What to do in the Basque Country Events – Agenda May 2020


TRADITIONS, ART, MUSIC, EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS BASQUE AGENDA. MAY 2020.

A list of best events for the traveller in May 2020 in the Basque Country (Spain & France) selected by Aitor Delgado Tours. Cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian, Rioja, Guernica, Biarritz, Bayonne, Vitoria-Gasteiz,…


Please note that some of the events below may change due to regulations to control Covid-19.
In Balmaseda. Medieval market. May 9th and 10th.

Regarding traditions and festivities in Basque region:
  • In Astigarraga. Season of the Basque Cider. The main area in the Basque Country is in Astigarraga (near San Sebastián). There are some 51 Basque cider houses in Guipúzcoa, 10 in Vizcaya and 2 in Alava. The cider season begins on January 15th and runs until May 24th.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Feast of San Prudencio and Our Lady of Estíbaliz. From April 27th until May 1st.
  • In Ordizia. Agricultural Fair. Farm products fair. Every Wednesday.
  • In Hondarribia. Agricultural Fair. Sale of local products, Wednesdays at Damarri Plaza and Saturdays at the Port.
  • In Mungia. Peasant Market. Exhibition and sale of farm products. Every Friday.
  • In Bilbao. Gure Lurreko Merkatuak. Market of products of the hamlets of Bizkaia, made in a traditional way by their farmers, with Basque varieties and native breeds. Slow food, natural and local foods. Tinglados del Arenal. Every Saturday.
  • In Tolosa. Agricultural Fair. Farm products fair. Every Saturday.
  • In Irun. Agricultural Fair. Vegetable Fair. Every Saturday.
  • In Bilbao. Flower and plant market. Flowers and plants grown and collected directly by local producers. A melting pot of colors and smells. Tinglados del Arenal. Every Sunday.
  • In Trucios. Exhibition of cattle breeds of Trucios-Turtzioz: bovine, equine, ovine, poultry and the VI monochrome contest of the villainous dog. Stalls of talo, Spanish sausage, bread ... May 1st.
  • In Idiazabal, Gipuzkoa. Basque Cheese Fair. Contest and fair of Basque sheep cheeses in the city which gives the name to the Denomination of Origin of this Basque delicacy. During the morning you can see a shepherd leading the sheep. May 2nd and 3rd.
  • In Navaridas. Historical Wine Fair. Fair designed to learn about the history of wine in the world and highlight the importance of Rioja Alavesa wine. Paired tastings and local products. May 3rd.
  • In Mirandaola and Legazpi. Feast of the Holy Cross in Legazpi and Mirandaola Day. On May 3, 1580, a miracle happened at the Mirandaola Ironworks. From May 3rd to 10th.
  • In Berango. Agricultural and craft fair, and XXII Basque Country Championship of Basque Pastry. Fair of agricultural products and artisans; wood, pottery, fossils and minerals, jewelery ... there will also be stalls of talo, cheeses, honey, preserves, chocolate, txakoli ... etc. May 3rd.
  • In Orduña. Festivities Otxomaio. It recalls the appearance of the Virgin of La Antigua, patron of the city. From May 3rd to 12th.
  • In Getaria. "Antxua Eguna" (Anchovy Day). Anchovy and txakoli tasting. Basque dancers and txistularis. May 8th.
  • In Balmaseda. Medieval market. Reference of the cultural offer of the Basque Country. May 9th and 10th.
  • In Tolosa. Haragi: International meeting of the meat and the grill. From May 9th until 12th.
  • In Kuartango. XVIII edition of the fair of the perretxiko and cattle of terreña race. Sale of perretxikos in the area. Exhibition and sale of artisan products. Monographic and exhibition of cattle of terreña race. Gastronomic tasting of terreña cow. May 10th.
  • In Laguardia. Bagpipers Day. The bagpipers from Alava and Spain. Concerts, dance festivals, composition competitions and restoration works, dances, parades ... May 10th.
  • In Ataun, Respaldiza, Larrabetzu, Zeanuri, Astigarraga, Antzuola, and more. Festival of San Isidro.Vegetable competition. Elaboration and tasting of cheeses and cider tasting. May 15th.
  • In La puebla de Labarca. Wine Flag of Lapuebla de LabarcaStands of local wineries. Lunches and music throughout the day. Bateles, rowing clubs of the Basque Country on the Ebro River. May 16th.
  • In Gernika-Lumo. Medieval market. Combats on horses, archery competitions or the ride of the geese, among others. From May 16th to 24th.
  • In Muskiz. Eguzki Fest. Spring festival with music, good food, creativity and design, with a sales area, tastings and activities. 15 minutes from Bilbao. May 16th and 17th.
  • In Usurbil. Sagardo Eguna (Cider Day). Pouring Championship. May 17th.
  • In San Francisco Javier Castell. "Javieradas". They are the popular, festive, penance or missionary pilgrimages to San Javier, Patron of the Missions and of Navarre. May 17th and May 25th.
  • In Ondarroa. Antxoa Egune (Anchovy Day). A full day dedicated its most iconic fish. The central day of the party is Saturday 16th, but during the week various events are also organized.
  • In Antoñana. Spring fair of honey. Competition, tasting, sale of honey and artisan products. Exhibition of crafts. May 17th.
  • In Bayonne. Art Crafts Festival. Cloister of the cathedral. From May 21st until 24th.
  • In Bermeo, Biscay. Arrain Azoka. Fish market in one of the biggest ports of the North of Spain. A good opportunity to try also fishes and preparations not so common in the Basque Country. Lamera Park. From May 22nd until 24th.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Miniature Pintxos Congress. Palace of Congresses Europe. In addition to the congress, it has a complete program of activities aimed at both the professional sector and the general public. From May 22nd to 27th.
  • In Amurrio. Txakoli Day. Gastronomic contest. May 24th.
  • In Pasaia. Maritime Festival. Meeting of traditional boats from different places on the European continent. From May 28th until June 1st.
  • In Tolosa. Feast of sea bream and cider. Menu meals and dinners based on sea bream, pairing dinners, screenings, theater-dance show and other activities. From May 29th until 31st.

