Exploring Basque Culture: Festivals and Traditions Not to Miss

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Basque Country is home to many traditions across dancing, music, sports and even language. The proud people of this region still celebrate their traditions regularly, making it easy for you to witness or even get involved!

The traditions of this region are still celebrated by its proud people

Basque Dancing

Basque Country is home to many traditional dances that are still practiced regularly in villages and at festivals. The most famous Basque dance is the Aurresku. This elegant dance was historically performed as a way of honouring a prominent figure, but now is used to honour those at celebratory ceremonies such as weddings.

Other dances include the Fandango, a dance based on a waltz rhythm. There is also the Mutxiko dance, which can be witnessed on Sundays in most Basque villages. This dance is open to join, so if you feel like it, get moving with the locals on a Sunday!

Immerse yourself in Basque folk music, a vital part of the culture

Basque natives are described as ‘a people who dance at the foot of the Pyrenees’, so it’s no surprise there are several other traditional dances, such as Ezpata Dantza - three dances that incorporate swords and sticks. More traditional dances can be witnessed at the many festivals hosted across Basque country, which we’ll get into later!

Basque Music

Just like dancing, traditional music is ingrained in Basque culture. Basque Country is the birthplace of some great composers, such as Ravel, Guridi and Sarriegui, adding to the heritage the region holds. There are multiple types of Basque music worth noting.

There are Basque choirs that are internationally known and admired. These powerful performers can be witnessed at the many churches in Basque Country, at festivals, or at the Tolosa Choir Competition!

Feel the spirit of the Basque Country through the lively music of its traditional banda!

Basque folk music is a huge part of the culture, featuring marching bands and their own unique instruments. Basque folk music can be witnessed at festivals, and throughout many towns and villages on the weekend. Traditional instruments include the txistu, the alboka, the txalaparta and the trikitixa.

There is also the Bertsolaris, a form of improvised singing often performed by poets who follow a specific rhyming pattern discussing a certain subject. This form of music is still alive and well, and can be witnessed at the many Bertzolaris competitions, where poets and singers battle to have the best performance.

Basque Sports

Another aspect of Basque culture is its range of unique sporting events. These events include wood chopping, stone lifting, hole drilling, anvil lifting, and more. Many of these sports originate from farming and fishing, historical occupations in Basque Country.

Aizkolaritza: The art of traditional Basque wood chopping, showcasing strength and skill.

You can witness the different sports at local competitions and also at the many festivals held in Basque Country.

Holidays to Basque Country

Discover the Basque Country a region with rich culinary traditions, and vibrant cultural heritage.

Basque Country is home to many wonderful festivals that celebrate the rich culture of the region. Featuring dancing, music, outfits, food and more, there is always plenty of fun to be had at a Basque festival. Let’s dive into some of the best festivals that let you experience all of Basque culture.

Gigantes bring folklore to life in Spanish and Basque culture.

Aste Nagusia, The Semana Grande

On the first Saturday after the 15th August, the Semana Grande (Great Week) is celebrated in both Bilbao and San Sebastián.

This festival is a great opportunity to witness Basque culture in all its glory. There’s no shortage of entertainment, as across the festival there are fireworks, concerts, the parade of giants, traditional music and dancing, as well as competitions including stone throwing and wood chopping.

Semana Grande, celebrated in San Sebastian and Bilbao, is a week-long festival in August

The wide array of entertainment and fun is of course accompanied by Basque food and drink, making this the perfect way to dive in and experience true Basque culture.

Ocho de Mayos

On the 8th May each year, a week-long festival takes place in the picturesque city of Orduña.

Similar to the Semana Grande, this festival features a varied programme of events, making it a great festival for people of all ages to enjoy. Ocho de Mayos commemorates the Virgin of La Antigua, the patron saint of the city!

The traditions of this region are still regularly celebrated by its proud people

This traditional festival features sports competitions, livestock fairs, theatre shows, concerts, parades and more! This diverse, fun-filled festival located at the foot of Salvada Mountain Range is a brilliant celebration of Basque culture.

Fêtes de Bayonne

The largest festival in France, the Fêtes de Bayonne begins on the Wednesday before the first Sunday of August and lasts for five days.

Another festival that involves plenty of partying for days on end, this event sees attendees wear all white with a red scarf and belt.

Traditional music is at the heart of the Fêtes de Bayonne, defining its cultural essence

A giant King Leon tosses keys from the Town Hall to the crowds below to kick off the festival on the Wednesday evening. Going forward, each day has a theme until the grand finale on the last day.

Throughout the five days, festival-goers can enjoy parades, sports competitions, traditional Basque dancing and music, and more! There is even a bell pepper omelette world championship competition too.

Another Basque festival full of colour, culture and tradition, this is a fantastic way of witnessing all that Basque Country has to offer.

The Fêtes de Bayonne is one of the largest festivals in France, attracting thousands of people each year

Basque Country is a culturally rich region, packed full of traditions to experience. Whether you’re taking part in a traditional dance on a weekend, diving head first into one of the many festivals, or trying your hand at a wood chopping competition, there’s no shortage of fun to have in this part of the world.

To make your trip to Basque Country even better, make the journey a memorable one and enjoy one of our ferries to Spain. Let us help you get to the Basque Country and find the perfect place to stay. Your adventure starts here!