What to do in the Basque Country Events - Agenda August 2021

TRADITIONS, ART, MUSIC, EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS BASQUE AGENDA. AUGUST 2021.

A list of best events for the traveler in August 2021 in the Basque Country in Spain & France, Rioja & Cantabria selected by Aitor Delgado Tours. Cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian, Biarritz, Rioja, Bayonne, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Guernica…

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

Regarding arts, congress and exhibits in Basque Country:

• 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 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. "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 29th until August 29th.

Bilbao and the Painting. Guggenheim Museum

• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Expo: Basque artistic and cultural practices from 1977 to 2002. Artium Center. From February 8th to December.
• 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 31st until November 1st.
• 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. 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 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.

Exhibition “Alaïa & Balenciaga. Sculptors of the form”.
Cristobal Balenciaga Museum, Guetaria.

• In Bilbao. Eszena Kalera. 27 Basque art companies on the street circuit. From May 5th to September 26th.
• In Bilbao. The roaring 20s. 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. Exhibition "Ibarrola in the estuary, water, iron, fire and air". Exhibition by the Basque Agustín Ibarrola (Basauri, 1930) with 17 large-format oil paintings and 20 drawings on maritime and industrial themes of the Bilbao Estuary. From May 11th until January 31st., 2022.
• In Bilbao. Exhibition "All concerts, every night, all empty" by the artist Ana Laura Aláez. Azkuna Center. From May 20th to September 26th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. An exhibition without architecture, by Xabier Salaberria. Photography, drawing and installation are the media used by the artist. Artium Museum. From May 21st to October 3rd.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. The relics of Martioda. A restored treasure. Museum of Fine Arts of Álava. From May 28th until January 16th, 2022.
• In Biarritz. 5th edition, Colorama Street Art Festival. Offers the public to discover the former Hôtel Bellevue: dedicated to rehabilitation, 28 national artists who have transformed the space by sublimating it thanks to their talent and a guideline, the color blue. From May 29th until August 28th.
• In San Sebastian. Exhibition: Hondalea (Sea Abyss). Inspired by the remarkable geology of the Basque coast, Cristina Iglesias has transformed the interior of the Casa del Faro on the island of Santa Clara, restoring it and turning it into a breathtaking sculptural environment. From June 3rd to September 26th.

Exhibition: Hondalea (Sea Abyss).
Santa Clara Island, San Sebastian.

• In Bilbao. Exhibition "Luis Paret in Bilbao. Sacred and profane art". Articulated in two locations - the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Sacred Art, both in Bilbao. From June 9th until September 5th.
• In Hernani. Tàpies in Zabalaga. Exhibition focused on the large-format sculptures of the Catalan artist. Chillida Leku Museum. Free guided tour from June 12th to September 30th. From June 10th, 2021 to January 10th, 2022.
• In Bilbao. The line of wit. Selection of works from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao's Own Collection whose common features are humor, wit and experimentation. From June 11th until January 16th.
• In San Sebastian. Exhibition: "The longest trip. The first round the world". In commemoration of the first circumnavigation of the earth by Magellan and Elcano. San Telmo Museum. From June 26th to October 24th.
• In Bayonne. Concerts in front of the terraces and cafes of the city. From July 1st to September 18th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz, Ibarra, Moreda de Álava, Salvatierra, Villanueva de Álava. XXXV Festival of the Organ of Álava. Several churches. From July 8th to August 6th.
• In San Sebastian. 82nd Donostia Musical Fortnight. It is the longest standing classical music festival in Spain and one of the most time-honored in Europe (Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg, Zukan Trio, Seldom Sene, Basque Country Orchestre, Grogory Sokolov, Spain National Orchestre…). Kursaal Auditorium. From August 1st until 29th.
• In Biarritz. XII Piano Festival. Thomas Valverde, Alexandre Kantorow, Vadym Kholodenko, Judith Jauregui, Hania Rani, Kyle Eastwood,…The Bellevue. From August 1st to 10th.
• In Anglet. Cinema on the beach. Projection of a movie on a large screen. Chambre d'Amour. August 2th, 9th, 16th and 23rd.

