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When to Come to Tolosaldea
Throughout the year, various activities are held in Tolosaldea, providing an opportunity to discover the beauty of the region and the essence of Basque culture. Here we offer them month by month.
January
Three Kings' Parade
On January 5th, the eve of Three Kings’ Day, the arrival of the Three Wise Men is celebrated. The most notable parades are those in Villabona and, especially, Tolosa.
Cider Season
The cider season begins. Cider houses are a deeply rooted tradition in Tolosaldea, and you’ll find more than one. Discover them!
Tree Day in Tolosa
The stars of this first special fair of the year are trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, and organic vegetable plants.
In the Plaza del Triángulo, there are plant nurseries from all over the Basque Country. A beautiful day to visit Tolosa.
February
Tolosa Carnival
Although the date varies, carnivals are usually held in February. The Tolosa Carnival is the most popular in the Basque Country and lasts for six days (Thursday to Tuesday, costumes are worn from Sunday to Tuesday). The previous weekend is Caldereros Day.
Carnivals in Other Towns
Carnivals are also celebrated in other towns in the region, such as Berastegi, Lizartza (where they collect puskak), Abaltzisketa (whose tradition includes the txantxo dances), and Amezketa (where the talai dances are a tradition).
San Blas and Santa Águeda
On February 3rd, San Blas is celebrated in the Tolosa neighborhood of the same name, where they sell San Blas rosquillas (breadcrumbs).
Another traditional celebration is that of Santa Águeda: on February 5th, it’s common to see groups singing “bertsos,” dressed in traditional costumes and carrying sticks. They pray from house to house, beating the ground to awaken it from its winter slumber.
Negu Trail
In Berastegi, the Negu Trail mountain race is held, a beautiful winter race that has also been run in snow on more than one occasion.
In Tolosaldea and Goierri, you’ll find the Basque Country Trail Station, offering a network of trail routes throughout the year.
March
Events to Enjoy the Mountains
This month there are two events for mountaineers. On the one hand, there’s the moderate Aizkardi walk through Villabona, which crosses several mountains in the area. And on the other, there’s the Larraul-Hernio-Larraul mountain race.
If you love the mountains, there are many marked trails around the area to enjoy if you can’t make it at this time.
Local Shops' Fair
In mid-March, Tolosa celebrates the Braderie festival. On that day, shops bring their special offers to the streets.
Tolosa is a large open-air shopping center year-round.
April
Folk Dance Day
One of the pre-Holy Week celebrations is the Erromeria Eguna and Dantzari Txiki Eguna. The streets of Tolosa are filled with traditional Basque dances, with hundreds of participants.
Tolofolk
At the end of April, the Tolofolk folk music festival is also held in Tolosa, featuring artists from different cultures and backgrounds, creating an unbeatable atmosphere.
May
Opening of the Aralar Pastures
On May 1, a grand festival is held in Larraitz (Abaltzisketa) to mark the opening of the Aralar pastures. In addition to the transhumance of animals, a fair is held there, enlivened by music and bertsos, food stalls, and crafts. A similar festival is also held in Komizar (Villabona).
Do you want to discover Aralar? A landscape created by these animals and pastoral life.
Hiking and Running
Weeks later, at the same location, in Larraitz, the Txindoki Vertical Kilometer mountain race will take place. There will also be more mountain events: the Txirrita regulated walk brings together hundreds of people on the route that runs through the Aralar mountain range; and every four years, coinciding with the Olympic year, the 14 Hours of Aralar will be held.
If you want to train for these events or enjoy the mountains in another way, here are some routes.
Local meat fair
In Tolosa, meanwhile, the International Meeting of Local Meat and Grilling is held, which used to be the Chuleta Festival. Tastings, fresh meat roasts, and meals are included.
Another special fair is also held: the spring flower and plant fair. Museums also celebrate the White Night with special programs.
Musikherria
The month closes with the MusikHerria festival, a festival that brings together dozens of musical groups in the streets of Tolosa: brass bands, trikitixa, dulzaineros, txistularis, choirs…
June
T3T-T2T Mountain Race
In mid-June, the T3T mountain race takes place in Tolosa, which covers the three main peaks of the region.
In Tolosaldea, you’ll also find the Euskal Herria trail station. If you want to explore our landscape while enjoying this sport, it offers a wide network of trails.
