The best traditional autumn fiestas and fairs in Bilbao and Bizkaia

Much more than October Mondays in Gernika and Santo Tomás in Bilbao

Traditional Monday markets in Gernika-Lumo

The traditional Monday markets in Gernika-Lumo are a gastronomic and leisure reference throughout the year, not only in the region of Busturialdea, but also in the whole of Bizkaia.

But the Mondays in October, and especially the last one, take on an even greater dimension. Music, competitions of all kinds and spectacular games of cesta punta in jai alai turn the market into a great festival.

This year’s programme begins on 1 and 2 October with the Pyrenean Cattle Championship of the Basque Country, with an animal show and a fair of agricultural and livestock equipment and products.

Beans Day in Gernika

The fun never ends in Gernika-Lumo on the last Monday of October. The first Saturday in November is the Beans Day in Gernika, accompanied by stew tastings and competitions in cutting wood, dragging stones, lifting anvils, etc.

Feria de San Martín in Bilbao

A month and a half before, on 11 November, this great celebration is preceded by the Feria de San Martín, in the Jardines de Albia area.

Snail Gernika’s Festival

On 18 December, the traditional Snail Festival is held, with demonstrations and a gastronomic competition, as well as a market of snails and dried peppers.

Take the Euskotren to Gernika. You can take the train from the centre of Bilbao and it will drop you off in the centre of Villa Foral.

SANTO TOMÁS IN BILBAO

On the 21st of December, Bilbao is transformed into a huge festival that lasts for 24 hours. The Arenal and Casco Viejo are filled with stalls selling talo (traditional corn pancakes), txakoli, cider and roast chorizo.

Local producers fill the Arenal and Plaza Nueva with more than 300 stalls selling capons and other farm animals, doughnuts, cheese, homemade bread, vegetables, beans, honey, wine, chestnuts and winter fruits. Bands of trikitilaris (accordion players), otxotes (a cappella singers), txistularis and bagpipers perform.

Christmas crafts fair in Bilbao

Also worth a visit is GABONART, the Christmas crafts fair, which is held in Bilbao’s Muelle del Arenal between 15 December and 5 January.