La Penilla Chocolate Fair
In Santa María de Cayón, the La Penilla Chocolate Fair has become a gathering place for those who enjoy local products, crafts, and the region’s cuisine. Each edition brings together vendors and visitors seeking quality and a sense of community. Visitors to the La Penilla Chocolate Fair get a true sense of the local life in Santa María de Cayón. That’s a great reason to include this market in Santa María de Cayón in any itinerary for the area.
What will I find at this market?
General, Food, Fruits and Vegetables
Everything You Need to Know
Get to Know the Market
A little background
he origins of the La Penilla Chocolate Fair date back to the 1960s, when farmers and craftsmen from the region would travel to the town of Santa María de Cayón to trade and sell their products. As in so many other municipalities in Cantabria, itinerant trade emerged in tandem with the agricultural calendar and livestock fairs, establishing itself over generations as one of the town’s most important social and economic gatherings.
With the arrival of the 21st century and the economic transformation of rural areas, the occasional market in Santa María de Cayón evolved: it gave way to large textile and footwear stalls, incorporated vendors from other provinces, and became professionalized under municipal regulations. Many of today’s market traders are third- or fourth-generation members of families who have been attending this event for decades, maintaining a direct connection to the town’s commercial fabric.
Today, the La Penilla Chocolate Fair maintains that popular essence while adapting to new trends: organic products, contemporary crafts, local cuisine, and a close relationship with consumers that large shopping centers cannot offer. The town council and the vendors’ association work together to preserve its traditional character in the heart of Santa María de Cayón.
How to Find the Market
Who's in the market?
There are currently no vendors with valid authorization in this market.
Coming Soon
The list of vendors will appear here as soon as the first valid authorizations are granted.
A unique experience
Tradition and Experience
A historic market, organized by the City Council with all the necessary safeguards.
Wide variety
Dozens of street vendors selling local products, handicrafts, and more.
Unique Setting
Enjoy the town's atmosphere and get to know the local shopkeepers.
Easy access
Well-connected and with a parking area nearby.
How to Get There and Park
Parking, public transportation, and services near the market.
⏱ Estimated time: 60–120 min
Where can I park?
How do I get there by public transportation?
You can park at Posada Julia (8 min on foot, 648 m away) or take train from Parbayón (the stop is 18 min on foot, 1424 m away).
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♿ Accessibility for People with Limited Mobility
Market status regarding accessible ramps, restrooms, and parking.
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Nearby markets
Other markets located near this one due to their geographical proximity.
How to Get a Stall at the La Penilla Chocolate Fair
Would you like to set up a stall at the La Penilla Chocolate Fair market, located at Santa María de Cayón? To sell as a street vendor, you need a municipal street vending permit or license: this is issued by the town council, not the market itself, and typically requires that you be registered as a self-employed individual or a business, be in good standing with the tax authorities and Social Security, and have liability insurance that covers the stall.
La Penilla Chocolate Fair is held on variable number of days. The exact fee is set by the Santa María de Cayón town council; please check it before submitting your application.
Applications are submitted to the town council, usually online or in person, and may be granted directly (if there are open stalls) or through a public call for stall applications with a waiting list when demand exceeds the number of available stalls. You can download the municipal ordinance on street vending from Santa María de Cayón (check the town council’s official website to make sure it’s still in effect, in case it has been updated).
You can contact the Santa María de Cayón town council at ayuntamiento@santamariadecayon.es.
- Contact the town council's commerce or markets department
- Gather the necessary documentation: registration as a self-employed individual or business, proof of being up to date with the tax authorities and Social Security, and liability insurance
- Submit the application for a street vending permit (through the online portal or at the registry office)
- Pay the applicable municipal fee, if required by the town council
- Pick up your authorization and bring it with you on market day
Frequently Asked Questions for Merchants
What do I need to set up a stall at the La Penilla Chocolate Fair market?
How much is the fee for the stall?
Where and when do I apply for the permit?
Who should I contact at the Santa María de Cayón town council?
Are you interested in this market? Write to us
Leave us your contact information, and we'll forward it to the town council so they can let you know how to get your stall.
Documents and Resources
All official market documentation in one place.
La Penilla Chocolate Fair — street market in the municipality of Santa María de Cayón
The "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" is one of the most popular street markets in the municipality of Santa María de Cayón, in the province of Cantabria. Its stalls offer a variety of local delicacies (textile products, footwear, fresh food, handicrafts, accessories, and household goods) in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that makes it a regular destination for both locals and visitors. The municipality has 9,538 inhabitants.
The "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" announces its market days in advance. Further down on this page, you'll find the calendar with the upcoming dates so you can plan your visit to the stalls.
The "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" has been part of the commercial and social fabric of the municipality of Santa María de Cayón for decades. Street markets have a long tradition in the province of Cantabria, and this one is a must-see for anyone looking for fresh produce, local crafts, and market prices.
To get to the La Penilla Chocolate Fair by public transportation, the closest stop on the train is “Parbayón,” which is 1,424 meters away. For those traveling by car, Posada Julia is 648 meters away.
If the La Penilla Chocolate Fair is too far away, or if you want to plan a route through several markets in the area, here are the closest street markets by geographical proximity:
- Sarón Medieval Market (Santa María de Cayón)
- Sarón Weekly Market (Santa María de Cayón)
- Otoño en el Valle — Mercado de Productores y Artesanos (Santa María de Cayón)
- Abril de Sarón Fair (Santa María de Cayón)
See also all the practical information about the market: interactive map of the market · vendor directory.
"La Penilla Chocolate Fair" is a one-time themed market on Santa María de Cayón, held on specific dates and featuring products and offerings designed for the occasion.
La Penilla Chocolate Fair FAQs
Where is the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair"? La Penilla Chocolate Fair is located in the municipality of Santa María de Cayón, in the province of Cantabria.
What can you buy at the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair"? At La Penilla Chocolate Fair, you'll find textile products, footwear, fresh food, handicrafts, accessories, and household goods, among other typical items from street markets.
Where can I park to go to the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair"? Parking is available near the La Penilla Chocolate Fair. A common option is Posada Julia.
How do I get to the “La Penilla Chocolate Fair” by public transportation? You can get to the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" by public transportation. The nearest stop is "Parbayón."
Market Calendar
Is the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" open today? No, La Penilla Chocolate Fair is not open today, 6 October.
Is the "La Penilla Chocolate Fair" open tomorrow? No, La Penilla Chocolate Fair isn't opening tomorrow, 7 October.