As July wraps up and we cross into August, the summer energy shifts into high gear. August in Euskal Herria isn’t just another month on the calendar—it is festibalen garaia (festival season) at its absolute peak.

As July gives way to August, the Basque summer reaches its stride. This week bridges spiritual traditions, major arena pop shows, daytime park festivals, and the grand opening of one of Europe’s oldest classical music traditions—all leading into the region’s iconic month-long festival circuit.

Here are the essential highlights to mark on your calendar for July 31 – August 06.

What to look forward to in August:

• Virgen Blanca (Vitoria-Gasteiz): Early August kicks off with Celedón descending over the packed Plaza de la Virgen Blanca.

• Aste Nagusia / Semana Grande (San Sebastián & Bilbao): The crown jewel of August. Nine straight days of nighttime firework competitions, txosnas (festival tents), traditional giant puppet parades (gigantes y cabezudos), live concerts on every corner, and Marijaia leading the celebration in Bilbao.

Grab an iced txakoli or a cold zurito, soak in the lingering late afternoon light along the coast, and get ready—because August in the Basque Country is an unforgettable experience.

There is summer, and then there is summer in the Basque Country.

While much of Southern Europe sizzles under extreme heat, Euskal Herria enjoys a milder, coastal climate where lush green hills meet the roaring Atlantic. It’s a season defined by long daylight hours, vibrant street life, ocean swells, and an electric atmosphere that stretches from the Bay of Biscay to the foothills of the Pyrenees.

If you’re planning a getaway to Euskal Herria this season, here is what makes a Basque summer so unique—and how to experience it like a local.

If there’s one week that captures the electric energy of a Basque summer, this is it. From world-class music festivals on the coast to deep-rooted local faias (festivities) and traditional sports, Euskal Herria is buzzing from July 24 to 30.

Whether you’re looking for coastal rhythm, traditional celebrations, or top-tier live music, here are the highlights you shouldn’t miss this week.

Weekend Highlights: Jazz, Blues, and Coastal Celebrations (July 24–26)

The Blues Take Over the Villa: Bilbao Blues Festival

The star of the weekend is undoubtedly the Bilbao Blues Festival (July 24–26). Bilbao transforms into an open-air arena for soulful grooves, international blues legends, and electric atmospheres along the Arenal. It’s free, vibrant, and the absolute place to be if you’re in the city this weekend.

From the moment the July sun begins to warm the coastal towns, the region transforms into a massive, open-air celebration. One week you might find yourself on the sandy shores of San Sebastián listening to world-class jazz, and the next, you’ll be squeezed into a crowded plaza in a fishing village, holding a glass of crisp Txakoli wine while the smell of fresh, charcoal-grilled sardines fills the air.

Whether you are drawn here by the legendary music festivals, the deeply rooted local fiestas, or just the promise of world-class food, summer in the Basque Country is all about letting go of your itinerary and simply following the rhythm of the streets.

Here is your ultimate guide to the big stages, the local secrets, and the unforgettable sounds of a Basque summer.

The Big Festivals

• San Sebastián Jazz Festival / Jazzaldia (July 22–26): As mid-summer hits, the coastal jewel of San Sebastián becomes the European epicentre of jazz. From beachside stages at Playa de la Zurriola to historic plazas, the entire city fills with incredible music, late-night jam sessions, and a mix of world-class headliners and free open-air shows.
• Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival (July 13–18): As the weekend adrenaline cools down, the capital city of Álava hits a sophisticated groove. Starting Monday, world-class jazz melodies, street brass bands, and late-night jam sessions will fill the city’s medieval streets.

The Local Vibe: «Los Cármenes» Town Festivities

If you want to experience how locals actually celebrate summer, head to the coastal and riverside towns for the Fiestas de El Carmen starting this weekend. Expect incredible street food, txosnas (festive bars), and free open-air concerts.

• Santurtzi: The ultimate seafaring festival. Don’t miss the famous Sardinada (grilling fresh sardines right on the streets by the port) and the huge free concerts by the harbor.
• Barakaldo: The city transforms with vibrant street theater, family activities, and local rock bands playing late into the night in the main plazas.

Summer in the Basque Country is all about joining the rhythm of the streets. Whether you are holding a drink in a crowded square in Santurtzi or watching the sunset over Bilbao to an indie soundtrack, just follow the music!

If you happen to be in the Basque Country this week, clear your schedule. This week brings a specific kind of magic here. While Pamplona’s legendary San Fermín festivals are wrapping up (ending July 14th), the musical torch is already being passed across the region.

