Basque Country: what to do. June 2019

THINGS TO DO IN BILBAO, SAN SEBASTIAN, VITORIA-GASTEIZ, BAYONNE, BIARRITZ, RIOJA OR PAMPLONA.

Our selection of best art, sport, traditional & cultural events in the Basque Country during June, 2019.

In Lekeitio. Saint Peter parties.
The dance of the Kaxarranka.

Regarding traditions and festivities in Basque region:

• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Great Week of the Pintxo of Alava. From May 24^th until June 5th.
• In Tolosa. Bream and Cider Festival. In the past, Basque sailors brought cider to their routes because water was spoiled in the barrels. Meals and dinners based on the sea bream, dinner pairing, screenings, theater-dance show and more activities. From May 31^st until June 2^nd.
• In Barakaldo. Cherry Fair. Exhibition and sale of farmhouse and artisan products. June 1^st.
• In Gernika-Lumo. Txakolí Day of Urdaibai. Tasting and tasting of cheese and txakoli from Urdaibai with D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina. Horticultural fair. Exhibition and sale of Basque crafts. June 1^st.
• In Eskoriatza. XXIII Exposure of farm products, food and crafts. XXII Scarecrow contest. XI Cheese competition. VIII Txapela Championship. June 1^st.
• In Pasaia. Cider Day. XXVI Edition. Cider tasting. The bertsolaris, txalaparta and charangas fair will be the highlight of the fair. June 1st.
• In Amurrio. Txakoli Day. Txakolinaren Eguna, vintage of 2018. Gastronomic contest. June 2^nd.
• In Lezama. Txakolí Day. XVIII Tasting and sale of Biscay Txakolí. Exhibition and sale of agricultural products. June 2^nd.
• In Mungia. Fair of cattle, sheep, horses and goats. Machinery and agricultural tools. June 2^nd and 16^th.
• In Zalla. Gastronomic festival. VI Edition. Sale of agri-food product, gastronomic workshops for children, commented tastings and live show cooking. June 8^th and 9^th.
• In Labastida. Wine cellars at street level. X Edition of tasting and sale of all the wines of the town; through the purchase of tickets and a drink are given to try their wines. June 9^th.
• In Abadiño. Pilgrimage in Urkiola: day of San Antonio de Padua. Sanctuary of Urkiola. Performances of trikitilaris and bertsolaris. Agricultural posts, artisans and livestock. June 13^th.
• In Sondika. BBK Music Legends Festival 2019. The Beach Boys and Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals. Gardens of the Ola BBK Center of Sondika (Bizkaia). June 14^th and 15^th.
• In Bilbao. XVI Edition. Bilbao Championship of Pastor Idiazabal Cheese. June 15^th.
• In Elgoibar. Agricultural, artisan and livestock fair. XVIII edition. Sale, exhibition of livestock and products of the hamlets of Elgoibar. XXIV edition. Exhibition and sale of crafts. June 15^th and 16^th.
• In Barandio, Amurrio. Day of the goat. Hermitage of Garrastatxu. Goat competition of the azpigorri and azpizuri breeds (the most abundant in the area) and the fair of goats. Stone drag test with goats. Multitudinary popular food or in the pilgrimage. June 16^th.
• In Salinas de Añana. Dramatized visits. Tourist Office. From June 23^rd until October 20^th.
• In St. Jean de Luz. Festivals of Saint John. Place Louis XIV. From June 20^th until 24^th.  
• In Tolosa, Eibar, Arrasate, Hernani, Andoain, Laguardia, Amurrio, Salvatierra, Leioa, Getxo, Bermeo, Muskiz, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz,…. St. John Pilgrimage's. The arrival of the summer solstice is celebrated. The bonfires burn to drive away evil spirits and attract good luck. June 23^rd.
• In Urduña-Orduña. Basque Shepherd Dog Contest on the 23rd. Saint Jean Market: Products of the village, handicraft and livestock buying and selling on the 24th. Popular food. XVII Charoles de Euskadi Competition. Plaza de los Fueros. June 23^rd.
• In Bermeo. St. John Pilgrimage's. Pilgrimage on foot to the hermitage of San Juan de Gastelugatxe and wreath to the Virgin (submerged in the sea under the natural arches of the islet of Aketze). June 24^th.
• In Biarritz. The village of Casetas. It stands out as the festive event of the opening of the summer season. Côte des Basques. From June 26^th to June 30^th.
• In Bilbao. Leku Leku Festival. The International Festival of Dance in Urban Landscapes. Walk of Abandoibarra of Bilbao. June 28^th and 29^th.
• In Ondarroa. Shoe Azule (Blue Saturday). Most important party in the city. T-shirts, sports and music are the main ingredients. June 29^th.
• In San Sebastian. Txakolí Day. Popular tasting in the morning. 22 Txakoli harvesters. Boulevard. June 29^th.
• In Haro, La Rioja. Battle of wine. Fiesta of National Tourist Interest. Pilgrimage to the hermitage of Los Riscos de Bilibio. June 29^th.
• In Lekeitio. Saint Peter parties. The dance of the Kaxarranka (a dantzari dances on a chest or kutxa carried by eight fishermen), the Kilin-Kala (consists in the risk of throwing the image of the Saint into the water, to ask for good fishing) and the aurresku of women . From June 29^th to July 1^st.
• In Ondategi, Zigoitia, Gorbeia. Basque Horse Day. Shows, exhibits and performances with Basque dance, sport & food. June 30^th.
• In Irun. Saint Marcial Alarde (Procession). Parade remembering Spanish and French wars. June, 30^th.

