Suggestions for the month of July

Mungiako JAIAK:

Every single year, during the first week of July, the Biscayan town of “Mungia” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 28th of June till the 8th of July with several outdoor concerts for free. With ZEA MAYS on the 6th of July and HESIAN on the 28th of June. Also "Revolta Permanent", "Javier Gurruchaga" or "Coque Malla" will be playing their music this year.

Getxo Jazz:

Every single year, during the first week of July, the Biscayan city of “Getxo” celebrates their International JAZZ festival. In 2018 it will be held from the 4th till the 08th of July.

San Fermines:

Every single year, during the week of the 7th of July, the Basque city of “Pamplona” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 6th till the 14th of July. The Bull-Runs and their related stories are really amazing and unique. We suggest living the experience of being over there at least once in a lifetime. This is also the historical "City" of the Basque People. The name of the city in Basque Language "Iruñea" means literally "City" in English.

Coso Blanco:

Every single year, the first friday of July the Cantabrian city of CastroUrdiales celebrates their traditional contest of floats "Coso Blanco". During the whole night a big party atmosphere is all over the city. Really worth it. In 2018 the event will be held on the 6th of July.

BBK LIVE:

Every single year, in the middle of the month of July the city of Bilbao celebrates their annual International Rock Festival: BBK Live. In 2018 the festival will be held from the 12th till the 14th.

Txapel Reggae Festival:

Every single year, during the weekend next to the 15th of July, the municipality of Armintza organizes this International Reggae Music Festival: Txapel Reggae.

Cármenes de Barakaldo:

Every single year, during the week of the 15th of July, the Biscayan city of "Barakaldo" celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 14th till the 22nd of July.

Santurtziko JAIAK:

Every single year, during the week of the 15th of July, the Biscayan city of "Santurtzi" celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 14th till the 21st of July. The roasted sardines for free are really worth it, and in 2018 the free concerts will include: Sergio Dalma, Doctor Deseo, Seguridad Social and ETS among others.

"Semana Grande" in Santander:

Every single year, during the week of the 25th of July, the Cantabrian city of "Santander" celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 20th till the 29th of July.

Festival Internacional de Folclore:

Every year, during the closest weekend to the 20th of July, the Biscayan town of Portugalete celebrates their annual "Folklore" Festival. The dancing groups come from everywhere in the globe. Really nice and worth to watch them dancing live.

Madalenas:

On July the 22nd three coastal towns of Biscay (Bermeo, Mundaka and Elantxobe) celebrate a traditional seafaring festival. On this date, the day on which the Island of Izaro was incorporated into the municipality of Bermeo is recalled. Today it is a celebration of twinning between the three locations. It is one of the most endearing parties in Biscay.

Professional Basque Pelota in Etxebarri:

Every year around the 20th of July the town of Etxebarri (one metro station away from Bilbao) organizes this sport-event in their "Fronton". These last years the professional Pelota Festival had presented three professional matches for a very cheap price, and each one belonging to a different modality: Singles, Doubles and Short distance of 4-1/2 mts. 
The town also celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties during this same week.

Paellas in Aixerrota:

Every year around the 25th of July the association Itxas-Argia organizes this event in the Biscayan city of Getxo. In 2018 the event will take place on the 22nd of July. More information about the International Paellas Contest in this link: http://itxas-argia.com/blog/evento/paellak-2018-paellas/

Fêtes de Bayonne:

Every single year, during the last week of July, "Bayonne" (the French Basque Capital) celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 25th till the 29th of July.

San Inaziyuek:

Every year between the end of July and the beginning of August, and lasting up to four days, the Basque town of Azpeitia becomes the center of all eyes, thanks to this annual festival that attracts thousands of visitors for its atmosphere, its bullfighting fair and its solemn religious celebrations.

Don't forget to visit the Sanctuary where Saint Ignatius was born in 1491, the famous founder of the religious order called Society of Jesus (Jesuits). A little piece of History and a World Heritage for all.

Suggestions for the month of June

BBKayak:

This year 2018 a new event will be held on saturday the 2nd of June. A big canoeing festival sponsored by BBK. Anyone can take part and the race will travel all along the river Nervión through the city center of Bilbao. Enjoy the party with this traditional water-sport of the Basque Country!

Gazta Fest:

Every single year a Cheese festival is held in the Old Town of Bilbao. During a whole week many different pintxos competitions and tasting events of Idiazabal cheese varieties are held around the "Plaza Nueva". You should try all these pintxos and evaluate them after giving specific grades to each aspect considered for the competition.