In Saint Lean de Luz. Concert by the Beltza Gorria choirs.
Harriet Baïta marquee. May 15th.
Regarding arts and exhibits in Basque region:
  • In Bilbao. Exhibition: ABC. The alphabet of the Bilbao Museum. With this expo the 110th birthday of the museum is celebrated. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From October 6th, 2018 until December 30th, 2020.
  • In Bilbao. J. S. Elkano. Behind the footprint. He delves into the biography of Juan Sebastian 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 26th, 2019 until June 26th, 2020.
  • In San Sebastian. Exhibition: "Elkano. The first tour of the world". Basque Maritime Museum. From November 27th, 2019 until May 31st.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Elena Mendizabal: Sculpture. It also shows a series of photographs, drawings or collages, of which the exhibition incorporates significant pieces. Artium Museum. From November 8th, 2019 until May 3rd, 2020.
  • In Hernani. Eduardo Chillida: Seeking the light expo. From a trip that the sculptor made in 1963 through Greece, Italy and French Provence in which he discovers new concepts around light and architecture. Squeak Leku. From December 6th, 2019 until June 1st 2020.
  • In Bilbao. Olafur Eliasson: In real life. Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson places the viewer's experience at the core of his art. Guggenheim Museum. From February 14th until June 21st.
  • In Bilbao. Richard Artschwager. Exhibition co-organized by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and MART - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto. From February 28th until May 10th.
  • In Getaria. Fashion and Heritage: Cristóbal. It puts the focus on Cristóbal Balenciaga himself and the imprint he has left behind as a person through various objects that belonged to him and that have been collected in the Museum's collections. Part of the annual program for the 125th anniversary of his birth. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. From February 29th to June 22nd.
  • In Socoa. Puppet show. Show for the youth public. Untxin-Socoa parking. From April 30th to May 3rd.
  • In Bilbao. Géneve Ballet du Grant Theater: Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”. Music: Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Euskalduna. May 1st and 2nd.
  • In Bilbao. Kopernikus: a ritual opera of death. Canadian composer Claude Vivier's opera. Euskalduna. May 1st and 2nd.
  • In San Sebastian. Tango Festival. With demonstrations and free courses. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From May 1st until 3rd.
  • In San Sebastian. Spain Poker Championship. Second stage of the circuit. Kursaal Casino. From May 6th until 10th.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. The heavenly bodies is a show in which the richness of the contrasts between dance, flamenco and electronic music is played. Marco Vargas & Chloé Brülé Company. Main Theater. May 7th.
  • In San Sebastian. Program: New World. Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Kursaal Auditorium. May 7th and 11th.
  • In Bilbao. Program: New World. Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Euskalduna Palace. May 8th.
  • In San Sebastian. Sevatur: Hall of Evasion and Tourism. Kursaal Palace. From May 8th to 10th.
  • In Bilbao. FANTInternational Fantastic Film Festival. From May 8th until 16th In Biarritz. Récital - Piano & Violoncelle: Schubert & Rachmaninov. Espace Bellevue. May 10th.
  • In Bilbao. Program: Bach & Händel. Symphony Orchestra of Bilbao. Euskalduna Palace. May 14th and 15th.
  • In San Sebastian. Gala D´Étoiles. With world stars from the Teatro de La Scala Milano, San Francisco Ballet, Kremlin Ballet and Russian Classical Ballet. Kursaal Auditorium. May 15th.
  • In Saint Lean de Luz. Concert by the Beltza Gorria choirs. Harriet Baïta marquee. May 15th.
  • In Errenteria. Musikaste: Musical Week. Festivity that has been celebrated since 1974, with the purpose of promoting and promoting the autochthonous musical culture. From May 15th until 23rd.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Dulce Pontes. Sing along with guitarist Daniel Casares and double bassist Yelsy Heredia. Main Theater. May 15th.
  • In Bilbao. Technarte. Artists and technologists from all over the world share their vision of the fusion between art, science and technology. Euskalduna Palace. May 16th and 17th.
  • In Bilbao. Opera: Anna Bolena. ABAO Bilbao Opera. Euskalduna. May 16th, 19th, 22nd and 25th.
  • In San Sebastian. Symphonic Pop Live!. Queen, Beatles, ABBA, Elvis, ... Kursaal Auditorium. May 17th.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Ekomusik. Build musical instruments in an artisanal way respecting the environment and seek the essence of music, which seems to emerge from nature itself. Basque Country Symphony Orchestra. Main Theater. May 17th.
  • In Basque Country. International Museum Day. Wide range of activities for several days. May 18th.
  • In Saint Lean de Luz. Concert by the Basque choirs of Arin. Church of Saint John the Baptist. Harriet Baïta marquee. May 21st.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. West Side story. Antzokia Theater. From May 21st to 24th.
  • In Biarritz. Antiques fair. 40 exhibitors around 3 Vintage Universes: Objects, clothes, photos ... From May 21st until 24th
  • In San Sebastian. Pianist and writer James Rhodes in concert for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. Kursaal Auditorium. May 22nd.
  • In Bilbao. Film Symphony Orchestra: FSO TOUR 19 | 20. The best movie music in concert!. Euskalduna. May 23rd.
  • In San Sebastian. Film Symphony Orchestra: FSO TOUR 19 | 20. The best movie music in concert! Kursaal Palace. March 24th.
  • In San Sebastian. Beethoven and his time. 250th anniversary celebration of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. Kursaal Auditorium. May 24th and June 21st.
  • In San Sebastian. National Dance Company. Kursaal Auditorium. May 26th.
  • In Saint Jean de Luz. Andalusian festival. 84 boulevard thiers. From May 28th until June 1st.
  • In San Sebastian. Program: Transcendence. Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Kursaal Auditorium. May 29th and June 1st.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Pagliacci. Opera Avoz. Orchestra "Opera Non Heritage". Main Theater. May 30th.
  • In Bilbao. 130th anniversary of the Arriaga Theater. Joaquín Achúcarro conducts the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Concert with the overture of La Gioconda de Ponchielli and works by Beethoven, for the 250th anniversary of his birth. May 31st.
  • In Zumaia. Ignacio Zuloaga cultural space. Studio of famous Basque pintos of recognized international prestige. Santiago House. Open from April to September. Private visits all year.

