Festivals in Bilbao
Discover the main festivals, celebrations and traditions of Bilbao, municipality of Vizcaya, in Basque Country.
Aste Nagusia and festive traditions of Bilbao
La Aste Nagusia It begins with the proclamation and the txupin from the balcony of the Arriaga Theater. Marijaia, created in 1978, is its symbol; troupes and txosnas, giants and big heads, bilbainadas, street theater, rural sports and fireworks are part of its traditions. The Joint Festival Commission—City Hall and Bilboko Konpartsak—organises the cycle, in which the town crier, txupinera, troupes, artists, associations and the public participate.
The date of the edition of 2026 está fijada from 22 August to 30, nine days long. The official programme announces more than 300 free municipal activities of music, theater, folklore, fireworks and children's activities. The usual places are concentrated in the Arenal, the plaza and the Arriaga Theater, the Casco Viejo, Abandoibarra, the Doña Casilda park and other stages throughout the city.
Outside of Semana Grande, the fair Santo Tomás, on 21 December, brings together baserritarras, local product stalls, music and popular atmosphere mainly in Arenal and Plaza Nueva. It is a traditional appointment distinct from the annual Aste Nagusia programme and does not in itself determine a non-working day.
Los local public holidays in Bilbao in 2026 son el 31 July, Saint Ignatius, and the 28 August, Friday of Big Week. The second falls within Aste Nagusia, but the other eight days of the festival do not therefore acquire a festive work character. Sources: Aste Nagusia 2026 official programme of the Bilbao City Council y municipal calendar of non-working days of 2026.
Detailed information on individual celebrations: