SANTO TOMÁS
Every self-respected inhabitant of Bilbao has two dates marked on his or her calendar: Santo Tomás and Aste Nagusia. Every 21st of December, same as in other Basque cities like Donostia, Bilbao celebrates Santo Tomás, a really important celebration in Basque country. Moreover, Santo Tomás is known for its market, where the artisans sell their products.
It is a non-written tradition to wear the traditional Basque dressing during Santo Tomás, to assist the market with your kuadrilla ( a group of best friends), eat talo with txorizo (sausage) and drink txakoli. It usually rains during the Santo Tomás Festivity, but still, thousands of people from different towns and cities come to Bilbao to celebrate this day.
Santo Tomás is a very special day because people meet with old friends, that´s why the good atmosphere reigns. In contrary to other festivities, Santo Tomás is mainly celebrated during the day. But in the afternoon, there are also musicians and Dj´s on the main stage to make the party pleasant.
ASTE NAGUSIA
Aste Nagusia, also known as la semana grande de Bilbao, is the most important festivity of Bilbao. Every year Mari Jaia: an emblematic character that symbolizes the festive spirit of Bilbao, goes up to the Arriaga Theatre to start the festivity with the Txupinazo. El Txupinazo is the ceremony that announces the start of ten days of party in the city.If you are thinking about going to the Txupinazo, you should know that it is usual to throw flour and eggs to each other.
During those 10 days, Bilbao is filled with party and joy. Every night, the fireworks cover the sky with colors and forms and reflect in the estuary, creating a magical atmosphere. After the traditional firework show, music concerts can be found at different points of the city. Apart from that, txosnas are also a point of meeting for thousands of young people looking for party, fun, and alcohol.
Every self-respected inhabitant of Bilbao has two dates marked on his or her calendar: Santo Tomás and Aste Nagusia. Every 21st of December, same as in other Basque cities like Donostia, Bilbao celebrates Santo Tomás, a really important celebration in Basque country. Moreover, Santo Tomás is known for its market, where the artisans sell their products.
It is a non-written tradition to wear the traditional Basque dressing during Santo Tomás, to assist the market with your kuadrilla ( a group of best friends), eat talo with txorizo (sausage) and drink txakoli. It usually rains during the Santo Tomás Festivity, but still, thousands of people from different towns and cities come to Bilbao to celebrate this day.
Santo Tomás is a very special day because people meet with old friends, that´s why the good atmosphere reigns. In contrary to other festivities, Santo Tomás is mainly celebrated during the day. But in the afternoon, there are also musicians and Dj´s on the main stage to make the party pleasant.
ASTE NAGUSIA
Aste Nagusia, also known as la semana grande de Bilbao, is the most important festivity of Bilbao. Every year Mari Jaia: an emblematic character that symbolizes the festive spirit of Bilbao, goes up to the Arriaga Theatre to start the festivity with the Txupinazo. El Txupinazo is the ceremony that announces the start of ten days of party in the city.If you are thinking about going to the Txupinazo, you should know that it is usual to throw flour and eggs to each other.
During those 10 days, Bilbao is filled with party and joy. Every night, the fireworks cover the sky with colors and forms and reflect in the estuary, creating a magical atmosphere. After the traditional firework show, music concerts can be found at different points of the city. Apart from that, txosnas are also a point of meeting for thousands of young people looking for party, fun, and alcohol.
