What to do in the Basque Country - Agenda January 2021

Things to do in Bilbao, Rioja, San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Biarritz, Bayonne, Guernica, Getaria…Our selection of best art, sport & cultural events in the Basque Country (Spain and France) during January 2021.

Please note that some of the events below may change due to regulations to control Covid-19.

Exhibition: Eduardo Arroyo engraver.
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Regarding arts, congress and exhibits in Basque Country:

• In San Sebastian. Exhibition: “Elkano. The first travel around the world". The expo claims that the first circumnavigation was possible thanks to Elcano's initiative and his nautical knowledge. Basque Maritime Museum. From November 27th, 2019 to December 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. Chillida Leku. From December 6th, 2019 until January 11th, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. "Windows to the Basque art collection" between the years 1850-1950. Artists who introduced the new artistic languages -impressionism, symbolism or Fauvism- in the Basque Country, after passing through Paris and other European capitals. Museum of Fine Arts of Álava. From January 17th, 2020 until March 28th, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Exhibition “Zeru bat, hamaika bide: artistic practices in the Basque Country between 1977 and 2002”. Room A0, of the Artium Contemporary Art Museum Center. From February 8th, 2020, until further notice.
• 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 April 11th, 2021.
• In Getaria. Fashion and Heritage: Cristobal. 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. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From February 29th, 2020 to April 5th, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition: "J. S. Elkano. After the Footprint". It delves into the biography of Juan Sebastian Elkano (1487/88 -1526), and allows the visitor to follow his life imprint, before, during and after the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Basque Maritime Museum. From June 26th, 2020 until April 11th, 2021.
• In Bayonne. Exhibition: La Poterie D'Art de Ciboure 1919 - 1995. Basque Museum of Bayonne. From July 18th, 2020 to January 3rd, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Exhibition of the Bilbao painter Fernando García Alegría (1895 - 1952). 2020 marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of “Fernando”. Museum of Fine Arts of Álava. From July 21st, 2020 until January 10th, 2021.
• In San Sebastian. Zin Ex. From abstraction to algorithm. It focuses on experimental cinema, to complete the city's cinematic offerings during the San Sebastián Film Festival. Tabakalera International Center for Contemporary Culture. From September 11th, 2020 until January 1st, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Exposure “Lee Krasner: Living color”. Retrospective of the pioneer of North American abstract expressionism Lee Krasner (1908-1984). Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. From September 18th, 2020 until January 10th, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. "Ignacio Figueroa, Marquis of Villamejor". A portrait by Joaquín Bárbara y Balza: life and work of an artista recovered [1867–1931]. Museum of Fine Arts of Álava. From September 25th, 2020 until March 21st, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. XVII International Cycle of Contemporary Music. Bernaola Festival is an important cultural event whose objective is to spread the diversity of the music of the 21st century. Different places in the city: Artium, Jesús Guridi Conservatory of Music ... From October 3rd, 2020 to February 20th, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Masterpieces from the Valdés collection. It shows 79 works, mainly paintings, but also sculptures, two baroque carvings and two classicist marble panels. Many of them are unpublished works, little known or that, until now, had never been exhibited to the public. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From October 7th, 2020 until February 1st, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Moyra Davey exhibition. First solo exhibition of the artist, whose work circulates between the fields of photography, cinema and writing. Artium Museum. From October 8th, 2020 until April 11th, 2021.
• In Bayonne. ABC of Critters. Bayonne Natural History Museum. The exhibition presents sculptures made from recycled material (cans, cans, wire, nails ...) and photos where each animal is staged in an original way. An exhibition to visit with the family !. Collections of the Natural History Museums of Bayonne, Bordeaux and Montauban, showing: hairy crab-eating, ashy curlew, nasal otter, European otter, European pond turtle, pearl mussel…. From October 17th, 2020 to March 21st, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Celebrates! Online 2020. Photography and video brands, restaurants, hotels, travel agencies, DJs, jewelry stores, florists, wedding planners, rental properties and unique places, tents and catering, beauty and hairdressing centers, gifts and details, rental rentals vehicular. Bilbao Exhibition Center. From October 17th, 2020 until April 1st, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition: Arzak in his sauce. A journey through the history of a restaurant always at the forefront. Euskal Museoa. From October 22th, 2020 to January 31rd, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Agustín Ibarrola exhibition, naturalki. Tribute to his 90th birthday. The exhibition focuses on the fundamental relationship established between art and nature in the author's work. Rekalde Room. From October 23rd, 2020 to April 7th, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition: "Otl Aicher. Metro Bilbao. Architecture and landscape". First major international retrospective dedicated to the German graphic designer Otl Aicher, with more than two hundred works and objects from the Archive of the Ulm School of Design in Germany. 