp canapés, picadillo, seasoned peppers, and sardines. And as always, very cold beers!

Mesón El Matadero - Blues Rock Night

On Saturday, June 21st starting at 11:00 PM, the Mesón El Matadero will become the perfect stage for music lovers with the concert by blues rock band EX3. An evening that promises rhythm and good music to close the day of celebrations.

A Celebration for Everyone

The festivities of San Juan Bautista in Cortelazor are much more than a religious celebration; they are a moment of community gathering where bonds between neighbors are strengthened and traditions are passed down from generation to generation.

The Sacramental Brotherhood of Our Lady of Los Remedios and San Juan Bautista wishes all participants a happy patron saint festival, inviting the entire community to be part of this unique celebration.

Practical Information

• Official t-shirt sales at the Town Hall and in public establishments
• All activities are free and open to participation
• Comfortable clothing is recommended for the poplar excursion

Come and experience the magic of our traditions! The festivities of San Juan Bautista await you with open arms to be part of this ancestral celebration that renews the spirit of Cortelazor every year.