ANUAL
EVENTS
JUNE
GAU ZURIA
The signing on 15 June 1300 of the Municipal Charter or Carta Puebla, which would signify the founding of the City of Bilbao, is remembered every year with a whole night of open-air celebrations. Emblematic spaces in the city offer something out of the ordinary thanks to Gua Zuria (White Night Festival), which offers proposals taking in music, drama, literature and remarkable sound and light shows.
An extensive programme that allows you to walk around the city with other eyes, enjoying the creations of local and international artists.
J ULY
BBK LIVE
One of the most important music festivals at national level.
JULY
JAZZ
Every year, throughout July, the International Jazz Festival, now celebrating its 42nd edition, comes to Getxo, and this Biscay town resonates to the sound of saxophones, trumpets and pianos. Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Michel Camilo and Madeleyne Peyroux are some of the artists who have triumphed in Getxo, to the delight of a discerning public.
AUGUST
ASTE NAGUSIA
Bilbao's local festivities
(during the third week of August)
Marijaia, the symbol of the Bilbao festivities, is responsible for ushering in nine days of feverish activity. Plays, major concerts, some of the best fireworks in the world, cooking contests, games for children and all kinds of activities take place in various locations in the city, with its epicentre in the streets and squares of the Old Quarter and on both sides of the river, where the "txosnas" (booths with music, food and drink) are installed by different groups from the city.
AUGUST
BULLFIGHTING
SEPTEMBER
DANTZALDIA
(Dance festival, from September till December)
OCTOBER
GERNIKA'S LOCAL PRODUCTS FAIR
The last Monday of the month.
(this fair is held throughout the year, but this is the most important day).
Every Monday, people buying and selling farm products from the whole Busturialdea region gather at the Gernika market. In fact, this Monday market can be thought of as meeting point for local residents. It continues to play its social role as it did decades ago, when people did not have as many means at their disposal and Monday was the day not only to buy and sell, but also to socialise. This is one of the few traditional markets still held in Euskal Herria and is a colourful and joyful event that ends with cesta matches on the Jai-Alai Basque Pelota Court. As the old saying goes: "lunes gernikes, kolperik ez", in other words, "Mondays in Gernika, no one lifts a finger".
DECEMBER
FUN & SERIOUS GAME FESTIVAL
Videogames firms meeting encounter in Spain: designers, publishers, investors......fun zone...
DECEMBER
DURANGOKO AZOKA
Books and music Basque Fair + live concerts
DECEMBER
MENDIFILM FESTIVAL
International Mountain Film Festival
DECEMBER
SANTO TOMÁS FAIR
21st of December
This typical festivity marks the beginning of Christmas time. It is a hugely popular major farmers’ market, dating back to the mid-19th century, when most land was cultivated by farmers who passed down the lease from generation to generation and would traditionally come to the main cities to pay the landowners their annual rent. The leaseholders would take advantage of this day to sell their wares and buy other products which they couldn’t obtain in their own villages.