What to do in the Basque Country – Agenda May 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 & France) during May 2021.

Please note that some of the events below may change due to temporary regulations taken to control Covid-19 on the time of the event.

 In Bilbao. Flower market. Every Sunday.

Regarding traditions and festivities in Basque region:

• 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 market. One of the most traditional markets in the city. Sheds of the Arenal. Every Sunday.
• 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 San Francisco Javier Castell. "Javieradas". They are the popular, festive, penance or missionary pilgrimages to San Javier, Patron of the Missions and of Navarre. From April 12th until May 7th.
• In Bayonne. Ham Fair. For Bayonne, the ham fair is a highlight, convivial, unmissable, the honor of a terroir and traditional craftsmanship. Quais of Nive. From April 9^th until 12^th. Postponed to October, 2021.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Feast of San Prudencio and Our Lady of Estíbaliz.. From April 27^th until May 1^st.

In Idiazabal, Gipuzkoa. Basque Cheese Fair. 
May 1^st and 2^nd.

• 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 1^st and 2^nd.
• In Navaridas. IX 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 2nd.
• In Orduña. Festivities Otxomaio. It recalls the appearance of the Virgin of La Antigua, patron of the city. From May 3^rd to 12th. Cancelled.
• In Tolosa. Haragi: International meeting of the meat and the grill. Chop Festival in El Tinglado. From May 6th until 9th.
• In Getaria. "Antxua Eguna" (Anchovy Day). Anchovy and txakoli tasting. Basque dancers and txistularis. May 7th.
• 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 9th.
• In Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Rioja. Celebrations in honor of the Saint. Domingo founded a brotherhood that —more than 900 years later— continues to serve the pilgrims on the French pilgrimage route. Day of his death: May 12th. From May 11th to 13th.
• In Respaldiza. Agricultural, livestock and crafts fair. Cattle exhibition and contest. Exhibition and sale of artisan and homemade products, agricultural machinery, cheese and txakoli (local and regional). May 15th.
• In Antoñana (Campezo). XXVI Spring Fair. Honey Contest. Sale of honey and local products. May 16th.
• In Ondarroa. Antxoa Egune (Anchovy Day). A full day dedicated its most iconic fish. The central day of the party is Saturday May 15th, but during the week various events are also organized.
• 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 21st until 23th.
• In Getaria. "Arrantzale" day (fisherman). Festival dedicated to local fishermen, organized by the “Elkano” Fishermen's Association. May 30th.
• 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 June 18th to 27th.

ABC: The alphabet of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.

Regarding arts and exhibits in Basque region:

• In Bilbao. ABC: The alphabet of the Bilbao Museum. Exhibition for its 110 years of inauguration. Museum of Fine Arts. From October 6th, 2018 until December 30th, 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 September 26th.
• 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. Until May 25th.
• 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 September 12th.
• In Bilbao. Bilbao and the Painting. A perspective of painting in Bilbao on the 19th Century when Bilbao was one of the most important cities in Spain through a set of artist which incorporated French Impressionism and other avant-garde art currents. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. From January 1st until August 28th.
• In Tolosa. Men, Women & Puppets. The exhibition brings together 75 puppets of different techniques belonging to some of the most illustrious fathers, mothers, innovators, and some of the 7000 puppeteers members of the International Puppet Union (UNIMA). From January 20th until May 30th.
• In San Sebastian. Exhibition: Paul Caballero Barturen. He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Basque Country and after finishing his studies, he moved to Madrid where he specialized in illustration and animation. Aiete Cultural Center. From January 27th until May 9th.
• In Hernani. Leges naturae. Selection of little-known and rarely exhibited works. Chillida Leku Museum. From January 28th to June 10th.

 Juncal Ballestín. Life as an exercise.
Artium Museum, Vitoria-Gasteiz.
From January 29th until May 16th.

• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Juncal Ballestín. Life as an exercise. A selection of best pieces of Juncal Ballestin. Ballestín's work is characterized by the plurality of materials, media and techniques used: painting, drawing, installation, video, graphic work... all of them structured in series such as the one entitled Painting. Apology, 1975-2013. Artium Museum. From January 29th until May 16th.
• In San Sebastian. Seeing Auschwitz. After presenting the award-winning “Auschwitz. Not a long time ago. Not far” produced together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, the San Sebastian company “Musealia” returns to the concentration camp with a new exhibition: Seeing Auschwitz. The exhibition challenges us to observe with a critical eye the imagery related to Auschwitz, based on a relatively small number of photographs, mostly taken by the Nazi soldiers themselves, and explore details in those images that have gone unnoticed to us before. Koldo Mitxelena Kulturunea From January 27th until July 3rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Expo: Basque artistic and cultural practices from 1977 to 2002. Artium Center. From February 8th to December.
• 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 San Sebastian. "Black Light" exhibition on Margaret Watkins (Ontario 1884-Glasgow 1969) Canadian photographer who is remembered for her innovative publicity photography. It compiles 144 photographs of the author taken between 1919 and 1938. Tabakalera. From March 5th until May 30th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Expo: Bigarren bidea (Second way). Basque women's artists from 1977 to date. Artium Center. From March 5th to December.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition of movable industrial material considered Cultural Heritage. 2,000 pieces: old motorcycles, fire trucks, linotypes and printing material, remains of the mining industry and its auxiliary sector, anchors, a port crane, motors, hydraulic presses, models…. Konsoni Factory - Konsoni Lantegia. From March 5th until January 7th, 2022.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Playing cards women producers: A living memory. The work carried out by these women stands out. Museo Fournier de Naipes de Álava. From March 24th until January 31st, 2022.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Katinka Bock. "Logbook (invitations and routes)". First exhibition dedicated to the Frankfurt am Main artist in Spain. Artium Center. From March 27th to September 12th.
• In Azpeitia. Travel on the steam train. The Basque Railway Museum presents one of the best railway collections in Europe, with locomotives of all kinds, wagons, clocks as well as perfectly restored and in-use historical electrical installations. From March 31th until November 1st.

Exhibition - Event Jackie and the Kennedys.
From April 5th to September 5th. Biarritz. 

• In Biarritz. Exhibition - Event Jackie and the Kennedys. 164 large format prints, captioned by an anecdote, often unpublished. Public Garden, Grande Plage, Square d'Ixelles, Côte des Basques, Golf le Phare. From April 5th to September 5th.
• In Bilbao. Frozen, the tribute. The origin of ice. An adventure for the whole family with all the songs from the two films. Campos Elíseos Theater. April 11th and June 5th.
• In Bilbao. Mendiburu. Matter and memory. More than a hundred pieces including sculptures and works on paper. Museum of Fine Arts. Room 32. From April 14th until September 5th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Jalgi! Voice Festival. Diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative proposals to broaden horizons and bring lyrical and classical music closer. From April 15th until June 13th.
• In Bilbao. The ham dilemma. A comedy about lactose intolerance… and others. On fatherhood, loneliness and intolerance with Gurutze Beitia and Txemi Parra. Euskalduna Palace - Sala 0B. From April 30th until May 9th.
• In Bilbao. Solitaire. Story of a writer who tells us about her experiences riding between fiction and reality. Campos Elíseos Theater. April 30th and May 1st.
• In Bilbao. Womanology. José Ramón Prieto Collection. Contemporary art made up exclusively of female artists, most of them belonging to the same generation. Museum of Fine Arts. From April 30th until September 5th.
• In Getaria. Exhibition “Alaïa & Balenciaga. Sculptors of the form”. More than 100 works by both creators - Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017) and Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) - belonging to the collections of the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation in Paris. Tenth anniversary of the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. From April 30th until October 31st.
• In Bilbao. Solitaire. The story of a writer who tells us about her experiences riding between fiction and reality. Company: A Trompicones Teatro. Campos Elíseos Theater. May 1st.
• In San Sebastian. "Requiem", W.A. Mozart. Orchestra and choir Opus Lirica. Kursaal Palace. May 1st and 2nd.
• In Bayonne. Stopover of the historic replica of the frigate Shtandart dating from the 18th century. Given the health situation, the frigate will not be open to the public. Quai Edmond Foy at the Allées Marines. From May 1st to 3rd.
• In Bilbao. "Uniko". Puppet show and theater for all audiences from 6 years + Colloquium. BBK Sala. May 2nd.
• In Bilbao. Flamenco show "Poseidón". Euskalduna Palace. May 2nd.

Los Panchos in concert. Boleros.
Campos Elíseos Theater, Bilbao. May 2nd.

