What to do in the Basque Country - Agenda October 2019

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

Our selection of best art, sport & cultural events in the Basque Country (in Spain and France) during October 2019.

The most important agricultural fair in Gernika. October 28th.

Best Basques traditions and festivities:

• In Gernika-Lumo. Pyrenean beef championship of the Basque Country. Exhibition of livestock material, cider stands, txakoli and cheese, livestock competition, auction, demonstrations related to the rural world... and performance of the bertsolaris. From October 2nd and 3rd.
• In Pamplona. Casserole and wine week. Pork appetizers served in clay casseroles, with the ajoarriero, the lamb or the piglet as protagonists. From October 4th until 13th.
• In Eibar. Sagardo Eguna. Cider Fair. Cider tasting. October 5th.
• In Gernika-Lumo. Sukalki Eguna. Cod Day. Tasting of cod & wines. Horticultural fair. Exhibition and sale of Basque crafts. October 5th.
• In Karrantza. Cattle, agricultural and artisan fair. Carranza sheep competition with blonde and black face. Exhibition of local producers: sausages, cheeses, crafts... etc. and producers from other locations: crafts, honey, soaps, pâté... etc. October 5th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. BioneAraba. Fair of ecological production. Exhibition of producers and sale of organic food of the Basque Country and its surroundings. Alavesa Association of Ecological Agriculture. October 5th.
• In Zierbena. Fishing fair. Kantauri Fest. Fair dedicated to the sea. Seafood (canning), agricultural products, and nautical crafts. October 5th and 6th.
• In Bilbao. Deusto agricultural fair. XXXI edition. Exhibition and sale of agricultural products. October 6th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Basque dances with Dantza Begi. Downtown. October 6th.
• In Igartubeiti / Ezkio-Itsaso. Cider Week. Igartubeiti Hamlet Museum. Lagar farmhouse of the 16th century. Demonstrations of apple and kirikoketa pressing, a contest of recipes made with cider or apple, an apple exhibition or a photography contest. From October 6th until 13th.
• In Basauri. Festival Saint Faust. The emblematic zurrakapote acquires prominence in these holidays. From October 11th until 20th.
• In Agurain / Salvatierra. Cattle Fair and Horse of the mountain of the Basque Country Competition. Provincial Pastoral Cheese Contest. Exhibition of cattle, sheep, machinery, handicrafts, gastronomy and Basque products. October 8th.
• In Bilbo. Feast of the Virgin of Begoña. Song of the ‘Hail of the txikiteros’ in front of the niche of the Amatxu, located in the building of La Bolsa, in the Old Town, and offering of flowers dedicated to the virgin. At noon simultaneous concerts will be offered at Plaza Unamuno and Plaza Nueva or Iturribide and Barrenkale streets. And at 20:00, the Salve song will take place. October 11th.
• In Durango. Festival Saint Faust. Performances of Bertsolaris, Trikitilaris, Dantzaris, Dulzaineros and Txistularis; and competitions of various kinds, popular foods, mycological exhibitions, pilgrimages or Basque sports activities (herri-kirolak, basketball, archery ...). From October 11th until 20th.
• In Idiazabal. Food Fair. Basque Country Shepherd Cheese Contest. Sale of cheese and products of hamlet, workshops and exhibition of local cattle. October 13th.
• In Pobes. Fair of the paste bean and vegetables of Alava. Tasting, exhibition and sale of various craft products. Cattle fair and machinery exhibition. Irrintz contest. October 13th.
• In Leintz-Gatzaga. Salt Day. IV Ecological Fair. Guided visits to the Salt Museum and the mountain. Workshops for children and workshops to make salt soap. October 13th.
• In Espejo (Mirror). Valdegovía Potato Fair. XXVIII edition. Exhibition and sale of native potato varieties. Gastronomic tasting based on potatoes. Crafts Fair. Regional market of producers of Añana. Basque rural sport. Sheepdog job sign. October 20th.
• In Okondo. Agricultural and livestock fair. Udazken Azoka: Poultry, farm products and Trikitixa championship. October 20st.
• In Arretxabaleta. Gastronomic and folkloric fair. Tasting and sale of food. Homemade Patxaran contest. October 20th.
• In Balmaseda. Food Fair. International Putxeras Competition during the San Severino festivities. Popular contest based on beans, bacon, chorizo, rib and blood sausage. October 23rd.
• In Tolosa. Goxua. Candy Fair. Sale of pastry products. October 26th.
• In Hernani. Cod Day. Tasting and cod-pil-pil contest. October 27st.
• In Gernika-Lumo. The most important agricultural fair in Gernika. Close to 900 positions. Contest and exhibition of fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, txakoli and honey. Preparation of Basque craft products and the exhibition of agricultural machinery. Bertsolaris and parades. Sports activities: tip basket, shovel, ski lift and hand and Basque sports demonstrations. October 28th.

San Sebastian Gastronomika.
Kursaal Palace. From October 6th until 9th.

