Basque culture May 2026 invites a deeper encounter with the Basque Country at one of its most vibrant moments of the year. As spring reaches its full expression, cultural life expands across cities, coastal towns, vineyards, and mountain landscapes. Festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and living traditions create a rich cultural tapestry where history, creativity, and community continue to shape the identity of this singular region of Europe

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

  • Patron saint festivities of San Prudencio in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Military band performances. Pilgrimages to the sanctuaries of Armentia and Estibaliz. Celebrations in the sanctuary grounds: potato omelet competitions, Basque rural sports, traditional dances, etc. From April 27th to May 1st.
  • Vitoria-Gasteiz BBT Basque Country. MTB XCO (Shimano Super Cup Massi), MTB Marathon (Open and Professional categories) and MTB Half Marathon (Open and E-bike categories). Olarizu Park. May 2nd and 3rd.
  • Bird identification by song. World Migratory Bird Day. Two sessions (classroom and field trip around the Ataria Centre and its surroundings in the Salburua Wetlands). May 9th and 10th.
  • 14th edition “Poets in May” International Poetry Festival, in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Seminars, recitals, concerts, visual poetry exhibitions, public readings… From May 8th to 29th.
  • Bagpiper’s Day in Laguardia. Bagpipers from various parts of Spain participate. Concerts, dance festivals, composition and revival competitions, reveilles, parades… May 9th and 10th (Sunday the 10th is the main day).
  • Flamenco Dancers. Concert: Las Migas. A tribute to the purity of flamenco, interpreted from a fresh, free, contemporary, and empowered perspective. Four-time Latin Grammy nominees and winners in 2022 and 2025. Félix Petite Theater (Ibaiondo Civic Center). May 14th.
  • XV Vitoria-Gasteiz Chamber Music Series: Arabako Gazte Abesbatza (AGA). Álava Youth Choir, made up of young men and women aged 16 to 28. Jesús Guridi Conservatory of Music. May 17h.
  • Amets digitalak / Digital Dreams. Municipal Music Band. Europa Congress Palace. May 20th.
  • Lasala 10 urte. The Lasala Dance Company celebrates its 10th anniversary. Choreographer Judith Argómaniz. Internationally acclaimed for her dance, production aesthetics, and visual appeal. Félix Petite Theatre (Ibaiondo Civic Centre). May 21st.
  • Camela Duo. +30 Tour. Icon and leading exponent of techno-rumba. Buesa Arena. May 23rd.
  • Samaniego in Wine 2026. Savor the diversity and authenticity of this village’s terroir, paired with the exquisite gastronomic offerings of the Palacio itself. Gardens of the Hotel Palacio de Samaniego. May 29th.

Curated Basque culture experiences in Bilbao and Biscay – May 2026

  • Dora Salazar: Women of Metal and Paper. A solo exhibition showcasing the artistic career of the Basque artist, focusing on the representation of the female body and women’s identity. Rialia, Museum of Industry, in Portugalete. From March 3rd to June 14th.
  • Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective. A highly gifted and prolific artist who emerged in the US after World War II. An exhibition organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and the Museum of Modern Art, New York (MoMA). Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. March 19th – September 13th.
  • KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities. Cirque du Soleil. Technical virtuosity and storytelling will ignite your imagination. Ansio Fairgrounds (Barakaldo) from April 8th to May 24th.
  • Parallels and Meridians: The Iberdrola Collection. More than three hundred pieces of modern and contemporary art. 125th anniversary of the Iberdrola company. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From April 29th to August 30th.
  • Permanent collection of works by the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida. Where steel and granite sculptures engage in a dialogue and blend naturally with nature. Zabalaga Garden and Farmhouse. Chillida Leku Museum. Open according to schedule.
  • Bach, Strauss, Mendelssohn. A celebration of the different ages of German music. Euskadiko Orkestra, Orfeón Donostiarra, and soloists Sophie Harmsen (mezzo-soprano), Werner Güra (tenor), Florian Boesch (baritone), Markus Volpert (bass), conducted by Alexander Liebreich, director of the Orquestra de València. Euskalduna Palace. May 6th.
  • 2026 Rugby Finals: EPCR Challenge Cup and Investec Champions Cup. European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). San Mamés Stadium. May 22nd and 23rd.
  • CDND – Nacho Duato Dance Company. Featuring original works by the renowned choreographer: Duende, L’Amoroso (which premiered a few days prior), and Cantus. Arriaga Theatre. May 22nd and 23th.
  • Andrea Chénier. Opera by Giordano. 130 years since the premiere of this opera at La Scala in Milan. ABAO Bilbao Opera. Euskalduna Palace. May 22nd, 23rd, 26th and 29th.
  • Jasper Johns: Night Driver exhibition. 70 Years of Artistic Life. One of the most important figures in US art since the post-WWII era, through Pop Art, Minimalism, and Conceptual Art. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. May 29th–October 12th.
  • Bernaola, Saint-Saëns, Mendelssohn. Euskadiko Orkestra, the Vocalia Taldea choir, and Basque soloists Marifé Nogales (mezzo-soprano) and Elena Sancho Pereg (soprano), conducted by François López-Ferrer. Euskalduna Palace. May 27th.
  • Getxophoto 2026: “Reset”. Getxo International Image Festival. Exploration and experimentation with unconventional (usually public) formats, media, and spaces for displaying photographic and other types of images. May 28th to June 21st.

