The City Council of Oviedo on 18 September 2026 issued a decision rejecting the requested extension of the permitted hours for the stage, set-up and dismantling, and loading and unloading in Plaza de la Catedral for a concert planned by Asturias Acoge on Saturday. The decision is based on reports from the Policía Local, the Servicio de Extinción de Incendios y Salvamento and the Protección Civil, which the local authority cites in its decision.
According to these assessments, the date clashes with major events already approved, including the Desfile del Día de América en Asturias as well as other events in the San Mateo celebrations, which are expected to draw large crowds to the city centre. Police anticipate heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Saturday evening and criticise the organisers for failing to provide an expected attendance figure. The fire service says there is insufficient information about the equipment and arrangements for set-up and dismantling, and how these fit into existing emergency plans. Protección Civil notes that no Plan de autoprotección setting out evacuation and rescue routes was submitted.
The department head for Juventud, Festejos y Centros Sociales, represented by Covadonga Díaz, stresses that the rejection applies only to the requested extension of hours at this location; activities already approved are unaffected. The decision also leaves open the possibility of resubmitting the proposal with more precise planning for an alternative site outside the festival area. The application would need to specify the location, time slot, expected attendance and technical requirements.
The decision comes during a packed programme of the Festividad de San Mateo, with municipal and cultural events and the Día de América en Asturias expected to draw above-average crowds on 19 September. The professional assessments by the Policía Local, the Servicio de Extinción de Incendios y Salvamento and Protección Civil cited by the city council are documented as the grounds for the resolution. The city makes no predictions about possible alternative dates or venues; instead, it calls on Asturias Acoge to submit a new, early and detailed application.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).