The meticulous selection of Basque culture experiences for January 2026 ensures that the family spirit of Christmas and the start of the New Year remain strong. Let the art, culture, and elegant lifestyle of the Basques fill your soul!

Curated Basque culture experiences in Bilbao and Biscay – January 2026

  • Georg Baselitz. Painting Exhibition 2014-2025, from the age of 77 to 87. A leading painter of contemporary European art. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From Oct 8th, 2025 to March 1st.
  • “Maria Helena Vieira da Silva. Anatomy of Space” exhibition. She creates architectural spaces that blur the boundaries of real and imaginary urban landscapes. Venues: Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From October 16th, 2025 to February 20th.
  • Christmas craft market in Bilbao. Ceramics, jewelry, toys, leather goods, wood carvings, textiles… Doña Casilda Park. From December 5th, 2025 to January 5th.
  • Earth Arts. Art committed to sustainability. The use of new, locally sourced, compostable, or recycled materials, and an innovative approach to exhibition logistics, pave the way for a circular economy in art. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. December 5th, 2025 – May 3rd.
  • Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, Richard Strauss, Rachel Willis-Sørensen, and Johannes Brahms. Euskadiko Orkestra – Basque National Orchestra. 200th anniversary of the Basque composer’s death. Euskalduna Palace. January 16th.
  • Arriaga and the Echo of His Time. A special tribute concert commemorating the bicentenary of the death of the Bilbao-born composer Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, after whom the theater is named. Orchestra: La Ritirata, two tenors and a baritone. Arriaga Theater. January 17th.
  • Carmina Burana & Concierto de Aranjuez. This concert unites two universal masterpieces. Rolando Saad, master of the Spanish guitar, with the Grand Symphony Orchestra, and the Odessa National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Champs-Élysées Theatre. January 20th.
  • Werther by Jules Massenet. ABAO – Bilbao Opera & Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Based on the epistolary novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) by Goethe. Euskalduna Palace. January 17th, 20th, 23rd and 26th.
  • Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Ibarrondo, M. Mussorgsky / M. Ravel. Program dedicated to Russia. Euskadiko Orkestra – Basque National Orchestra. Euskalduna Palace. January 26th and 29th.
  • Joaquín Achúcarro – Master of Masters. A tribute to the Basque pianist Joaquín Achúcarro, by his student and renowned concert pianist Alessio Bax. Works by Brahms, Stravinsky, and Arriaga. Erik Nielsen conducts the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS). January 29th and 30th.
  • Hevia, the Asturian bagpiper. Gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Platinum Europe Award for his legendary album Tierra de Nadie. Flutes, bagpipes, traditional percussion, electric bass, drums, and keyboards from his regular band. Campos Elíseos Theatre. January 31st.

 

Curated Basque culture experiences in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa – January 2026