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

  • “Cristóbal Balenciaga: Technique, Material, and Form”. A profound and educational exploration of the couturier’s work, influence, and legacy. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum. March 7th, 2025 – January 10th, 2027.
  • Exhibition “Elcano-Urdaneta: The Discovery of the Oceans” Commemorating the 500th anniversary of Juan Sebastián Elcano’s little-known second voyage. Basque Maritime Museum. December 4th, 2025 to October 4th.
  • “Structure, Space, Time” An exhibition of 71 works, many previously unseen, by Elena Asins, from 1968 to 2011. In collaboration with the Reina Sofía Museum’s, Madrid. Kursaal Palace – Sala Cubo. From February 27th to May 24th, 2026.
  • Exhibition “The Givenchyaga Family”. A meeting of the works of Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) and Hubert de Givenchy (1927-2018). A tribute to Givenchy for his friendship, aesthetic and business affinity, and for preserving the legacy of the Basque couturier. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, Getaria. From March 28th to February 22nd, 2027.
  • 29th International Dance Day Gala. A wide range of dance styles with the altruistic collaboration of Basque and international dancers and companies. Victoria Eugenia Theatre. May 3rd.
  • Bach, Strauss, Mendelssohn. A celebration of the different ages of German music. Euskadiko Orkestra, Orfeón Donostiarra, and soloists Sophie Harmsen (mezzo-soprano), Werner Güra (tenor), Florian Boesch (baritone), Markus Volpert (bass), conducted by Alexander Liebreich, director of the Orquestra de València. Kursaal Auditorium. May 7th and 8th.
  • From Classicism to Early Romanticism with Basque composer Arriaga the “Spanish Mozart”, Haydn, and Beethoven. Cellist Steven Isserlis and the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Roberto Forés Veses. Kursaal Auditorium. May 14th.
  • 4th Pasaia Maritime Festival 2026. Exhibition of unique ships from around the world. Gastronomy, music, and maritime trades. May 14th-17th.
  • Vocal recital for International Museum Day. Works from various styles and composers, including opera arias, lieder, and zarzuela romances. Zuhara Etxabe (soprano), Marta Olmedo (soprano), Erika Velarde (mezzo-soprano) / Jon Urdapilleta (piano). San Telmo Museum Church. May 17th.
  • Zegama-Aizkorri Alpine Marathon. A qualifying race for the Golden Trail World Series. Starting in Zegama, it includes four of the highest peaks in the Basque Country, in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, Gipuzkoa. Zegama-Aizkorri Vertical Kilometer, May 15th. 25th Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon and 15th Zegama-Aizkorri Junior Trail, May 17th.
  • Dancing with Topic. Kukai Dance Company. Tolosa International Puppet Centre. First project between this museum and the performing arts. May 17th (eve of International Museum Day).
  • The chambre d’amour by Thierry Malandain. Malandain Ballet Biarritz. Inspired by the Basque Country when the author began directing the Biarritz Ballet. Victoria Eugenia Theater. From May 22nd to 24th.
  • Bernaola, Saint-Saëns, Mendelssohn. Euskadiko Orkestra, the Vocalia Taldea choir, and Basque soloists Marifé Nogales (mezzo-soprano) and Elena Sancho Pereg (soprano), conducted by François López-Ferrer. Kursaal Auditorium. May 22nd and 28th.

Throughout May 2026, Basque culture unfolds across landscapes, stages, museums, and historic towns — offering moments that connect heritage, creativity, and everyday life. For those who seek to experience culture not as spectators, but as participants, these moments become part of a deeper journey.

Basque culture, personally curated.

Aitor Delgado Tours

April 9, 2026