Bilbao basque FEST showcases and celebrates Basque culture in all its glory. Words, dances and customs can be seen in each show, capturing the essence of the people. Those who want to discover the history of Bilbao in an entertaining and original way will have the chance to join the dramatised tours led by some very special guides: the ‘Bilbao Hosts’. As is traditional, they will revisit the city’s history while exploring the main sites of the Old Town and El Arenal.
Humour also plays an important role at the festival. There is a fun-filled programme for all ages where laughter is guaranteed. This includes the Bilborock stand-up comedy performances with Gurutze Beitia, Mitxel Santamarina and Salah El Yaakoubi and boat trips along the estuary with Begotxu and Maitane.
Children will also be able to take part in entertaining activities designed to help them enjoy the festival to the fullest: theatre, circus and performances by Basque companies such as Txaloka, Doble Bill and Trotamundos.
Museums and Exhibitions
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
16, 17, 18 & 19 April (10:00 – 20:00)
Temporary exhibition: Antonio de Guezala (1889-1956)
Temporary exhibition: Sergio Prego. Thirteen to Centaurus
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO
https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/
Visiting hours: 10:00-20:00
Tarsila do Amaral. Brazilian modernist painting (21 February – 1 June, 2025) Galleries: 202 and 203
Masterpieces on Paper from Budapest (28 February – 25 May, 2025) Galleries: 205, 206, 207, 209
AZKUNZA ZENTROA
https://www.azkunazentroa.eus/es/actividad/visita-azkuna-zentroa/
Visiting hours (09:00 – 21:00)
The Bilbao Society and Contemporary Culture Centre, a place to experience culture as a practice, as a process and as a space for experiences. Exhibition hall.
Temporary exhibition: IXONE SÁDABA. “1:1 SCALE”
ATHLETIC CLUB MUSEUM
https://sanmames.athletic-club.eus/museo/
16–19 April (10:00 – 20:00)
17 April opening hours altered due to possible UEFA match
A unique museum that shares the philosophy and history of this unique team in the world.
Temporary exhibition: Women at Athletic Club: From the shadow to the light.
ITSASMUSEUM
Visiting hours (11:00 – 19:00)
Temporary exhibition: Robinson: 10 survival stories
Temporary exhibition: 10 years of art on port containers. Collective exhibition featuring the 10 winning works from the Port Container Art Competition organised by Itsasmuseum, in collaboration with UPV/EHU and Aurtenetxea Containers.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
https://www.bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus/detalleContenido.asp?t=1&id=68
16 – 19 April (10:00 – 14:00/16:00 – 19:30)
The Arkeologia Museoa is the centre with the mission of managing the archaeological findings in Biscay.
Its permanent exhibition takes us from the start of human life in our territory, over 100,000 years ago, to periods in history.
EUSKARAREN ETXEA
https://euskararenetxea.eus/es/
19 April (10:00 – 14:00/16:00 – 19:00)
16, 17, 18 April (08:00 – 20:00)
Basque interpretation centre.
MUSEUM OF SACRED ART
Closed on Mondays
16 & 19 April (10:30 – 13:30/16:00 – 19:00)
17 & 18 April (10:30 – 13:00)
Representative pieces of Basque sacred art from the 12th to the 21st centuries.
Room REKALDE
https://www.salarekalde.bizkaia.net/
17 & 18 April (11:00 – 15:00)
19 April (11:00-15:00, 16:30-20:00)
A place where you can explore the understanding, reception and dissemination of the different contemporary artistic practices.
“Juan Carlos Eguileor” Exhibition
OUTDOOR URBAN ART: “MURALS AND BLINDS”
A route where you can discover various street art murals in Bilbao La Vieja, one of the oldest and most distinctive neighbourhoods in the city. Along a marked route, you can admire various works by local and international artists that decorate facades, walls and urban spaces. This experience combines art, history and the unique atmosphere of this up-and-coming area.
PERFORMING ARTS
PABELLÓN 6
A leading multidisciplinary venue in the world of the performing arts. 12th Short Play Days (Every weekend you can see 4 different plays, some in Spanish and others in Basque).
Enjoy Basque culture with all five senses at Bilbao basque FEST
Celebrate the enormous cultural wealth of the Basque Country this Easter at Bilbao basque FEST! From 16th to 19th April, the city offers many activities, most of them free, with something for everyone: concerts, theatre performances, cinema, stand-up comedy, traditional dances, Basque traditional sports (herri kirolak), and more.
Download the program