80 unpublished drawings of his project for Metro Bilbao stand out. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From November 5th to February 28th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Photographic Exhibition - Florida 200 years. Photographs of the Municipal Archive "Pilar Aróstegui". Ignacio Aldecoa House of Culture, in La Florida Park itself. From November 6th, 2020 to January 30th, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Kandinsky at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Paintings and works on paper and trace the aesthetic evolution of Kadinsky throughout his career. November 20th, 2020 until May 23th, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. VIII Aitzina Folk Festival. A solidarity festival since 2013 with a double mission: the dissemination of folk, with music, dance and workshops, and support for the fight to investigate a rare disease called ataxia telangiectasia. From November 27th, 2020 to January 2nd, 2021.
• In Bayonne. Exhibition: Hugo Pratt, Corto Maltese, Dessin Au Long cours. Hugo Pratt (1927-1995), creator of the famous character Corto Maltese. DIDAM. From November 27th, 2020 until February 14th, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. June Crespo exhibition: Helmets. Sculptor from Navarra awarded several times. Room A1, of the Artium Contemporary Art Museum Center. From December 4th, 2020 to May 2nd, 2021.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition: Eduardo Arroyo engraver. His artistic interests spanned not only painting but also literature, sculpture, and printing. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From December 12th, 2020 to March 7th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Viphoto Fest'20: Pic of the midday. Exhibition of Cecilia de Val. Amárica Room. From December 16th, 2020 until February 7th.
• In Getaria. Christmas at the Balenciaga Museum. Special 2X1 discount. Workshop "From the plane to the volume" (January 2, for children from 6 to 12 years old). Workshop "Create your felt beret" (January 3, from 7 to 14 years old). Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. From December 22nd, 2020 to January 10th, 2021 (except Mondays, December 25th and January 1st).
• In Durango. Maluta - Christmas Circus. San Agustin Kultur Gunea and the Ganso & Cia company will transform the theater into a large circus tent. From December 26th, 2020 to January 3rd.
• In Amurrio. Sudden's day. Bertso jaialdia: Unai Agirre Goia + Amets Arzallus + Sustrai Colina + Beñat Gaztelumendi + Maialen Lujanbio + Jon Maia + Aitor Mendiluze + Aitor Sarriegi. Amurrio Theater. January 2nd.
• In San Sebastian. "Heroes and Heroines": 250th anniversary of L.V. Beethoven (1770-1827). EGO (Young Orchestra of Euskal Herria). Chamber room. Kursaal Palace. 250th anniversary of the birth of said composer. January 2nd.
• In Bilbao. Be quiet, you are more beautiful! The feminist comedy show. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 2nd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Gabon Zinema 2020-2021. Montehermoso Cultural Center. From January 2nd until 5th.
• In Bilbao. Hitcshock. Scartaris Artistic Group. Play written and directed by Samuel Gibert. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 2nd and 9th.
• In Bilbao. Queenmania. With Play the Game, the best Queen tribute band. Rock as a family. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 3rd.
• In Bilbao. "Heroes and Heroines": 250th anniversary of L.V. Beethoven (1770-1827). EGO (Young Orchestra of Euskal Herria). Euskalduna Palace. 250th anniversary of the birth of said composer. January 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Bes-Te-Bat !: Belako. Jimmy Jazz Room. January 5th.
• In Bilbao. Goyo Jiménez: Confusion. The funniest show that Goyo is capable of doing. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 5th and 6th.
• In Bilbao. Municipal Band of Txistularis. January is dedicated to dance. Day 7: collaboration in the presentation of the album ARINEKETAN by Jagoba Astiazaran and Iñar Sastre. On the 27th he will present the show ESKU BURDINAK, dedicated to Basque mining, together with the Oinkari dance group. Euskalduna Palace. January 7th and 27th.
• In Bayonne. New Soul Fifties album released in 2019: Alain Souchon. Is an artist apart in the landscape of French song. Lauga Room. January 8th.
• In Bilbao. Annie. The musical. One of the most successful Broadway musicals is here!. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 8th and 9th.
• In Bilbao. The best mother in the world. Play based on the homonymous novel by Nuria Labari. Arriaga Theater. January 8th and 9th.