Cinema on the beach. In Anglet

• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Theater: La Coartada, by Christy Hall. Principal Theater. From August 3rd and 4th.
• In San Sebastian. 82nd Donostia Musical Fortnight. Early music cycle: Anacronía Ensemble, Judith Jauregui, Seldom Sene, Forma Antiqva, Hilko Dumno, Capella Mariana, Stephen Hough, Seiskilos Quartet... San Telmo Museum. From August 3rd until 26th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Theater: All killers. Actors: Carlos Sobera and Neus Asensi. Principal Theater. From August 4th to 6th.
• In Biarritz. Malandain Ballet Biarritz: La Pastorale. Music by Beethoven. Gare du Midi Theater. August 5th and 6th.
• In Hernani. Outdoor movie nights. Programming of 4 recently released films from European independent cinema that deal with current affairs. Chillida-Leku Museum. August 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Musical comedy: A night with her. Actress: Loles León. Principal Theater. August 7th and 8th.
• In Anglet. 8th Biennial of Contemporary Art. The Anglet Biennale of Contemporary Art has found its place nationwide in France with the presence of major artists who share their artistic creations with the public. Chambre d'Amour beach. From August 7th until October 31st.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz and several towns in Álava. Classical Music Cycle, in collaboration with the San Sebastián Musical Fortnight. From August 8th to 27th.
• In Pozalagua. Music festival. Outside amphitheater of the Pozalagua Caves. The concerts will claim the best tradition of rock and classical music with the performance of Desira, Remember Queen and the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. August 9th and 10^th. Cancelled.
• In Biarritz. Oldarra - Men's choir from the Basque Country. Oldarra (meaning moose in Basque) is composed of forty amateur singers. He interprets, a capella, both religious and secular polyphonic works. Originally exclusively Basque, the repertoire has expanded, incorporating works from around the world. Church of St. Eugenie. August 9th and 23rd.

Oldarra - Men's choir from the Basque Country.
In Biarritz

• In San Sebastian. Live concerts in the open air. Musical evenings by bands and soloists. Kutxa Kultur Musika Program. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. August 13th, 20th and 27th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. XIV International Music Festival / Course. It will have teachers from all over Spain and the most prominent groups in the Basque Country. From August 14th to 22nd.
• In Rioja Alavesa. Festival Esféfica 2021. Summer cultural festival in Rioja, in the province of Álava. From August 19th to 22nd.
• In Bilbao. Theater: The Room of Mary. Actress: Concha Velasco. Arriaga Theater. From August 19th to 22nd.
• In Bilbao. "Escape Room" Comedy. Two couples of lifelong friends meet to go to an escape room in the Lavapiés neighborhood. Euskalduna Palace. From August 20th to 25th.
• In Anglet. Chambre d'Amour night. Concerts and street artists. Fireworks. Chambre d'Amour beach. August 21st.
• In Bilbao. Theater: All killers. Actors: Carlos Sobera and Neus Asensi. Campos Eliseos Theater. From August 21st to 26th.
• In Hernani. Musical Fortnight - Quartet Gerhard. It is considered one of the chamber groups with the most projection in the country. Chillida-Leku Museum. August 22nd.
• In Saint Jean de Luz and Ciboure. Ravel Festival 2021. From August 22nd to September 10th.
• In Bilbao. Theater: Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller. Actor: Imanol Arias. Arriaga Theater. From August 25th to 29th.
• In Bilbao. "The Grönholm method". Play premiered 15 years ago and continues to be successful. Euskalduna Palace. From August 26th to September 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. FesTVal - Spanish Television Festival. Festival dedicated exclusively to television in all its formats: contests, magazines, series, cultural, educational and social outreach programs, news programs, children's, youth and adult entertainment... From August 31st until September 5th.

 

Best Basques traditions and festivities in Basque Country:

• In Antzuola / Aretxabaleta / Arrasate / Mondragón / Azkoitia / Azpeitia / Bergara / Eskoriatza / Ezkio-Itsaso / Ezkio-Itsaso / Legazpi / Leintz Gatzaga / Urretxu / Zumarraga. IX edition "The hidden treasures of the Ignatian Land". Cultural activities and visits to the heritage of the regions where Saint Ignacius Loyola lived. From June 12th to December 31st.
• In Bayonne. Festivals of Bayonne. Basque French version of the San Fermin Festivals, with bullfighting, running of the bulls and much more. From July 28^th until August 2nd. Cancelled.
• In Azpeitia, Biscay & Gipuzkoa. St Ignatius Loyola Festival. In Azpeitia local music, food, drink and festivals. From July 30th to August 2nd.
• In Anglet. Festival des Chineurs. Antiques market. Bargain Seeker Festival. Esplanade of Quintaou. During the day. August 3rd and 4th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. La Blanca city Festivals. The most popular festival in the Basque Capital. Celedon will come down from San Miguel Church to symbolize the start of these festivals. From August 4th to 9th.
• In Vitoria-Gasteiz. Fair of the Blanca. Exhibition and sale of crafts and food products. Loma General Place. From August 5th until 8th. Cancelled.
• In Bayonne. Party Terraces. Concert in front of the terraces and cafes of the city. Various locations. August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.

In Bayonne. Party Terraces. 

