The Camino de Santiago is already looking toward 2027, and one of its most important international audiences is thousands of kilometres away from Galicia. New York became a showcase for the next Holy Year as the Galician community brought the symbols, traditions and spirit of the Xacobeo to Fifth Avenue.
The Xacobeo 2027 has begun to make its presence felt internationally. This weekend, New York hosted a very special glimpse of what Galicia is preparing for the next Holy Year, with Galician associations joining the Hispanic Day Parade and bringing the Camino de Santiago into the heart of Manhattan.
The event took place along Fifth Avenue and brought together delegations representing different Spanish-speaking countries. Galicia had a particularly visible role this year, as the parade paid tribute to Xacobeo 2027 and featured traditional costumes, Galician flags, decorated floats and references to the Camino de Santiago.
Among the organisations taking part were Casa Galicia de Nueva York, Centro Español de Queens, Centro Orensano Social Club and other associations linked to the Spanish and Galician communities in the United States.
The United States is already a key country for the Camino
The choice of New York is far from accidental. The United States has become one of the most important international markets for the Camino de Santiago.
In 2025, 43,980 pilgrims from the United States received the Compostela after completing the Camino, making Americans the largest foreign nationality among pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela, ahead of Italians and Germans.
The figures reveal how strongly the Camino has grown in the United States and explain why Galicia is increasingly looking across the Atlantic as preparations intensify for 2027.
For many American pilgrims, the appeal of the Camino goes far beyond simply walking a long-distance route. History, cultural heritage, landscapes, gastronomy and the spiritual dimension of the pilgrimage are among the elements that continue to attract travellers from the United States.
Galician communities as ambassadors of the Camino
The presence of the Xacobeo in New York also highlights another important element of its international promotion: the Galician communities living abroad.
Galician associations around the world have maintained traditions, language and cultural connections with Galicia for generations. Ahead of 2027, these organisations can also become important ambassadors for the Camino de Santiago.
The message presented in New York was therefore not limited to promoting a major event taking place next year. It was also an invitation to discover Galicia, walk the Camino and experience the cultural and spiritual heritage surrounding Santiago de Compostela.
The Galician authorities want the international Galician community to become actively involved in the promotion of the next Xacobeo and to help introduce the Camino to new generations of potential pilgrims.
New York and Santiago are closer than ever
Connections between the United States and Galicia have also strengthened in recent years. The growing number of American travellers and pilgrims has increased interest in Galicia as a destination, particularly among visitors looking for cultural, active and experiential tourism.
The Camino has become one of Galicia’s strongest international calling cards and one of the most recognisable European pilgrimage routes for American travellers.
For that reason, bringing the Xacobeo to New York sends a clear message: the preparation for 2027 will not take place only in Santiago or along the traditional pilgrimage routes. It will also be promoted in the countries that send thousands of pilgrims to Galicia every year.
The countdown to Xacobeo 2027
The next Holy Year will be celebrated in 2027 because July 25, the feast day of Saint James the Apostle, falls on a Sunday.
For the Camino de Santiago, this means a year expected to attract exceptional international attention, with cultural activities, events and initiatives being prepared throughout Galicia and beyond.
After New York, the international dimension of the Xacobeo is becoming increasingly clear.
And if current trends continue, thousands of the pilgrims arriving in Santiago during 2027 will once again begin their journey on the other side of the Atlantic.