Kaldearte. Street art with dance, magic, theater, music, humor, clowns, pampering and games.In Vitoria-Gasteiz. From June 7^th until 9^th

Regarding arts and exhibits in Basque region:

• In Bilbao. Exhibition "ABC, The alphabet of the Bilbao Museum". On this occasion, it is the words - following the alphabetical order - that order the exhibition. Art and literature are fused through an extended alphabet. It will bring together masterpieces by Lucas Cranach the Elder, José de Ribera, Murillo, Zurbarán, Martin de Vos, Goya, Gauguin, Zuloaga, Sorolla, Chillida, Oteiza, Francis Bacon and Antoni Tàpies, among others. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From October 29^th, 2018 until June 2^nd, 2019.
• In Getaria. Cristobal Balenciaga: Fashion and Heritage. Contexts Fashion and Heritage maintain a paradoxical dialogue that contrasts the ephemeral and the permanent. A conversation that, nevertheless, converges in the designer. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. From March 1^st, 2019 to January 20^th, 2020.
• In Bilbao. Never real and always true. Exhibition on the symbiosis between art and literature. A motto that connects the thirteen participating artists, who move between both worlds and whose works deal naturally with art as a literary genre and literature as an exhibition project. Azkuna Center. From March 14^th until September 22^nd.
• In Bilbao. “Jenny Holzer: The Indescriptible”. Its medium, whether it is translated into T-shirts, plaques or electronic signals, is the text. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. From March 22^nd, 2019 until September 28^th.
• In Bilbao. Juan De Alcega, Universal Sastre. Illustrious personage of Gipuzkoa of Century XVI, author of the first treaty of tailoring published in all Europe, in the year 1580. Maritime Museum. From April 3^rd until September 10^th.
• In Bilbao. Gerhard Richter: Marinas. With these paintings and drawings, Richter confronts us with the problem of representation, since the painted surface and the photographic record merge. Bilbao Guggenhein Museum. From May 24^th until September 9^th.
• In Bilbao. XVI International Festival of emergent scene. Experiences of arts visas in short format of no more than 30 minutes with only 3 or 4 pieces, dance, circus, theater.... From May 29^th until June 1^st.
• In Barakaldo. ACT Festival 2019. Promotes emerging artists of the performing arts. Courses, workshops and reflection sessions. From May 29^th until June 1^st.
• In Bilbao. Zuloaga (1870-1945). Exhibition about the painter Ignacio Zuloaga, considered in his time the most important Spanish artist and with the greatest international projection. Museum of Fine Arts. From May 29^th until October 10^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. IX GastroSWING, mixing best food with swing dance classes and music. International Swing Festival in the Basque Country. From May 30^th until June 2^nd.
• In Bilbao. New Book Fair. Arenal. From May 30^th until June 9^th.
• In San Sebastian. Ola tu !!! Talk a !!! Cultural festival. Multidisciplinary festival of theater, music, dance ... designed by the own citizenship that establishes ways of collaboration between professional and amateur artists. From May 31^th until June 2^nd.
• In Bilbao. Opera: Waiting, created by Calixto Bieito, together with the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård. Opera concert staged with music by Edvard Grieg. Arriaga Theater. June 1^st.
