We conclude the trio of the most festive months of Basque culture in September 2025 with the supreme imagination of cinema in San Sebastian and the excitement of global magic in the capital of the Basques, Vitoria-Gasteiz. And with the best of Spanish Television (TVE)!

In September 2025, the San Sebastian International Film Festival will celebrate 70 years since it obtained the status of a color film festival and an internationally competitive festival. Furthermore, in that same year, 1955, the General Assembly of the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) was held for the first time at San Sebastián City Hall.

As a historical anecdote, the presence of sufficient FIAPF members at the festival and the interests of other European festivals generated a great deal of criticism. This led to the withdrawal of the festival’s status, its “B” category, and official recognition by the Federation. Fortunately, in 1957, it recovered all that it had lost and was definitively granted “A” category. The Golden Shells appeared that year.

Today, the festival is the third most important cultural initiative in Spain, and the first as a “cultural flagship” of the Basque Country for being the most outstanding initiative in the entire territory, according to the Culture Observatory in 2024. It is followed by the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, fourth in Spain and second in the Basque Country. At the Spanish level, the Prado and Reina Sofía museums occupy the top two places, in that order.

After the autonomous communities of Madrid and Catalonia, this Observatory awards the Basque Country third place for “the quality and innovation of its cultural offering.” In addition to the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Guggenheim Museum, the professionals of this Foundation evaluate the cultural offerings of the Azkuna Zentroa – Alhóndiga in Bilbao, the Álava Contemporary Art Center (Artium), and the Chillida-Leku Museum. Additionally, they include: the International Center for Contemporary Culture (Tabakalera), the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, the San Sebastian Jazz Festival, the Basque Country Symphony Orchestra, the San Sebastian Musical Fortnight, Bilbao BBK Live, Abao (Bilbao Opera), Azkena Rock Festival, the San Telmo Museum, Consonni publishing house, Durangoko Azoka, the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, and the Arriaga Theater.

By city, Bilbao ranked third for the quality of its cultural offerings in 2024, after Madrid and Barcelona. San Sebastian is seventh on the list, after Malaga, Valencia, and Seville, for the high quality of its cultural offerings.

The “Must-See Film Festivals” in Spain in 2024, according to the Observatory of Culture, are, in this order:

  1. San Sebastian Film Festival
  2. Malaga Film Festival. Cinema in Spanish
  3. Valladolid International Film Week
  4. Gijón International Film Festival
  5. Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival
  6. Catalunya

The capital of the Basques is considered by National Geographic Travel, in the Culture and History category, as one of its “Best of the World” destinations. Vitoria-Gasteiz also shines in September 2025 with varied and splendid Basque cultural experiences. For example:

  • Magialdia. Every September, the International Magic Festival relives our childhood and the wonder of the incredible things in the world. More than 1,000 magicians, in its 36 editions, have performed more than 1,800 shows to around 200,000 spectators, according to its website. It’s the oldest magic festival in Spain (August 1988); in addition to its international professional congress, it fills the streets of Vitoria and its main theaters, halls, and bars with the smiles and wonder of citizens and visitors. You’re sure to have a great time, and so will your children!
  • Festval. National Festival of Spanish Television. A meeting of professionals, artists, and television fans. Where series premieres, new entertainment programs from networks and production companies are presented, debate workshops, awards, and galas are held… Since 2009, there have been 16 editions, with 88 new series or programs premiering, attracting approximately 240,000 viewers and the participation of almost 5,000 professionals, including technicians, promoters, artists, and more. This year, the festival announces the creation of an Audiovisual Sector Observatory as a technical and management advisor to the festival. If you like TV and red carpets (in this case, orange), this is a great plan!
  • Vitoria-Gasteiz Medieval Market; also known as the Medieval Almond Market, due to the shape of this ancient medieval neighborhood. A vivid recreation of medieval daily life immerses you in this historical period. It was a very important commercial center between southern and northern Spain, and the Royal Road from Madrid to Europe, or vice versa. Where Christian, Jewish, and Arab cultures intermingle and coexist for a long time. An unforgettable experience!

