Traditions that repeat every day
| Time | Activity | Approximate area |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Txistulari morning parades | Various routes through the centre |
| 11:00 | Giants and Big Heads | Starting point and route vary by day |
| 12:00 | Municipal Band or bilbainadas | Arenal or the bandstand, depending on the programme |
| 13:00 | Bertsolaris | Santiago Plaza. On the 26th there is a lunch at 14:00 |
| 19:00 | Euskal dantzak | Plaza del Gas |
Routes and exact locations can change from day to day. Always check the daily listings.
Txikigune and family theatre
Txiki-Botxo runs from the 23rd to the 30th in Doña Casilda, morning and afternoon, with over 30 activities. The bandstand rounds off the family programme with theatre at 19:30. Check times, ages and accessibility in the full Txikigune guide.
Basque sport and pelota
Herri kirolak (Basque rural sports) are scheduled from the 26th to the 29th at midday. Pelota runs from the 23rd to the 29th, while the trainera regattas are part of Sunday the 23rd. Each discipline may have its own venue, access and timetable.
Giants, Big Heads and exhibition
The Giants and Big Heads parades are one of the defining sights of the mornings. The 2026 programme adds a dedicated exhibition alongside the daily routes. The parades can alter pedestrian flows, so check the detail for each date.
Street arts and theatre
Plaza de la Convivencia hosts midday and evening sessions with circus, clowning, acrobatics and contemporary creation. The city's theatre listings expand during the festival. Some performances are free and others ticketed, so they are not presented as a single free-entry programme.
Traditional and popular music
- Bilbainadas at 12:00 at the Doña Casilda bandstand.
- Classical music concerts at 20:30 in the Church of La Encarnación.
- Open-air dances at 20:00 and 23:00 in Plaza Circular.
- Dance sessions at 23:30 at the bandstand.
- Roots music at 23:30 at Muelle Evaristo Churruca.
- Txistulari parade on Sunday the 30th at 13:00.
Fireworks
There are eight displays at 22:30, from the 22nd to the 29th. The first seven are part of the competition and the last is an exhibition. The fireworks page lists the company for each night and where to watch from.