• In San Sebastian. Concert solidarity in favor of Cáritas Castrense and Cáritas Gipuzkoa. Regiment "Tercio Viejo de Sicilia" nº67, Orfeón Donostiarra, Coro Ametsa, Óscar Portugués and the Music Unit of the "San Marcial" Division. Chamber Room, Kursaal. June 1^st.
• In Bilbao. Pilgrimage. Dance Group of Vizcaya. Arriaga Square. June 1^st.
• In Biarritz. Malandain Ballet Biarritz: Marie Antoinette. Midnight station. June 1^st and 2^nd.
• In Biarritz. Biarritz Roaring Twenties Festival. Golf competition in period dress. Exhibition of prestige vehicles. Parade "Fashion Biarritz 1919-2019" with 30 models, and more. June 1^st and 2^nd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. II Belar Sounds edition. Selection of local and state groups with different musical styles. Garden of Falerina. June 1^st, 9^th, 23^th and 29^th.
• In Biarritz. Brazilian Dance Gala - Brasil show. By Brasil Explosion. Show 16h (Kids Gala) and 19h (Gala Adults). The Coliseum. June 2^nd.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Spring in Dancing. Kiosk Place Louis XIV. June 2^nd.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Spectacle the dances DANTZANI - Modern jazz, Hip Hop, Salsa. Jaï Alaï. June 2^nd.
• In Bilbao. Basque music cycle: Surroundings to Ravel. His musical discoveries revolutionized music for piano and orchestra. Arriaga Theater. June 3^rd.
• In San Sebastian. Introductory Workshop on Biomedical Glycoscience. From June 3^rd until 5^th.
• In Bilbao. 19th Annual Event EUSPEN. European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology. Euskalduna Palace. From June 3^rd until 7^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. XI cycle of conferences of the VII Napoleonic Week: "The feminine environment, a presence ignored but essential during the French occupation (1808-1813)". Vital Foundation classroom. From June 3^rd until 7^th.
• In Bilbao. ARTESHOP VIII Edition. The art in the shops. Bilbao City Council, University of the Basque Country and Bilbao Arte Foundation. From June 3^rd until 16^th.
• In Bilbao. BeDigital. Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC) and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AFM) present the first event aimed at the industrial application of digital technologies. From June 4^th until 6^th.
• In Bilbao. Subcontracting 2019. International Fair of processes and products for manufacturing. Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC). From June 4^th until 6^th.
• In Bilbao. Industry Tools by Ferroforma. Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC). From June 4^th until 6^th.
• In San Sebastian. International Congress of Vocational Training. Kursaal Auditorium June 5^th and 6^th.
• In San Sebastian. AZTI - SOPHIE project SUMMER SCHOOL 2019. AQUARIUM. From June 5^th until 7^th.
• In Bilbao. Symphony Orchestra of Bilbao. Euskalduna Palace, Auditorium. June 6^th and 7^th.
• In San Sebastian. Basque Country Symphony Orchestra: Failure or victory. Kursaal Auditorium June 6^th and 7^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Cycle "For humor to art". Theater of humor: Faemino and Tired, and Luis Piedrahita. Main Theater. From June 6^th until 15^th.
• In Irun. 16th edition of Bioterra. Fair of organic products, bioconstruction, renewable energy and responsible consumption. FICOBA From June 7^th until 9^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Kaldearte. Street art with dance, magic, theater, music, humor, clowns, pampering and games. From June 7^th until 9^th.
• In Biarritz. Art Shopping Biarritz. Major international meeting of contemporary art. Painting, Sculpture, Digital Art, Photography ... Casino Municipal. June 8^th.
