Events & Festivals

Every year, Bilbao offers a great selection of festivals and events appealing to both locals and visitors.

Here are some Bilbao's main annual events and festivals.

Holy Week - Semana Santa

Semana Santa is the biggest and most popular religious festival dating back around 500 years, held during the week of Easter, early April. The activities include slow parades and re-enactments of Christ's final days and bulls running.

Bilbao Fantastic Film Festival - FANT

Bilbao Fantastic Film Festival takes place early May, with many film screenings and related events.

Bilbao BBK Live Festival

The Bilbao BBK Live Festival is a rock and pop music festival, created in 2006 and that takes place in the summer in Bilbao. The event reunites national and international rock bands such My Chemical Romance and the Red Hot Chili Peppers who played in 2007.

Semana Grande - Aste Nagusia

Aste Nagusia is the Bilbao's main festival known as the “Big Week”, usually taking place on the Saturday of the 3rd week of August each year, lasting 9 days and attracting over 100,000 people. The program includes many activities organized throughout the city such as free open-air music concerts, bullfighting, firework displays and boat races and sporting events. This festival attracts large crowds and street atmosphere become very lively.

Lady of Begoña Festival

Lady of Begona Festival celebrates the Virgin of Begoña called Amatxu. On this day, locals go on a pilgrimage to the Basílica de Begoña, where the shrine of the Virgin can be found.

St Thomas Day

St Thomas Day is a traditional gastronomic feast/market taking place in Jardines del Arenal / Plaza Nueva mid-December. Traditional products from the region's rural areas, include fruit, vegetables, tasty cheeses, sausages, ciders and wines, are displayed on more than 300 stalls in a joyful atmosphere.
 
For more information about the main cultural events occurring in Bilbao, visit the official tourism website of Bilbao or pick up the Bilbao Guide, published every two months by Bilbao Turismo available at the city's tourist offices.

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