• In Bilbao. Los Panchos in concert. Boleros. Campos Elíseos Theater. May 2nd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. June Crespo exhibition: helmets. In her pieces, Crespo works from sculpture with a language that refers to the body and its relationships with architecture. Artium Museum. Until May 2nd.
• In San Sebastian. India, from Rajasthan to Benares, passing through Calcutta. Conference organized by the Catalina de Erauso Art Club. Kutxa Kultur (Tabakalera, 4th floor). May 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. AVANZA - IV Professional Training Fair of Álava. Ikaslan Araba and Egibide. Europe Conference Center. May 4th, 5th and 6th.
• In Bilbao. Austrian soloist Birgit Kolar will address Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 1. Euskadiko Orkestra - Basque Country Symphony Orchestra. Euskalduna Palace. May 5th.
• In Amurrio. Book Fair. Juan de Urrutia Square. From May 5th to 9th.
• In San Sebastian. Confusio, Goyo Jiménez. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From May 6th until 8th.
• In Bilbao. "The constant prince" by Calderón de la Barca. Lluís Homar in the role of the infant Don Fernando. National Classical Theater Company. Arriaga Theater. May 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Kor`sia: Giselle. Eleven dancers and the original music of Adolphe Adam will represent this game of mirrors, of dualities that is this Giselle. Principal Theater. May 7th.
• In San Sebastian. Show «The time of Pablo Ibarburu». Stand Up Comedy. Kursaal Palace. May 7th and 8th.
• In Bilbao. FANT. International Fantastic Film Festival. From May 7^th until 16th
• In Salvatierra, Legutiano, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Alava School of Young Bertsolaris 2021. From May 7th to 25th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Poets in May - IX International Poetry Festival. Seminars, recitals, concerts, displays of visual poetry, popular readings ... Various locations. From May 7th to 29th.
• In Bilbao. Los locos años 20. Exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in which the artistic director of the Arriaga Theater, Calixto Bieito, participates as a designer. And in the theater you can see a program for two months that will evoke that time of effervescence and creative freedom. From May 7th to September 19th.
• In Bilbao. "Willis Drummond". BBK Gertutik cycle. Electroacoustic concert. BBK room. May 8th.

TEDx Vitoria-Gasteiz Congress.
Let's explore the uncertainty.
Europe Conference Center. May 8th.

• In Vitoria-Gasteiz TEDxVitoriaGasteiz Congress. Let's explore the uncertainty. Europe Conference Center. May 8th.
• In Biarritz. Malandain Ballet Biarritz - Mozart à 2, Boléro & Création. Maurice Ravel's emblematic Bolero will let the dancers move in a small space. Gare du Midi Theater. May 8th and 9th.
• In Bilbao. Bataklan kabaret. Asier Bilbao, Yogurinha and Fellini. Reinventing the most shameless Bilbao. Campos Elíseos Theater. May 8th and 9th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Living room music. Four interpreters are surprised by the quarantine in an apartment. Production of the Music Classroom of Euskadiko Orkestra. Principal Theater. May 9th.
• In San Sebastian. The things that I know are true. Verónica Forqué & Julio Vélez. Victoria Eugenia Theater. May 9th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Paco Ibáñez in concert. "Clarity, do not leave my eyes ... he hears, behind my words, the cry of the men who cannot speak." Principal Theater. May 14th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Zurrunbilo 2021 - Basque Contemporary Performing Arts Festival. Baratza Room. From May 14th until 16th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rodrigo Cuevas Concert: Trópico de Covadonga. The show revolves around the concept of time and the cycles of the year. Part of the commemorative events for May 17, Day Against Lesbo-Bi-Gay-Transphobia. Principal Theater. May 15th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Udagora Fest. Film festival that aims to bring the city closer to the youngest through cinema and increase the cultural offer. Villa Suso Palace; Matxete Square. May 15th.
• In San Sebastian. Akatz | concert-meeting. Ska, soul, rocksteady, jazz, R&B, swing ... Kutxa Kultur (Tabakalera, 4th floor). May 15th.
• In San Sebastian. Dose of Paradise, Sharon Fridman. Play. Victoria Eugenia Theater. May 15th.
• In San Sebastian. A whisper in the storm. Eighth studio album by La Oreja De Van Gogh. Kursaal Palace. May 15th.
• In Bilbao. What a pack of Basques. Monologue by Nerea Garmendia and Victor Amilibia. Campos Elíseos Theater. May 15th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Chamber cycle of the Teatro Principal: Alberto Itoiz (flute) + Marion Desjecques (harp). Jesús Guridi Conservatory of Music. May 16th.
• In San Sebastian. QuitamiedoS, Kulunka Theater. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From May 16th until 8th.
• In Bilbao. Cycle «BJC Arriagan»: Jorge Pardo Trío. Jazz and Flamenco without limits. Concert in collaboration between Teatro Arriaga - Bilbaína Jazz Club. May 18th.

International Museum Day. May 18th
Activities for several days. 

• In Basque Country. International Museum Day. Wide range of activities for several days. May 18th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Bosillo Opera: "Orfeo ed Euridice". Ortzai Dramatic Art Laboratory. From May 18th until 21st.
• In San Sebastian. Rafa In Memoriam. Tribute concert to the musician and singer Rafael Berrio for fifteen friends and colleagues. Victoria Eugenia Theater. May 19th and 20th.
• In Bilbao. Surf Film Festival. Largest multidisciplinary festival developed around surfing: cinema, photography, sports, lectures, training, commerce and live music. Inauguration on May 19th at the Euskalduna Palace. Rest of days at the Itsasmuseum. From May 19th until 23rd.
• and Lewis Durham. Rockabilly, punk, R&B, jazz, soul, blues, ska, country, rock 'n' roll and more. BBK room. May 21st.
• In Biarritz. Jean-François Zygel & André Manoukian Piano duel. Their tribulations cross Bach, Beethoven, Brel, Bill Evans, Mozart or even Duke Ellington. Gare du Midi Theater. May 21st.
• In Irun. Fifth edition of the Caravantur fair, with the exhibition, sale and rental of motorhomes *, camper vans, and caravan accessories. Ficoba Center. May 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
• In Bilbao. Joaquín Reyes: Celebrate the joke. Fine irony —and also fat—, “crazy” ideas and nihilistic tunes. Campos Elíseos Theater. From May 21st until 23rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. "Xabier Salaberria. An exhibition without architecture". Artium Center. From May 21st until October 17th.
• In Bilbao. "The Tree: Fragments of a Poetics of Fire". 9 dancers offer a powerful and vital expression of the love of nature on the brink of collapse. Carolyn Carlson Company. Arriaga Theater. May 22nd.
• In Bilbao. Concert by the London brothers Kitty, Daisy In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Andanzas y entremeses de Juan Rana. The Inquisition meets for a secret trial against the most famous comedian of the Golden Age. Principal Theater. May 22nd.
• In Bilbao. Kandinsky at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Paintings and works on paper and trace the aesthetic evolution of Kadinsky throughout his career. Today, the Guggenheim holds more than 150 pieces by Vasily Kandinsky. Until May 23th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Komedialdia – VG Humor Festival 2021. From May 25th until 30th.
• In Biarritz. Rock the Ballet X. Classical dance, jazz, hip-hop, taps, acrobatics and martial arts. The Bad Boys of the Dance. Gare du Midi Theater. May 27th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Killing is tiring. We only see the cop and the killer, but few people think of the gray, which maintains balance and keeps the other two latent and alive. Principal Theater. May 29th.
• In San Sebastian. The Orfeón sings: Carmina Burana (Carl Orff). I Cycle of classical concerts organized by the Orfeón Donostiarra. Kursaal Palace. May 30th.
• In Aránzazu (Gipuzkoa). VII European Congress of Rural Tourism (COETUR): "Rural tourism as an engine of development after the Covid-19 crisis". June 2nd and 3rd.
• In Irun (Gipuzkoa). Fair of the Basque Country of ecological products, bioconstruction, renewable energies and responsible consumption. FICOBA. June 4th, 5th and 6th.
• In San Sebastian. Matinée. Small format concerts. Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Miramon. Until June 12th.
• In Hernani. Leges Naturae. Discovering the influence of nature in the work of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Chillidaleku. Until June 10th.
• In Hernani. Tàpies in Zabalaga. Exhibition focused on the large-format sculptures of the Catalan artist. Chillida Leku Museum. From June 10th, 2021 to January 10th, 2022.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Big Week of the Pintxo of Álava. Competition between the pintxos (Basque tapas) that the catering establishments present in competition. Participating bars and restaurants. From June 18th to 27th.
• 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. Until July 4th.
• In Bilbao. Muntadas. The empty city. An audiovisual piece commissioned by the museum, in which the Catalan artist invites us to look at the city from a different point of view. Showing Bilbao, its current urban planning and its historical context, are the starting point for a broader investigation of public space and architecture. Until September 5th.
• In Bilbao. Zura eta Ura. Photo exhibition that invites to think about the loss of identity in the fishermen ports after the progressive substitution of wooden boats by boats made of synthetic materials. Maritime Museum. Until September 26th.

 In Basque Country. Itzulia Women.
Cycling race in the UCI Women's World Tour category.
From May 14th to 16th.

Regarding Basque sports:

• 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 2nd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. EDP Martín Fiz Marathon. Run of about 42 km, through the center and outskirts. May 10th. Pending programming.
• In Bilbao. Harlem Globetrotters. Tour 2021: No Limits World Tour. La Casilla Pavilion. May 10th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. I Euskadi Cycle Tourism Day - Basque Cycling Forum. Europe Conference Center. Francisco de Vitoria Auditorium. May 12th.
• In Basque Country. Itzulia Women. Cycling race in the UCI Women's World Tour category. From May 14th to 16th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Women's career inside the city. May 31st. Pending programming.

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!

You can also contact us or expand information through the new Aitor Delgado Basque Private Tours website that we launched in December 2019