• In San Sebastian. Dance Studio 84. Kursaal Auditorium. June 8^th.
• In Biarritz. Street Arts Festival. Original street shows, reviving wonder among young and old, around theater, fairground art, dance. Place Clemencea. From June 8^th until 10^th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Andalusian Festival. June 8^th until 10^th.
• In San Sebastian. Bamboo Dance Festival. End of the year Bamboo academy festival, urban, classical and contemporary dance show. Kursaal Auditorium. June 9^th.
• In Bilbao. Basque Country Symphony Orchestra: Failure or Victory. Euskalduna Palace, Auditorium. June 10^th.
• In Sondika. Music Legends Festival. Ola BBK Center. June 14^th and 15^th.
• In Bilbao. Gua Zuria (White Night Festival). Activities for the Foundation of the city of Bilbao. Outdoor celebrations of music, performing arts, literature and striking light and sound shows. June 15^th.
• In San Sebastian. Summer courses at the University of the Basque Country. Miramar Palace. Quality and varied program of courses, seminars, workshops and conferences. From June 15^th to September 15^th.
• In Bilbao. Woody Allen & The Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band. Euskalduna Palace, Auditorium. June 16^th.
• In Getaria. Workshops for Families: Textile screen printing. Families will manipulate a screen, and create and stamp their own design. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. June 16^th.
• In Bilbao. Estropatada. Thousands of little ducks cruise the river to reach the Euskalduna Bridge. The event continues with a huge family festival on the esplanade of the Maritime Museum. June 16^th.
• In Bayonne. Peter Harper. American stars blues and soul. The Luna Negra. June 18^th and 19^th.
• In Bilbao. Biscay ESG Global Summit. Euskalduna Palace. June 19^th.
• In Bilbao. Opera: Mendi-Mendiyan, one of the great compositions of José María Usandizaga. Work premiered on May 21, 1910. Arriaga Theater. From June 20^th until 22^nd.
• In Bilbao. Bilbao Pride. Bilbao Pride is a socio-cultural festival that advocates for LGBT visibility and for diversity. From June 20^th to 23^rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Azkena Rock Festival. Stray Cats and Wilco will be the headliners, highlighting also Corrosion of Conformity and The B-52S... Next to the sports center of Mendizorroza. June 21^st & 22^nd.
• In Bilbao. Basque DokFestival. Documentary photography festival. Documentary scope, the new 3.0 photojournalism or street photography. From June 21^st to 23^rd.
• In Bilbao. Dance Studio. Ballet Sofia Abaitua. Euskalduna Palace, Hall A1 Theater. June 22^nd.
• In San Sebastian. Antonio Orozco in concert: Unique. Kursaal Auditorium. June 23^rd.
• In Bilbao. Concert: The fall of Bilbao by Luis de Pablo from Bilbao. Absolute premiere at the Arriaga Theater. June 26^th.
• In Biarritz. The Violins de France. Musical director and soloist, first prize at the Conservatory of the City of Paris (violin and chamber music), Frédéric Moreau has adapted a repertoire where virtuosity occupies an important place with his album "Il Cannone", in tribute to Paganini. Sainte Eugenie Church. June 28^th.
• In Anglet. The Nocturnes of the House of Love. Outdoor concerts. June 28^th and 29^th.
• In Bayonne. 4th Flamenco Spirit Festival. Spanish Cultural Center. June 28^th until 30^th.
• In Biarritz. Abasto - South American melodies. Will take you from Mexico to the North, to Argentina, passing through Cuba and Ecuador! The Coliseum. June 30^th.

