Semana Grande de Bilbao (Aste Nagusia)

Aste Nagusia It is the main festival in Bilbao and a celebration designed to experience the city on the street. For nine days, Marijaia, the troupes and hundreds of free events transform the Arenal, the Old Town and numerous stages in the town.

Date and duration

The Big Week begins every year on Saturday following 15 August, the festival of the Assumption, and lasts for nine days, until the following Sunday. The rule sets the celebration, but the specific dates and times are confirmed in each edition.

View the Aste Nagusia 2026 programme, which will be held from 22 August to 30.

15 August is a state-wide public holiday; The remaining days of Aste Nagusia do not automatically acquire that work status due to the holiday.

El Arenal, Arriaga and the txosnas

The beginning takes place in front of the Arriaga Theater: crier and txupinera, accompanied by Marijaia and municipal representatives, welcome the party from their balcony. Arenal and Casco Viejo concentrate the txosnas of the comparsas, parades, music and participatory activities. The municipal programming is also distributed throughout Abandoibarra, squares, parks, the estuary, Bilborock and other spaces.

Origin of the modern party

The current Aste Nagusia was born in 1978. The City Council called a contest of ideas to renew the festivities and the chosen project promoted an open and participatory model in which the troupes play a decisive role. Since then, the Joint Festival Commission, formed by Bilbao City Council and Bilboko Konpartsak, organises and shapes each edition.

The modern festival does not eliminate previous Bilbao customs: it integrates music, giants, sports and popular expressions in a programme built around citizen participation.

Marijaia, pregón y txupin

Marijaia, a figure with raised arms created in 1978 by the artist Mari Puri Herrero, is the main symbol. The proclamation and the launch of the txupin officially open the nine days. The txupinera comes from a troupe and the crier or crier is a person loved or linked to Bilbao.

Since 1997 the party has had the official song "Badator Marijaia", with lyrics by Edorta Jimenez and music by Kepa Junkera. At the end of the Big Week, Marijaia's farewell symbolically closes the edition.

Main events and traditions

  • Proclamation and txupin from the Arriaga Theater, with the opening of the txosnas.
  • Comparsas, fanfares, bilbainadas, pilgrimages and festive atmosphere in Arenal and the Old Town.
  • Parade of giants and big heads, txistularis, bagpipers, bertsolaris and euskal dantzak.
  • Exhibitions of herri kirolak, pelota and trawler regattas in the estuary.
  • Concerts, theater and street arts, children's activities and festivals.
  • Fireworks and farewell to Marijaia to close the party.

Quién organiza y participa

The Joint Festival Commission brings together the City Council and Bilboko Konpartsak. The troupes install and attend to their txosnas, liven up the street and propose activities; Along with them, cultural and sports groups, artists, municipal services, merchants, hospitality, neighbourhoods and visitors participate.

A popular, urban and free festival

The programming combines large stages with small format activities and maintains a marked presence of Basque culture. The City Council points out that its more than 300 activities are free. Some services, attractions or proposals from entities may have their own conditions, so it is advisable to consult the official programme for each year.

Sources

Municipal festivals

Also check out the festivals of Bilbao.