Montes Bocineros Day:

Every year on the first sunday of June the "Montes Bocineros" day is celebrated on top of one of these mountains. Our old basque traditions are exposed in a party environment with a "call for assembly" live performance. This year 2018 this event will be held on sunday the 3rd of June in "OIZ" mountain.

La Noche Blanca - Gau Zuria:

Every year the Bilbao City Hall illuminates some of the most renowned city buildings on the saturday closest to the 15th of June (The Bilbao City foundation day). In 2018 this will be done during the night from 15th to 16th of June.

“Araba Euskaraz” - Basque Language Festival of Araba:

Every single year on the closest sunday to the 15th of June, basque speakers and those who love the basque language, its history and related culture join together in an Arabian town to be determined for a big outdoor music festival. In 2018 that town will be “La Puebla de Arganzón (Treviño)” and the date will be the 17th of June.

Hogueras de San Juan:

Every year the basques celebrate the “San Juan” night on the 23th of June. In several places we can enjoy the ancient fire rituals with a cup of hot chocolate. But probably the best places to enjoy this event are located in the coast: Sopela or Algorta. On this night the fire and the party move themselves to the beach.

St. Jean de Luz Party Festival

Every year, during the week of the 20th of June, the Basque town of “St. Jean de Luz” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2019 the party will take place from the 20th till the 24th of June.

Leioa Party Festival:

Every year, during the week of the 23rd of June, the Biscayan town of “Leioa” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 22nd till the 27th of June.

Fiestas de Sestao:

Every year during the last week of June, the Biscayan town of “Sestao” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties. In 2018 the party will take place from the 22nd till the 30th of June with several outdoor concerts for free. Luar Na Libre on friday 22nd, Kaotiko on saturday 23rd and LOV on next saturday the 30th.

Battle of wine:

Every single year during the big annual summer-party festival of “Haro”, a town of Rioja region, the battle of wine takes place at 10:00 AM of the 29th of June. A unique experience in your lifetime that in 2018 will take place on friday morning.

Saint Peter & Saint Martial:

Every single year the town of "Irún”, located in the Gipuzkoa region, just in the boundary limits between Spain and France, celebrates their annual summer-party festival in the last week of June. In 2018 the party will take place from the 29th.

Zapato Azule:

Every single year on the last saturday of June the Biscayan town of “Ondarroa” celebrates their “Zapato Azule” party festival. Morning, Afternoon and Night partying with no stop. Traditional food and music all over the place to enjoy this fishermen village located near the Gipuzkoa region. In 2018 the date will be the 30th of June.

Red Bull Cliff-Diving Challenge:

During the last years, due to an agreement between Red Bull and Bilbao City Council, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the competition of the Cliff-Diving Challenge in the center of Bilbao.

This year (2018), it will be held on the 30th of June.

Suggestions for the month of May

Basque cheese fair of Idiazabal:

Every year during the first weekend of May there is a big celebration of the Basque Country’s Cheese Culture in “Idiazabal”, a small town located in the Goierri region (Gipuzkoa) which gives the name to the most popular and international cheese variety made by the Basques. In 2018 it will be on May 5/6.

Otxomaios Festival Parties in Orduña:

Every year, during the week of the 8th May, the Biscayan town of “Urduña” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties.

FANT Bilbao:

Every year during the first two weeks of May Bilbao hosts a renowned international film festival focused on Fantasy topics. In 2018 it will be held between the 4th and 12th of May. More information available at: http://fantbilbao.eus/web/en/

Medieval festival of Balmaseda:

Every year at the beginning of the Spring season, usually end of April or beginning of May, the Biscayan town of “Balmaseda” celebrates their annual medieval festival. In 2018 it will be on the 12th and 13th of May.

“Herri Urrats” Basque Language Festival:

Every year, on the closest sunday to the 15th of May, basque speakers and those who love the basque language, its history and related culture join together in the Laborcan town of “Senpere” for a big outdoor music festival. In 2018 the date will be the 13th of May.

Derioko Jaiak:

Every year, during the week of the 15th May, the Biscayan town of “Derio” celebrates their big annual summer-festival parties.

International Museums Day:

Every year on the 18th of May we celebrate the International day of the museums. Every museum will have free access in Euskal Herria that day. We can choose between “Athletic club museum”, Guggenheim museum“, “Maritime museum”, “Basque museum”, “Balenciaga museum”, “Aquarium”, “Artium”, “Fine Arts museum” and many others.