Regarding arts and exhibits in Basque Country:

• 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. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From March 1st, 2019 to January 20th, 2020.
• 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 29th until October 10th.
• In Bilbao. J. S. Elkano. Behind the footprint. He delves into the biography of Juan Sebastián Elkano (1487 / 88-1526), and allows him to follow his vital mark, before, during and after the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Maritime Museum. From June 20th, 2019 until June 20th, 2020.
• In Portugalete. Exhibition of the Bilbao painter José Abel Sánchez, entitled Blade Runner. José Abel uses fire as a technique, to darken the urban environments. Rialia Museum of Industry. Canilla walk. From July 16th until November 24th.
• In Bilbao. Thomas Struth exhibition. Extensive sample of the German photographer. Guggenheim museum. From October 2nd until January 19th, 2020.
• In Bilbao. BilboArgazki. International Photography Festival. Ten exhibitions with national and foreign authors, ten conferences and five other photographic workshops, one of them for children. Organized by the Federation of Photographic Groups of the Basque Country. From September 3rd until October 31st.
• In Bilbao Dantzaldia festival. 20th edition of the Dance Festival. La Fundición Room, Azkuna Zentroa, Rekalde Room… From September 26th until December 12th.
• In Bilbao. Humor Festival. Ja! Bilbao is a festival that highlights the importance of humors in the arts, particularly in literature. Sala BBK, Alhóndiga Bilbao, Mercado de la Ribera, Campos Elíseos Theatre. From September 29th until October 6th.
• In San Sebastian. Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Kursaal Auditorium. September 30th and October 1st.
• In Biarritz. Latinamerican cinema & Culture Festival of Biarritz. From September 30th until October 6th.
• In Bilbao. Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Euskalduna Auditorium. October 2nd.
• In San Sebastian. IWORDD 2019 International Workshop on Reading and Developmental Dyslexia. BCBL Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language. Scientific and Technological Park of Gipuzkoa. From October 2nd until 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. 44th International Theater Festival. They have room for all genres, from classical theater to the most avant-garde. Main Theater. From October 3rd until December 1st.
• In Bilbao. El amor brujo - Seven popular Spanish songs by Manuel de Falla. Poetic cantata. Arriaga Theater. October 4th and 5th.
• In Bilbao. Forever - The best show about the King of Pop. Atlantic Music Entertainment. Euskalduna Palace. 2 functions. October 5th.
• In Bilbao. Anime Festival. Selection of mythical animation titles, mainly Japanese. Auditorium Guggenheim museum. October 5th and 6th.
• In San Sebastian. San Sebastian Gastronomika - Euskadi Basque Country. World congress of high gastronomy (bringing together the best chefs on the planet), off (parallel congress dedicated to the world of the room and wine), Popular (aimed at citizens) and Market (a spectacular fair). A day dedicated to the world of wine. Kursaal Palace. From October 6th until 9th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. International Film Festival. Cinema Le Select. From October 7th until 13th.
• In Bilbao. “Gorpuztu” is a contemporary dance show with live music that talks about the search for balance. Eva Guerrero Company. Arriaga Theater. October 9th.
• In Bayonne. Basque singing, Maialen sings with a charisma and a desire that she transmits unconditionally to a public each time more enthusiastic. The Luna Negra. October 10th.
• In Biarritz. The Camping-Car fair. Halle d'Iraty. From October 10th until 13th.
• In Bayonne. Haizebegi Festival. 5th edition: a festival of cultures and world music. From October 10th until 20th.
• In Bayonne. Points of View is a cultural event dedicated to Street Art in the Basque Country. For a week: residencies of artists from all over the world, exhibitions, introductory workshops, guided tours by bike and tuktuk, concerts, film screenings. Spacejunk art center in Bayonne. From October 16th until 20th.
• In Biarritz. Salon Solutions House. Iraty Hall. The essential event of the Basque Country and the Landes to find solutions in the Universe Eco Habitat, Habitat, House, Decoration, Real Estate, House Wood and Landscaping. From October 17th until 20th.
• In Biarritz. 4th edition of the Festival Invitation to travel. Readings, theater, meetings, conferences, movies. Municipal casino. From October 17th until 20th.
• In Bilbao. International Invisible Film Festival aims to open a window to social realities that are usually excluded from the conventional screen: inequality between genres, infringements of Human Rights, social injustice, inter-culturally, solidarity, cooperation, the environment, ... Azkuna Center. From October 17th until 24th.
• In Bilbao. The BAD Festival of Theater and Contemporary Dance, focuses its attention on new trends in the performing arts, with special attention on the works of living authors and the dialogue between the arts and other mediums such as music, video and performance. From October 17th until 27th.
• In Getxo. XVIII Hall of the Comic and Manga. Parallel activities: feature film projects related to comics, workshops, role-playing games, contests, editorial presentations, round tables, conferences. Squares Station of Las Arenas and Santa Eugenia. From October 18th to 20th.
• In Bilbao. Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti. Euskalduna Palace. October 19th, 21st, 25th, 26th and 28th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. World Press Photo. The most important international photojournalism contest. Every year, the great and the good of journalism and the best international agencies compete. Montehermoso Cultural Center. From October 19th until November 19th.
• In Bilbao. Earth songs project: Fusion Choir - Rock. The world of classic rock seen in a different way. It's rock, it's chorus, it's emotion. Campos Eliseos Theater. October 20th.
• In San Sebastian. International Discussion Meeting on Polymer Crystallization 2019. Miramar Palace. From October 20th until 23rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. IPBES Values Assessment 2nd Authors ’Meeting. Meeting that will discuss the "methodological evaluation of various values of nature", in biological diversity and ecosystem services. Palace of Congresses Europe. From October 21st until 27th.
• In Bilbao. Bilbao Land Series. International Festival of Digital Series of the Basque Country. Meeting between creators of independent content. From October 24th until 27th.
• In Bayonne. KORUAK. 2nd International Festival of Choirs. Gathering of Basque choirs in various places of the city. October 25th and 27th. November 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Concert of the Basque choirs of Arin. Saint John the Baptist Church. October 25th and 31st.
• In Guetaria. The show “Fabiola from Belgium. A royal wedding”proposes to explore the history and concrete context of this iconic piece, the wedding dress of Fabiola de Mora y Aragón. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From October 25th until December 15th.
• In Bilbao. Kunsthalle Bremen masterpieces: from Delacroix to Beckmann. Collection of sculptures, engravings and drawings, focused on art in Germany and France from the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century. Guggenheim museum. From October 25th, 2019 until February 16th, 2020.
• In San Sebastian. Fantastic and Terror Film Week. With parallel activities: exhibitions, cycles, children's activities… October 26th until November 1st.
• In Bilbao. Drawing the Guggenheim: New York, Venice and Bilbao. International meeting of drawing. People of all ages, with or without knowledge of drawing, can participate in this meeting, held simultaneously in the three cities where the headquarters of the Guggenheim Museums are located. Guggenheim museum. October 27th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Zakatumba: death culture festival in a dialogue between different artistic expressions: music, dance, illustration, theater, literature. From October 28th until November 3rd.
• In Bilbao. Swan Lake. Russian National Ballet of S. Radchenko. Euskalduna Palace. October 30th.
• In Biarritz. Halloween wave sweeps over the city!. Enchanted pumpkins, devilish decorations, bewitching animations will captivate young and old ... Public Garden. From October 30th and 31st.
• In Bilbao. BIME Live 2019. Bizkaia International Music Experience is an international gathering of professionals from sectors that work around music. Concerts, talks, round tables, debates, conventions, presentations, fair and training are the ingredients that make up this international event for the unedited music industry in Spain. BEC Centre. From October 30th until November 2nd.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. The city of fear: Halloween in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Downtown. October 31st.
• In Tolosa. 51st International Choral Contest. One of the most important choral competitions at international level, in three categories: Chamber Choirs, Children's Choirs, and Vocal Groups. From October 31st to November 3rd.

