Carnival 2025 in Bilbao and Bizkaia

Festive costumes and celebrations do not fear the cold in Bizkaia. In 2025, carnival will take to the streets of the territory.

Carnival in Bilbao 2025

In Bilbao, the festivities begin with the trial of Farolín and Zarambolas in Plaza Nueva, characters who represent the popular men and women of Bilbao.

Afterwards, concerts, parades and competitions take over the streets until the 4th, with the burning of the sardine in the estuary.

The towns of Markina-Xemein and Mundaka, among others, preserve traditional carnivals.

Carnival in Markina-Xemein 2025 (Bizkaia)

Markina revives the ‘Hartzaren Desfilea’ (Parade of the Bear), whose main protagonist is a fictional plant-eating creature that walks through the streets chained to its owner, dancing the ‘Zagi Dantza’ (Dance of Odre).

Carnival in Mundaka 2025 (Bizkaia)

In Mundaka, a world-famous surfing town in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, carnival is celebrated by men, known as ‘atorrak’, and women, ‘lamiak’.

With their faces painted and dressed in strange costumes, they play guitars, bandurrias, accordions and other instruments, creating a unique festive atmosphere.