  • 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.
  • “The Subtleties of a Dialogue” First exhibition of the Balenciaga brand. 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.
  • Ataria (bat). Atari or ataria means door, entrance, portal, atrium, vestibule, portico in Basque. Exhibition on the history of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum through various artistic practices, and its influence on other Basque cultural institutions. From October 8th, 2025 – January 18th.
  • Limina: Cosmopolitan Chicken Project 30. Euskadi Mugak International Architecture Biennial. Koen Vanmechelen blends art, science, nature, and society. And he reflects, like Chillida, on the “limit” as a place of creation. Chillida Leku Museum. From October 17th to February 22nd.
  • Photographic exhibition “The admirable aspects of Gipuzkoa“. A tribute to the 1000th anniversary of the word “Ipuscoa“. Photographers: María Azkarate, Peter Bialobrzeski, Dragana Jurišić and Lobo Altuna. Kutxa Fundazioa Artegunea, Tabakalera. November 21st, 2025 to March 1st.
  • Exhibition “Elcano-Urdaneta: The Discovery of the Oceans”. Commemorating the 500th anniversary of Juan Sebastian Elcano’s little-known second voyage. Basque Maritime Museum. From December 4th, 2025 to October 4th.
  • Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, Richard Strauss, Rachel Willis-Sørensen, and Johannes Brahms. Euskadiko Orkestra – Basque National Orchestra. 200th anniversary of the Basque composer’s death. Kursaal Palace. January 12th and 15th.
  • “Gure sagardo berria!” (Our new cider!). The start of cider season in the Basque Country. At the cry of “Txotx!”, you pour yourself the natural cider directly from the kupelas (barrels). Astigarraga, Hernani, Usurbil, and Urnieta. Mid-January to the end of April.
  • And I Keep Going Tour. Septeto Santiaguero – traditional Cuban music group. Chamber Hall, Kursaal Palace. January 16th.
  • Drum Festival of San Sebastian. Feast of the Christian martyr Saint Sebastian, patron saint of the city. Popular festival of drums and barrels; and a variety of cultural activities, awards, and more. January 19th and 20th.
  • Uran-zu, a multifaceted look at Basque music. Manu Gaigne (txalaparta, percussion), Iñaki Alberdi (accordion), Leire Romero and Aiert Beobide, Haatik dantza (dance). Principal Teatro. January 24th.
  • Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Ibarrondo, M. Mussorgsky / M. Ravel. Program dedicated to Russia. Euskadiko Orkestra – Basque National Orchestra. Kursaal Palace. January 26th and 29th.
  • Andy Sheppard Trio: Sheppard (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone), Rita Marcotulli (piano), and Michel Benita (bass). Contemporary European jazz. Victoria Eugenia Theatre. January 28th.

 

Curated Basque culture experiences in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alava – January 2026

  • “Isaak Díez (1891-1962). Life and Work of an Álava Artist” exhibition. Painting, sculpture, illustration, film, etc.; and art in his political activism in the Basque Nationalist Party. Álava Museum of Fine Arts. From September 24th to April 12th, 2026.
  • “Nilu.” Circus, magic, and object theater. Infinit Company. “Nilu” means “water” in southern India. This is a journey of resilience, searching, and friendship that invites us to reflect on our relationship with water. Iparralde Civic Center. Beñat Etxepare Theater. January 2nd.
  • Three Kings Parade. Arrival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, greeting from the balcony of the City Hall, meeting of the Three Kings with children at the Villa-Suso Palace, and the traditional parade. January 5th.
  • Dantzaldia, Municipal Band of Txistularis of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Concert to dance. Izaskun Arrue Cultural Center. January 9th.
  • Exhibitions: The Queens of Álava. 25 photographs and a short film (9 minutes) by Martín Barandalla about a pair of golden eagles in Álava. Ataria – Salburua Wetlands Interpretation Center. Suggestion: visit the wetland. From January 15th to March 1th.
  • Illusion-art. A new show by international illusionist Jorge Blass, a fascinating journey into magic in its purest and most intimate form. Félix Petite Theatre (Ibaiondo Civic Centre). January 17th.
  • Gerhard Quartet. 2 violins, viola and cello. Works by Bach, Schumann, Bartok, Janacek and others. Hall A – Caja Vital Foundation Theatre. January 20th.
  • ‘The Dream of the Firmament’. The sky – as a physical, symbolic, and spiritual space – becomes the protagonist of sound. World premiere. Concert by the Municipal Band. Europa Conference Centre. January 21st.
  • Yarin. An intercultural encounter through dance. Basque dancer Jon Maya and flamenco dancer Andrés Marín, accompanied by live music from Julen Achiary, engage in a dialogue through dance. Félix Petite Theatre (Ibaiondo Civic Centre). January 30th.
  • Israel Fernández, flamenco singer. Rubén Lara, guitarist. 29th Flamenco Cycle of the 21st Century. Jesús Ibáñez de Matauco Theatre (Hegoalde Civic Centre). January 31st.

Don’t hesitate to incorporate some of these Basque culture experiences into the design of your personalized, private guided tours with Aitor Delgado Tours. A sophisticated Basque culture experience tailored to your personal or family preferences!

Basque culture, personally curated.
Aitor Delgado Tours

December 26, 2025