I Eco Rallye. Competition of electric and hybrid vehicles.
From October 11th until 13th.

Regarding Basque sports:

• In Biarritz. Basque ball - Cesta punta. Euskal Jaï Aguilera Fronton. October 3th, 10th, 17th, 24th, 27th and 31st.
• In Bilbao. Triathlon. A great triathlon celebration with over 1,300 participants. Olympic and half. October 5th.
• In Gorbeia, Anboto and Aizkorri. XXII Great Fund Test "Hiru Haundiak 2019". Popular and multitudinous mountain race that crosses three emblematic summits. Distance of one hundred kilometers with an ascent gradient plus descent of ten thousand two hundred meters in a maximum of 24 hours. October 5th.
• In Bilbao. I Eco Rallye. Competition of electric and hybrid vehicles. The participation is expected to exceed 50 vehicles. From October 11th until 13th.
• In San Sebastian. Cross the three beaches. A 10-kilometer journey through the three beaches of San Sebastián with about 3,000 athletes. Ondarreta Real Tennis Club (start and finish). October 13th.
• In Bilbao. Bilbao Night Marathon. Three different tests: the marathon (42 kilometers), the half marathon (21 kilometers) and the popular race (10 kilometers) through the heart of the city. Departure: San Mamés. Arrival: Guggenheim Museum. October 19th.
• In San Sebastian. Classic popular pedestrian. For the center of the city the participants will complete a distance of 15 kilometers. October 20th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Final Series Pro Tour Cesta Punta. October 22nd, 25th and 29th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Half Marathon Donibane Hondarribi. October 27th.
• In Labastida. Wine Run Rioja Alavesa. Two sporting challenges around wine: a test of 20 km, and another of 12 km. You can also participate with a popular march between vineyards and wineries. October 27th.

And remember, if you are thinking to come to Bilbao, San Sebastian, Rioja, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Biarritz, Bayonne, 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!