In Biarritz. World Longboard Surfing Championships. 

 Regarding Basque sports:

• In Biarritz. The International Surfing Association: World Longboard Surfing Championships. An event organized by the French Surf Federation. Côte des Basques. From May 25^th until June 2^nd.
• In San Sebastian. Horse races. Racecourse. Different dates from June to September.
• In Bilbao. BBKAYAK - The canoeing party. A popular 5km descent and a professional descent only for federated clubs. National Rivers Championship. Nervión River. June 1^st.
• In San Sebastian. Amstel Radler San Sebastián Paddle Tour. Stand Up Paddle test organized by the Fortuna Sports Club, included in the European EuroTour circuit. Bahia de la Concha and the Urumea river. June 1^st and 2^nd.
• In Biarritz. Basque ball with big chistera. France championship. Fronton of the Mazon Park. June 1^st, 6^th, 8^th, 13^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 27^th, 28^th and 29^th.
• In Zegama. Alpina Marathon Zegama-Aizkorri. Qualifying test for the Golden Trail World Series 2019 and the Golden Trail National Series 2019. 42 kilometers by four of the highest peaks in the Basque Country. June 2^nd.
• In Bilbao. BIBE Trans Bizkaia Great fund. A cyclist tour whose route recalls the Jesus Loroño Cyclo-tourist Classic, a test that was played between 1992 and 2003, consolidating itself as one of the most demanding in the state. June 2^nd.
• In Bilbao. Iberdrola Bilbao World Sup Challenge. International Stand UpPaddle competition. The best riders in the world will compete in two modalities: Long Distance and Sprint. From June 7^th until 9^th.
• In St. Jean de Luz. Golf Tournament: Aquitaine Pyrenees Insurance Award. Chantaco Golf. June 8^th.
• In Zarautz. Triathlon Getaria to Zarautz. 2.9 km of swimming, 81 km of cycling circuit and 20 km of running. June 8^th.
• In San Sebastian. Presentation of the men's drifter season, Eusko Label Liga, and the women's league, Euskotren Liga. Kursaal, Chamber Room. June 8^th.
• In Biarritz. French skate championship. Skate park Alley Moura. June 8^th and 9^th.
• In Gorbeia. Ascension to the cross of Mount Gorbea. . March for the XXV Anniversary of the Gorbeia Natural Park. The Vizcaya slope will depart from Saldropo to end in Zarate, and from the Alava side the same route in reverse. June 9^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. 12th Women's race. Race for women of 5.83 km. June 9^th.
• In Biarritz. Wheels & Waves Festival. Four days of motorcycling, surfing, skateboarding and music. City of the Ocean in Biarritz. From June 12^th until 16^th.
• In Bayonne. International Badminton Tournament. Lauga Sports Palace. June 15^{th and} 16^th.
• In Bayonne. 1/2 final Basque League Chistera Joko Garbi senior 1st series. Fronton of the Jean Dauger stadium. June 15^th and 22^nd.
• In Zumaia. Zumaia flysch Trail (27 kilometers and a difference of 1,640 meters). Cliffs between Zumaia and Deba. June 24^th.
• In San Sebastian. Women Triathlon. Concha beach and city center. Swimming TM 300m, Cycling TM 8km, Running TM 2km. June 29^th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. XXIX BH 2019 Cycle Tour Test. Route of 204.39 kilometers by 5 of the 7 gangs of the province of Alava, and at times the neighboring Navarra. June 29^th.
• In San Sebastian. 34 Ooditz Oroituz Triathlon. Concha beach and the city districts Swimming 1500m, Cycling 38.5km, Running 10km. June 30^th.

And remember, if you are thinking to come to Bilbao, San Sebastian, Rioja, Vitoria, Pamplona or anywhere else in the Basque Country, you can get a better understanding on our culture and traditions with a local guide.

Enjoy the Basque Country!