Two sporting events in September 2025 with a large following in the province of Alava and surrounding provinces are:

  • 68th BLAN Cyclotourism Race (Burgos – La Rioja – Álava – Navarra). The oldest in Spain, still active since 1955. September 13th.
  • 12th March “Mercedes Benz” MTB Mountain Bike Race through the Montes de Vitoria (34 and 54 km races). September 21st.

The proposals I have selected for you, in addition to the above, as the best that Basque culture has to offer in September 2025 are:

 

Basque culture events in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa

  1. “Mare Clausum: Whose is the sea? “. Collection of historical pieces, from weapons and banners of naval battles to maps and exotic objects. Basque Maritime Museum. From July 5th, 2024 to November 2nd.
  2. Harri, Lurra, Huts [Stone, Earth, Void] exhibition. Eduardo Chillida’s material universe from the perspective of earth and stone. From February 6th to October 12th.
  3. Cristobal Balenciaga: Technique, Material, and Form. An exhibition offering an in-depth and educational look at the couturier’s work, influence, and legacy. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. From March 7th to January 11th, 2026.
  4. Temporary Exhibition: Girovago and Rondella. An Italian puppet company with thirty-nine years of experience. Tolosa International Puppet Center. From March 22nd to September 21st.
  5. “The Subtleties of a Dialogue” Balenciaga’s first museum exhibition. A selection of dresses designed by Basque couturier Balenciaga and Georgian creative director Demna. Documents from the Balenciaga archive. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. From May 23rd to January 11th, 2026.
  6. “Dressing a Garden” exhibition. How floral motifs transformed Baroque and Enlightenment textile art; and the evolution of 18th-century taste and aesthetics. San Telmo Museum. From June 7th to September 28th.
  7. Whitney Only. A concert by singer Cristina Ramos in tribute to Whitney Houston. Featuring a dance troupe, prestigious musicians, and an excellent choir. Victoria Eugenia Theater. September 5th-7th.
  8. “Our Last Chords.” Musical tour by the Spanish duo Andy y Lucas. Premieres and classic hits. Kursaal Auditorium. September 6th.
  9. Zarzuela “Los Gavilanes”. Music by Jacinto Guerrero & libretto by José Ramos Martín. Cast of actors and singers, orchestra, and choir of the “Sasibill” Lyric Association. Victoria Eugenia Theater. September 13th & 14th.
  10. 73rd San Sebastian International Film Festival. Kursaal Auditorium & more. This year’s retrospective is for screenwriter Lillian Hellman. September 19th-27th.

 

Basque culture proposals in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Álava in September 2025