• In Bilbao. Toundra Concert: soundtrack to "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". Arriaga Theater. January 10th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. 'Inclusive city, educating city'. 2nd session of the thematic network of the State Network of Educating Cities (RECE). Europe Conference Center. January 11th.
• In Bayonne. Ruin Porn Body is a kind of memory road movie, a journey on the roads of time. Through themes such as the ruin, abandonment and aging of places. “Théâtre du Corps” by Thierry Escarmant. Michel Portal Theater. January 12th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. KAD Trio. Vital Fundazioa Kulturunea. January 12th.
• In Bilbao. Theater: The Journey to Nowhere, by Fernando Fernán Gómez. He tells us about a way of exercising the profession of comedian, in a traveling company. Arriaga Theater. From January 14th until 24th.
• In Bayonne. Hervé Barbereau's new show: "Hypnosis through time". Show where humor and anecdotes intermingle. La Luna Negra. January 15th.
• In Bilbao. The unfortunate circus of Raúl Cimas. And the pirate's orchestra. Comedian. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 15th and 16th.
• In San Sebastian. Season of subscription of the opera. Aire nordikoa: B. Bartok, J. Sibelius and L.V. Beethoven. Euskadiko Orkestra: Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Kursaal Palace. January 15th and 21st.
• In Bayonne. Tara: from resilience to life. The winner of the 2nd Edition of Radio-Crochet “Singing under the Luna”, comes to present her universe to us. Voices, guitars and instruments from around the world. La Luna Negra. January 16th.
• In Amurrio. Bes-Te-Bat !: Izaro. Amurrio Theater. January 16th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Willis Drummond in Concert. Jimmy Jazz Room. January 16th.
• In Bilbao. Strad, the rebellious violinist. He spins 'Opposite Worlds'. The Spanish artist Jorge Guillén is considered one of the most virtuous violinists of the moment. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 17^th.
• In Biarritz. FIPADOC - International Documentary Festival. International Co-Production Forum and the Campus are already organized to be accessible also from a distance. A fully digital edition will be rolled out if the conditions to organize a hybrid festival are not met. Gare Du Midi Theater. From January 18th until 24th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Albert Guinovart, piano. Vital Fundazioa Kulturunea. January 19th.
• In Bilbao. Flamenco: “Poseidón”. The Sevillian bailaor presents us with an allegory of the suffering of men exercised by other men and of the need for the intervention of a god, Poseidon. Euskalduna Palace. January 20th.
• In Bayonne. How to marry a billionaire. A good marriage remains a very good remedy for insecurity. Unique in its kind, this "economic one-woman-show" is a bit like the "who's who" of international wealth for young girls to marry. La Luna Negra. From January 20^th until 23^rd.
• In Bilbao. The Mexican tenor Javier Camarena. One of the great lyrical voices of today. Arriaga Theater. January 21st.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Season of subscription of the opera. Aire nordikoa: B. Bartok, J. Sibelius and L.V. Beethoven. Euskadiko Orkestra: Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Principal Theater. January 22nd.
• In Amurrio. Bes-Te-Bat !: Nøgen. Amurrio Theater. January 23rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. The Killer Swing. Jimmy Jazz Room. January 23rd.
• In Bilbao. Comedian Valeria Ros: Mature. Healthy humor, exaggerated and with many strokes of improvisation and interaction with the public. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 24th.
• In San Sebastian. Philippe Jaroussky accompanied by the Ensemble Artaserse and Hasse a Scarlatti program. Arias from oratorios of baroque music. Kursaal Palace. January 25th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Bizigarri Trio. Vital Fundazioa Kulturunea. January 26th.
• In Bilbao. Theater: The food of the flies. Arriaga Theater. January 26th and 27th.
• In San Sebastian. Season of subscription. Survivors. Euskadiko Orkestra: Symphony Orchestra of the Basque Country. Kursaal Palace. January 29th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Repeat offenders: "Radically Acoustic". Jimmy Jazz Room. January 29th.
• In Bilbao. Theater: Pedro Páramo. One of the fundamental works of the South American narrative of the 20th century. Arriaga Theater. January 29th and 30th.
• In Bilbao. Luis Piedrahita: It is my word against mine. New monologue of the humorist. Campos Eliseos Theater. January 29th and 30th.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition: Bilbao and painting. Selection of paintings made by artists who worked in Bilbao in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From January 29th until August 29th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Akusma. Jesús Guridi Conservatory of Music. January 30th.
• In Bilbao. The exhibition “The Roaring Twenties” focuses on Berlin and Paris, but also includes looks at other avant-garde hotbeds, such as Vienna and Zurich. It is a cooperation between Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Kunsthaus Zürich. From next May 7th, 2021 until September 19th, 2021.