San Juan Festival
The San Juan de Tolosa festivities are the biggest attraction in June, featuring the fire, the escopeteros (shotgun players), the bordondatza (a traditional dance), the parades of the giants and big-headed figures, and the Cider Tournament.
San Juan is also celebrated in Abaltzisketa and Belauntza.
San Pedro Festival
These aren’t the only patron saint festivals: San Pedro festivals are also celebrated in Asteasu and Leaburu-Txarama.
White Wine Festival
Another regular event in March is the Tolosa White Wine Festival, the Ardo Txuri Txoko. There you can taste various white wines and txakolis.
Txakoli is also produced in Tolosaldea, within the “Txakoli de Getaria” designation of origin.
Tolosandblues
After the San Juan de Tolosa festival, the Tolosandblues blues festival is held, with numerous concerts by local and international artists.
July
Ehunmilak
In terms of sport, the Ehunmilak (100-mile race) is held in July, one of the toughest mountain races in the Basque Country.
In Tolosaldea, the Euskal Herria Trail Station also offers an extensive network of trails.
Village Festivals
The local festive season begins in mid-July: there are festivals in Alegia (July 16), Albiztur (July 18), Villabona (July 25), and Altzo (July 31). Before the festivals, the Villabona Beer Fair is also held.
August
Patron Saint Festivals
August is the month of patron saint festivals. Larraul (August 3), Berastegi and Ikaztegieta (August 10); Aduna, Baliarrain, Orendain, Goiatz, Gaztelu, and Zizurkil (August 15); the San Bartolomé festivals in Ibarra, Amezketa, Larraul, and Bidania (August 24); And to close out the month, the Berrobi festival, on August 28th.
September
Hernio Mountain Pilgrimage
Every Sunday in September, a pilgrimage takes place on the Zelatun pass, at the foot of Mount Hernio, bringing together hundreds of people to the sound of the trikitixa.
Gastronomic Events
Ibarra celebrates one of its most important days, the Piparra de Ibarra Fair. Txakoli Day will be celebrated in Amasa.
The last Sunday of September sees the special fairs of Asteasu, Goiatz, and Alegia.
San Miguel Festival
During the first two weeks of the month, more patron saint festivals are also celebrated in some municipalities of Tolosaldea: Alkiza, Elduain, and Lizartza, for example, around September 8th. The last festival is held in Irura, close to the San Miguel festival, on September 29th.
October
Two Special Fairs
Gastronomy takes on special importance from autumn onwards. In Tolosa, two special fairs are held during this time: the Tolosa Goxua sweet fair, and Mikologika, a gastronomic festival dedicated to mushrooms with pintxos, competitions, and lectures.
Autumn Fairs
Many municipalities also hold cultural weeks between October, November, and December, with an autumn market being the highlight in almost all of them.
In October, these are held in Zizurkil, Anoeta, and Belauntza.
November
Feria Esneki
A fair that brings together the best cheeses and the most special dairy products from the Basque Country, giving visitors the opportunity to taste and buy them. Around 40 stalls are set up in total.
All Saints' Day. November 1
In the Church of San Bartolomé de Amezketa, all the argizaiolas are lit in memory of the deceased.
Gau beltza
Halloween night is also becoming more and more special. Many towns have begun to revive the ancient tradition of celebrating Gau Beltza (Black Night), which could be considered the precursor to the popular American holiday.
Tolosa Bean Festival
Another of Tolosa’s most important days is the Tolosa Bean Festival. In addition to the competition for the best bean, the Euskal Jaia (Basque Festival) is also held, as well as a large communal meal and a culinary competition. It is the festival of the black pearl.
Two Prestigious Cultural Events
Two internationally renowned cultural events take place in November: the Tolosa International Choral Competition, which brings together some of the best choirs in the world.
Titirijai, International Puppet Festival.
Berastegi Special Fair
A special fair featuring local products and several culinary competitions are held.
December
For the December long weekend...
During the December long weekend, special programs are always organized in many museums and towns in the region, with guided tours, workshops, and other shows.
Special Christmas Fair
The last special market of the year is also usually very special in Tolosa. The Tolosa Special Christmas Market is held on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, attracting thousands of people. You’ll find all kinds of products there.
Olentzero and Mari Domingi
To celebrate the end of the year, on December 24th, a parade will welcome Olentzero and Mari Domingi, the two famous Christmas figures of the Basque Country, linked to the winter solstice.
Altzo Special Fair
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