From massive mountain-side rock festivals to coastal traditional fiestas and world-class jazz, music is quite literally in the air. Here are the absolute best plans  that we recommend you cannot miss:

The Big Festivals

• Bilbao BBK Live (July 9–12): The mountains are calling! Nestled on the green slopes of Mount Kobetamendi, this is one of Europe’s most unique festival settings. You can dance surrounded by nature while looking down at the entire city skyline.

 Don’t miss the free daytime concerts (Bereziak) down in Bilbao’s city center.

• Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival (July 13–18): As the weekend adrenaline cools down, the capital city of Álava hits a sophisticated groove. Starting Monday, world-class jazz melodies, street brass bands, and late-night jam sessions will fill the city’s medieval streets.

The Local Vibe: «Los Cármenes» Town Festivities

If you want to experience how locals actually celebrate summer, head to the coastal and riverside towns for the Fiestas de El Carmen starting this weekend. Expect incredible street food, txosnas (festive bars), and free open-air concerts.

• Santurtzi: The ultimate seafaring festival. Don’t miss the famous Sardinada (grilling fresh sardines right on the streets by the port) and the huge free concerts by the harbor.
• Barakaldo: The city transforms with vibrant street theater, family activities, and local rock bands playing late into the night in the main plazas.

Summer in the Basque Country is all about joining the rhythm of the streets. Whether you are holding a drink in a crowded square in Santurtzi or watching the sunset over Bilbao to an indie soundtrack, just follow the music!

With the arrival of summer, life moves outdoors almost by instinct. Terraces fill up, calendars overflow with plans under the sun, and indoor spaces empty out thanks to the beautiful weather. It is that time of year when we all eagerly look forward to disconnecting, raising a glass in the open air, and, of course, seeking out that perfect bite to enjoy under the summer sky.

But summer in our geography is not just measured in beach days and warm nights; it is measured in celebrations. Popular festivals and music fests are just around the corner, ready to awaken our senses and remind us of the pleasure of sharing moments around a table—or right on the street. And if there is one date that kicks off this season with a bang, it is the one that paints the north of the country in red and white. Between the thunder of the chupinazo (the opening rocket), the thrill of the running of the bulls, and the bustling energy of the peñas (social clubs).

Every year, from July 6th to the 14th, Pamplona becomes the epicenter of the world. What began in the Middle Ages as a mix of commercial fairs, secular festivals, and religious events honoring Saint Fermin is today one of the most international celebrations on the planet. During these nine days, the city completely transforms under a non-negotiable dress code: white and red. Without a doubt, San Fermín is, at its core, a celebration of the streets, friendship, and good food. It is the ultimate meeting point where the peñas set the rhythm, the music never stops, and gastronomy becomes the true engine that recharges the energy of locals and visitors alike.

To truly experience San Fermín, one must look beyond the adrenaline. From the hearty early-morning estofado de toro (bull stew) that revives the runners, to the sweet, crispy churros shared after a long night of dancing, the festival is a sensory feast. Ultimately, the true flavor of these nine days is not found in a single dish, but in the joy of eating together on the crowded streets. It is a taste of tradition, community, and an unyielding passion for life—a delicious reminder that in Pamplona, the best memories are always made around a shared table.

While the daytime sun might be a bit too intense for long walks right now, it makes the beaches along our coast look more inviting than ever. More importantly, it gives us the absolute perfect excuse to lean into the local lifestyle: seeking out the coolest shade, pacing ourselves, and extending our plans deep into the refreshing evening hours.

This upcoming week is absolutely bursting with outdoor energy! We are officially sliding into that magical time of year where our calendar is dominated by local town festivities (herriko jaiak). Experiencing these traditional celebrations firsthand—with the streets alive with color, traditional dances, and families gathering outdoors—is a quintessential Basque experience you simply can’t miss.

But if there is one thing that pairs perfectly with these hot summer nights, it’s live music. This week kicks off the legendary Getxo Jazz Festival, the perfect excuse to head down to the coast. Catch the incredible free, open-air concerts, the seaside breeze and smooth rhythms. Pack your sunglasses, stay hydrated, and get ready to live the ultimate outdoor week!

There is nothing quite like a gentle evening breeze, a crisp, ice-cold glass of txakoli, and a refreshing pintxo to beat the heat. Drink plenty of water, find a nice terrace under the shade, and let’s enjoy these tropical Basque nights!