  1.  A story of Judith and Holofernes. Exhibition of Peeter Sion (Antwerp, Belgium, 1624 – 1695), Flemish Baroque painter. Museum of Fine Arts of Alava. From February 20th to September 14th.
  2. Exhibition “Musikarta. Card Music. Music in Playing Cards.” More than 60 cards related to musical themes or content from the 18th to the 21st century. BIBAT Museum. Fournier Playing Card Museum. From March 23rd to October 31st.
  3. Asins, Oteiza, and Palazuelo. Giving Shape to the Transcendent. Three pioneering figures challenging the principle of abstraction through diverse and sometimes converging formal choices. Museum of Contemporary Art of the Basque Country – Artium Museoa. Opening March 28th, closing date not yet set.
  4. Exhibition: “Women. Work and Family”. Themes: Women and the Rural World, Women and the Sea, and Not Just Mothers. Women in Basque Society, 19th and 20th Centuries. Álava Museum of Fine Arts. From April 8th to October 19th.
  5. 11th Korterraza Araba. Short films on open-air terraces throughout the province of Álava. Sections: Super Selection, Komedia, Txiki, and Mix. From June 20th to September 5th.
  6. “Monument to the Family” exhibition. Works and performances by Abel Azcona, an international, radical artist committed to contemporary art. Montehermoso Cultural Center. From June 20th to September 5th.
  7. FesTVal – 17th Vitoria-Gasteiz Television Festival. A Spanish gathering of viewers, TV professionals, and TV stars. Premieres of series and entertainment programs, networks, production companies, workshops, fans, awards, galas… Europa Conference Center and more. September 1st-6th.
  8. Dantza Plazan. Folklore and popular music for all citizens. Municipal Folklore Academy. Kiosk in La Florida Park and other squares in Vitoria-Gasteiz. September 5th and 12th.
  9. Belar Sounds. Open-air live music festival. Recreation and social space. Falerina Garden. Cuarteto Sua on September 6th and the rock band Lince on September 13th.
  10. Magialdia. XXXVII International Magic Festival. Illusion takes center stage with galas, street magic, conferences, exhibitions, & activities for everyone. From September 15th to 21st.
  11. Vitoria-Gasteiz Medieval Market. The Old Town recreates the medieval era with trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, goldsmithing, glassmaking, jugglers, minstrels, acrobats, & other performances. This market brings together Christians, Arabs, & Jews. September 26th, 27th & 28th.

 

Basque culture activities in Bilbao and Biscay in September 2025

  1. in situ: Refik Anadol. Exhibition of the immersive, architectural & multisensory work of Turkish video artist Refik Anadol. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From March 7th to October 19th.
  2. From Greco to Zuloaga: Masterpieces of Spanish Art. 30 paintings and two representative sculptures. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From April 1st to September 25th.
  3. Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without rules. New ways of abstraction from the 1950s to the first decade of the 21st century. Organized by the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi (Florence) and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation (New York). Guggenheim Museum. From April 11th to September 28th.
  4. Exhibition “Agustín Ibarrola. Euskadi, 1977-1979”. Iberdrola-Museo 2024 Conservation and Restoration Program. Also included are four canvases from his Guernica with some of Picasso’s work. Rooms 11-16. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From June 17th to September 30th.
  5. Barbara Kruger exhibition. Where language occupies a central place. First anthological exhibition of the artist in Spain. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From June 24th to November 9th.
  6. Mamma Mia! The Musical. Greatest hits from the legendary Swedish group ABBA. Arriaga Theatre. From August 14th to September 21st.
  7. Verdi’s Requiem. IV edition of the Ren Hacer Festival. Tenor, soprano, mezzo-soprano, bass, Orfeón Donostiarra and the Bilboko Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Auditorium, Euskalduna Palace. September 14th.
  8. Pimpinela. Argentinian duo of singers Lucia and Joaquín. A performance of their greatest hits. Auditorium, Euskalduna Palace. September 16th.
  9. Shaking the Feet. Concert by the Bilbao Municipal Txistularis Band in collaboration with the Oinkari Garazi Navas Dance Company (accordion). A living testament to the municipal minstrel and juggler groups in the Middle Ages. Basurto. September 25th.
  10. “Thank You” World Tour. Concert by renowned Spanish singer Paloma San Basilio to celebrate her 50th anniversary. Auditorium, Euskalduna Palace. September 27th.
  11. “Dantza Plazetan”. Parade of giants of the Ondalan Erraldoien Konpartsa in Sarriko in the morning. Show off dances with Ibai Arte Dantza Taldea at the Frontón de Zorrotza in the middle of the afternoon. Pilgrimage with Salbatzaile Dantza Taldea in Plaza Santiago (Casco Viejo) at night. September 27th.

A great plan that Basque culture offers us in September 2025 is to see the world’s best films at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, along with personalized guided tours with Aitor Delgado Tours to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Chillida-Leku Museum in Hernani. And complete this plan with a visit to the Basque capital, and enjoy the Magic and Spanish Television Festivals in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Contact me and we’ll tailor your stay in the Basque Country.

July 10, 2025