Euskadi This Week (May 16-22): Top Events and Weekend Plans

TOP EVENTS AND WEEKEND PLANS
May 16 - 22

Fish Market of Bermeo

Arrain Azoka: Bermeo’s Living Tribute to Its Fishing Heritage

Every year, the Arrain Azoka (Fish Market) transforms Bermeo’s bustling port into a vibrant celebration of Basque maritime culture. Far more than just a place to buy fresh seafood, this event is a testament to the town’s deep-rooted connection to the sea—a tradition passed down through generations of fishermen, or arrantzales, who have braved the Cantabrian waves for centuries.

The market’s origins lie in the daily rhythms of Bermeo’s fishing community, where the catch was traditionally sold straight off the boats by fishermen’s wives. Over time, this practical exchange evolved into a festival that honors both the labor and the legacy of those who work the sea. Today, visitors don’t just come for the freshest anchovies, bonito, or hake—they come to experience living history.

Stalls overflow with glistening fish, while local chefs demonstrate how to prepare classic dishes like marmitako (tuna stew) or kokotxas al pil-pil (hake cheeks in garlic sauce). Nearby, artisans showcase traditional skills like net-mending and boat-building, keeping crafts alive that once sustained entire families. The air fills with the sounds of bertsolari (Basque improv poetry) and the lively beats of trikitixa music, turning the market into a cultural crossroads where past and present meet.

But the Arrain Azoka isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s also a platform for discussions on sustainable fishing, workshops for kids, and innovations in aquaculture—proof that Bermeo’s fishing culture is adapting without losing its soul. Whether you’re tasting a just-grilled sardine, chatting with a retired fisherman, or watching a dance performance, you’re participating in a tradition that continues to shape this town.

For anyone wanting to understand the real Basque Country, the Arrain Azoka offers something rare: an unfiltered, flavorful, and deeply human connection to a way of life forged by the sea. Come hungry, leave inspired—and with a deeper appreciation for the hands that feed us.

Calendar of events
May 16- May 22

May 16 - Friday

VIII Bandera del vino – Lapuebla de Labarca

(May 16-18) XXXI Arrain Azoka – Bermeo

(May 15-18) Bertako Haragien Azoka – Tolosa

Maldita Nerea Concert – Basauri

Chayanne – Bilbao Arena

May 17 - Saturday

XXIX Spring Fair – Campezo

San Isidro Fair – Laguardia

XXIV Anchovy Day – Ondarroa

Agricultural and Livestock Fair – Zeanuri

San Isidro Fair – Antzuola

Plants and flowers fair – Arrasate/Mondragon

XI Plants and flowers fair – Hernani

May 18 - Sunday

XXVIII Food Fair – Derio

XXIX Exhibition and sale of food products – Mañaria

Livestock Fair – Mungia

XXXIV Zallako Ardo Egune – Zalla

Pea Day – Astigarraga

Museum Day 

XLII Sagardo Eguna – Usurbil

 

May 19 - Monday

Kultur Aniztasunares II Astea – Pamplona

Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa (BOS): Cámara 10 – Palacio Euskalduna

El circo de la vida – Vitoria-Gasteiz

May 20 - Tuesday

Silvia Pérez Cruz – Teatro Arriaga

MusikAuzo 2025 – Bilbao

ABAO Opera: Ottelo – Palacio Euskalduna

May 21 - Wednesday

Haurrak Parkean – Irun

Joserra Senperena Eta Maite Arrubarrena – Teatro Arriaga

Taller LUSH – Bilbao

May 22 - Thursday

Cimasub Tour 2025 – Amurrio

Surtido Sonoro Festival – Donostia

Dantza Sarean 2025 – Vitoria-Gasteiz

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