Euskadi This Week (July 11 -17): Top Events and Weekend Plans

This weekend, BBK Live once again takes over Kobetamendi, turning Bilbao into one of Europe’s key music hotspots. What began in 2006 as a pop-rock festival with a handful of international acts has grown into a must-attend event for thousands of people looking for live music, atmosphere, and a setting that’s anything but ordinary.

Now in its 18th edition, BBK Live has become one of the most important music festivals on the international scene. While its core sound has always revolved around pop-rock and electronic music, the festival’s spirit lies in its ability to evolve. In its previous edition, it welcomed more than 120,000 people from 75 countries, and over the years, its stages have hosted legendary artists and bands like Coldplay, Blondie, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Muse, The Black Crowes, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Police. In more recent times, names like Rosalía, Stromae, Nathy Peluso, Pet Shop Boys, Amaia, Arctic Monkeys, and Florence and The Machine have continued that legacy.

Over the years, the festival has expanded its reach—adding new spaces and blending iconic headliners with new and emerging voices. This year’s edition reflects that balance, with a lineup that includes global icons like Kylie Minogue, Pulp, and Nathy Peluso, alongside rising acts such as Raye, Judeline, and Cala Vento.

But beyond the music, BBK Live has become part of Bilbao’s summer identity. The city changes with the festival—you can feel it in the streets, on public transport, in local bars, and especially in the overall vibe. The music climbs the mountain, but the energy spreads everywhere.

This weekend, once again, BBK Live becomes that meeting point where local spirit and international sounds collide. Where you can watch a concert in the middle of a forest, discover your next favorite band, or dance under the open sky. And in a world packed with festivals, that still means something.