Bilbao. XXII "International Exhibition of Nativity Scenes of the World"

Best Basques traditions and festivities:

• 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 Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Noël 2020. Local events, Concert, Youth Audience Show, Procession, Parade. November 27^th, 2020 until January 3th.
• In Bilbao. Traditional nativity scenes. 13 nativity scenes of different formats and styles. Museum of Steps. From December 1st, 2020 until January 7th.
• In Bilbao. Traditional nativity scenes. The Church of San Nicolás, the Cathedral of Santiago, the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, the Mercado de la Ribera, the Basque Museum and the Bilbao Maritime Museum show the public more than 50 nativity scenes composed of almost 800 handmade figures. From December 1st, 2020 until January 7th.
• In San Sebastian. Christmas Market. The Buen Pastor Cathedral Square and the Urumea riverside walk. Inspired by Centraleurope Christmas Markets, this Christmas Fair has a wide commercial offer, leisure space, its activities program…. From December 1st., 2020 until January 7th.
• In Laguardia. Articulated nativity scene. One of the few baroque nativity scenes with movement that are preserved today. Set of 73 pieces of which most are Rococo style. Church of Santa Maria de los Reyes. From December 1st, 2020 until February 7th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Casa del Olentzero and Mari Domingi. House that they have installed in the Garden of the Zulueta Palace. From December 4th, 2020 to January 6th until 9:30 p.m.
• In Bilbao. XXII "International Exhibition of Nativity Scenes of the World". Santxotena Museum Exhibition. This year at Deusto Expo Center you will see more than 1,300 nativity scenes brought from around the world. From December 4th, 2020 to January 31st.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Belen Monumental. Popular tradition since 1962. Composed of more than 200 human figures, buildings and hundreds of animals and accessories. Florida Park. From December 4^th, 2020 until January 6th.
• In Bilbao. GABONART. XXXVI Christmas Craft Fair. Exhibition and sale of craft products. From December 11th until January 10th, 2020.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Christmas Craft Fair 'Lan ta lan'. Province Square. From December 11^th, 2020 to January 10th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Children's Christmas Park. Wide range of activities to enjoy in family, especially for the children of the house. Hegoalde Civic Center. From December 26^th, 2020 to January 4th. Cancelled.
• In Deba. Urteberriko Fair. Exhibition and sale of farmhouse products. Cattle exhibition. Fruit, vegetable and cheese contest. January 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao and San Sebastian. Cavalcade of Kings. January 5th and 6th. Cancelled.
• In Lazkao. Donkey day. Astotxo Fair. Contest, exhibition and rating of the donkey of Gipuzkoa. January 12th.
• In Sestao. Fair of agricultural products of Euskal Herria. Competition for vegetables, cheese, bread, Basque cake. St. Peter's Square. January 12th.
• In Astigarraga. Start of the season of the Basque Cider. Around January 15th. 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 the end of May.
• In Getaria. Presentation of the Getaria txakoli season. Coinciding with the festival of San Antón. Txakoli, anchovies and bonito. Basque sports, music and bertxolaris (Basque repentistas). January 17th.
• In Mungia and Amurrio. San Antón Fair. Morcillas and Chorizos Contest, ball games and sale of products of the hamlet, kitchen utensils, trees and plants of all kinds. From January 17th to 22nd.
• In Arrasate / Mondragón. Zuhaitz Eguna. Tree Day. Sale and exhibition of trees. January 18th.
• In San Sebastian, Tafalla and Azpeitia. The most popular festivity of San Sebastian, the Drum Festival "Danborrada". The city is filled with drums, barrels, parades, colour, music & food! in honour to the local saint (Saint Sebastian). A true local festival loved by locals and only enjoyed by locals as the best part happens during the night of 19th January (starting at 8pm and with the raise of the local flag on the midnight of 19th to 20th that will wave in the Constitution Square until the midnight of 20th to 21st). January 19th and 20th.
• In Zarautz. Sagardo eguna. Cider day. January 26th.
• In Ituren and Zubieta (Navarre). Carnival. One of the most interesting local festivals takes place with the Zanpantzar announcing carnival time. Festival of Tourist Interest in Navarra. On January 27th and 28th. Pending confirmation.
• In Anoeta, Astigarraga, Irun, Tolosa and San Sebastian. The party of the boilermakers. Various comparsas emulate the Hungarian Gypsies who visited the city to sell their products during the Carnivals. It is a peculiar way of announcing this holiday. January 30th.
• In Agurain-Salvatierra, Campezo-Kanpezu, Lantarón, Laudio-Llodio, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Zalduondo. Carnival in the province of Álava. From January 30th to February 21st.

 

Ice skating in the White Virgin Square. Vitoria-Gasteiz

Regarding Basques and others sports:

• In Bilbao. Ice rink and slide. Ecological ice. Muelle del Arenal, and Muelle de Ripa. From November 18th to January 5th. Cancelled.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Ice skating in the White Virgin Square. From December 14t until January 6th. From 10 in the morning to 10 at night. Cancelled.
• In Gorbea, Zaldiaran, Adarra, Urkiolagirre, Loatzo ... and other Basque mountains. Start / End the year in the bush. One of the most entrenched traditions is to say goodbye to the year or greet the entree from one of the reference peaks. December 31 and January 1st. Cancelled.

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

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