• In Anglet. Outdoor night market. Chambre d'Amour. August 6^th, 13^th and 20^th.
• In Iruña de Oca. XVI Moon Party. San Lorenzo's Day. Night walk where they will hear legends and stories. Botanical Garden of Santa Catalina. August 10th.
• In San Sebastian. International Fireworks Competition. The Concha Bay. This is one of the biggest events during Big Week. Firework experts from around the world will compete each night to see who can offer the most spectacular show. From August 10th until 17th. Cancelled.
• In Bayonne. Recorte show. Bullfighting show without killing. Bullring. August 11th. Cancelled.
• In Bayonne. Corrida Goyesque. 11am: Novillada without picador. 18h: Corrida goyesque. Bullring. August 14th. Cancelled.
• In Anglet. Sound, light and fireworks show. Free show (in bad weather, the show will be held the next day, at the same time). Marinella beach. August 14th.
• In Llodio, Amurrio, Moreda de Álava, Nanclares de Oca, Elvillar,  Asparrena, Bilbao, Portugalete, Guernika, Ondarroa, Gorliz, Mallabia, San Sebastian, Deba, Gabiria, Zarautz,Aduna, Elgoivar, … Festivals in honor to Our Lady of the Assumption (August 15th) and San Roque (August 16th). From August 14^th until 18^th.
• In San Sebastian. Semana Grande (Big week of San Sebastian). Popular party with famous fireworks in Concha beach and lots of visitors. From August, 14th to 21st.
• In Bayonne. Season 2021 run. Bullfights of Bayonne. First bullfighting place in France. Bullring. August 14th, 30th and 31st. And September 1st. Cancelled.
• In Bilbao. Semana Grande (Big week of Bilbao). One of the most popular parties in the Basque Country. From August 18th to 26th. Cancelled.
• In Biarritz. Antique Fair. 40 exhibitors around 3 Universes. Vintage: Objects, clothing, photos... Le Bellevue. From August 20th until 23rd.
• In Llodio. Black pudding day. Big day of the town festivities. The tradition of eating black pudding on this day dates back to 400 years ago, when the steers that were eaten on Sunday at the Guild food were sacrificed. August 21st.

In Llodio. Black pudding day.

• In Llodio. "Baserritar Eguna". Farmers' Day. Festivities of San Roke. Exhibition and sale of farm products with tasting of txakoli and cider as well as meat pintxos. Dulzaineros, trikitilaris and txistularis. Rural sport, and shepherd dog contest. Plaza de Lamuza. August 28th.
• In Bayonne. Atlantic Feria. Novillada without picadors and corrida. Bullfighting atmosphere, eating places, flamenco and Sevillian dancer’s concerts. Bullring. From August 30^th until September 1^st. Cancelled.
• In San Sebastian. Commemoration of August 31st. The people of San Sebastian remember the fire that devastated the city in 1813, during the War of Independence. Multitude of activities for all types of public. August 31st.
• 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.

Regarding Basques and others sport:

• In San Sebastian. Horse races. Racecourse. Different dates from June to September 5th.
• In Biarritz. Summer table tennis tournaments. Les Goélands de Biarritz organize summer tournaments open to licensed players and the leisure public, adults and children. Dagorette room. Every Friday in July and August (except Friday August 13th).
• In Socoa. Pala tournament. Sport competition. From July 1st until August 21st.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. International Professional Master of Cesta Punta. Fronton Jai Alai. From July 1st until August 26th.
• In Hernani. Yoga between sculptures & Brunch. In case of rain the yoga session will be held in the Pilar Room of the museum. Chillida-Leku Museum. Every Saturday from July 3rd until August 29th.
• In Biarritz. Basque Ball at Cesta Punta - Golden Glove. Fronton Euskal Jaï Aguilera. From July 7th until August 30th.
• In Getxo. Circuit of Getxo cycling. Memorial Ricardo Otxoa. July 31^st. New probable date: August 2^nd.
• In Biarritz. Basque pelota with leather paleta (very spectacular). Plaza Berri. August 3rd, 10tt, 17th and 24th.
• In Saint Jean de Luz. Traditionnels Basques Sports. Municipal Fronton. From August 3rd to 31st.
• In Biarritz. Basque pelota in Grand Chistera. Trophy of the City of Biarritz. Mazon Park. August 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.
• In Anglet. Open beach Volley. Tournaments, demonstrations and initiations of Beach volleyball. Sables d'Or Beach. Day and night. August 6th, 7th and 8th.
• In Anglet. Pro Anglet. Professional surfing competition QS 1,500. From August 24th until 29th.
• In Anglet. Surf at night. Professional surf night competition. Sables d'Or Beach. Day and night. August 27^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.

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

Enjoy the Basque Country!