In Zumaia. Flysch Trail. Mountain race along the Basque coast.
May 3rd.

Regarding Basque sports:

  • In Zumaia. Flysch Trail. Mountain race along the Basque coast. 27 kilometers and a drop of 1,640 meters. May 3rd.
  • In Biarritz. Pelote Basque to Grand Chistera. Championnat de France. Parc Mazon. May 4th, 7th, 14th,18th, 21st, 25th and 28th.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. EDP Martín Fiz Marathon. Run of about 42 km, through the center and outskirts. May 10th.
  • In Zegama. Alpina Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon 2020. Qualifying event for the Golden Trail World Series 2020. More than 42 kilometers. May 24th.
  • In Bilbao. Menditrail. 21 km sports event around Bilbao, its green ring and its most emblematic peaks. There is also a mountain hike, a 9 km family run and a photo contest. May 24th.
  • In Biarritz. X Riders. Festival of extreme sports motorcycle and bicycle: Three sessions of 2h15 per day. Halle d'Iraty. May 30th and 31st.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Women's career inside the city. May 31st.
And remember, if you are thinking to come to Bilbao, San Sebastian, Rioja, Guernica, Vitoria-Gasteiz or anywhere else in the Basque Country, you can get a better understading on our culture and traditions with a local guide.

 contact Aitor Delgado Basque Private Tour Guide

Enjoy the Basque Country!

You can also contact us or expand information through the new website that we launched in December 2019.