PASAIA Itsas Festibala:

Every single year, on the closest weekend to the 20th of May, the town of "Pasaia" celebrates their International Maritime Festival. Both St. John and St. Peter neighborhoods will be partying and proudly sharing their sea-related ancient history. In 2018 the festival will be held from the 17th to the 21st of May.

Arrain Azoka:

Every single year, on the closest weekend to the 20th of May, the Biscayan town of "Bermeo" celebrates their annual Fish-Market.

“Ibilaldia“ Basque Language Festival:

Every single year, on the closest sunday to the 30th of May, basque speakers and those who love the basque language, its history and related culture join together in a Biscayan town to be determined for a big outdoor music festival. In 2018 that town will be “Santurtzi” and the date will be the 27th of May.

Suggestions for the month of April

Cornites:

Every single year during the Easter Monday a big pilgrimage to the "Serantes" mountain is held in the Biscayan town of "Santurtzi". In 2018 this big day will be the 2nd of April.

Mercado Napoleónico:

Every single year since 2013, the city of "Vitoria-Gasteiz" celebrates the victory over the french troops of Napoleón Bonaparte in April 1813 during the first weekend of April. In this gastronomic, theater and music festival the battle recreations are the most important and colorful planned events of the festival. In 2019 the party will be ongoing from April 5th to the April 7th.

Lutxana Festivals:

Every single year at the end of the month of April Lutxana celebrates its annual festivities. Concerts, traditional sports contests, dancing and may activities are arranged by the City Council. 

San Jorge Jaiak:

Every single year on the 23rd of April the city of Santurtzi celebrates the day of Saint George. This year 2023 the parties will last between the 21st and the 30th of April. Both weekends many concerts will be performed for free in the city's squares. As long with the Txoznas environment and the bars and taberns joining the parties.

San Prudentzio:

Every single year during the closest weekend of the 28th of April, and on the very same day, a big celebration is held in the city of "Vitoria-Gasteiz". A pilgrimage to the old Church of Estibaliz is included in this gastronomic and music festival. In 2018 the party will be ongoing from April 27th to the 1st of May.

Suggestions for the month of March

Semana Santa Bilbao:

Every year during the Holy Week the traditional processions of Bilbao astonish the tourists and foreigners in general. This year 2018 the Holy Week will take place from the 23rd of March until the 1st of April. These religious celebrations have very deep roots in Spain and are spectacular, especially in Bilbao with the highest number of brotherhoods and steps (sculptures) in the north of Spain after León, Valladolid and Zaragoza.

Basque Fest:

Every single year during the Holy Week the city of Bilbao helds the Basque Lands Festival. The festival will be filling the city with Basque cultural and artistic events in different spots including Arenal Park, Plaza Nueva, Azkuna Zentroa, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This year 2018 the Festival will take place from the 28th of March until the 2nd of April.

La Regata (Ingenieros-Deusto):

Every single year during the first day of the Holy Week, the river Nervión helds this Olympic rowing competition between the Engineer School and University of Deusto crews, two prestigious university centres with over a century of history in teaching and sports. This year 2018 the event will take place on the 25th of March.

Suggestions for the month of February

Agate Deuna:

Every single year during the 5th of February we celebrate in the Basque Country one of our most traditional parties. Everybody goes to the streets on the day before and the day after to sing and pray for the Saintess Ágata. Also, the previous and following sundays the people climbs to the shrine built in his honour at the Biscayan town of "Kastrexana".

Inauteriak/Carnavales:

Every single year during the Carnival weekend
people from all over the Basque Country dress up to celebrate these traditional party. Particularly interesting are the traditional dresses, musics and processions that you can see in the Biscayan town of "Mundaka". This year 2018 the Carnival will be held on the 16-17-18 of February.

Suggestions for the month of January

Cabalgata de REYES MAGOS:

Every single year the three wise men visit the Basque Country surrounded by their assistants, camels, and carriages full of light and colour. During the night of the 5th of January every Basque city and town celebrates their big parade of the Wise Men.

Danborrada

Every single year the Basque city of Donostia-San Sebastián celebrates the Saint Sebastian Day on the 20th of january. A huge and colourful parade of drummers dressed like 19th century soldiers passes by the streets with every single citizen taking part in the march. The party starts at 0:00, but you can find people partying, drinking and dancing from the 19th and till the 21st. This is the greatest experience to live here.

Bilbostack Conference

Every single year the last weekend of January the biggest Coding and Programming Conference of the North of Spain is held in Bilbao. A must-be-there event for every professional software develolper. Networking and learning of new techniques and methodologies for quality coding is ensured here for everyone related to the Software Business Sector.