Basque culture is not cooling down in February 2025 and brings us various cultural, sporting, gastronomic, festive and traditional events with a lot of local and international warmth.

I also come back from the International Tourism Fair, at the end of last month, in Madrid, with a lot of human warmth. The North American exclusive lifestyle concierge Paradise a la Carte invited me, once again, to participate in FITUR for the presentation of its Community of Tourist Guides. Many thanks to this company for its support and consideration as its ambassador in the Basque Country.

February is the month of carnivals in many parts of the world. And the Basque region is no stranger to this reality. Each Basque province has its peculiarities:

  • Carnivals in Alava. One of the oldest in the province is that of Zalduondo. There are also carnivals in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Salvatierra, Ilarduia, Egino and Andoin, Laudio, Santa Cruz de Campezo and Salcedo. From February 22th to March 8th.
  • Carnivals in Gipuzkoa province. The Carnivals of Tolosa are the most famous in the Basque Country. And those of San Sebastian are notable for their comparsas. From February 27th to March 5th.
  • Carnivals in Bizkaia. The most famous in the province are those of Bilbao, Mundaka and Markina-Xemen. I suggest you see the “atorras” and the “lamias” of the Mundaka carnivals. From February 27th to March 4th.

Basquetour, the Basque Tourism Agency, presents Basque Confidential from February 11th to 13th at the Entire Travel Group Showcase & Soiree 2025 in Australia:

  • Melbourne. February 11th
  • Sidney. February 12th
  • Brisbane. February 13th.

It will also be at the Fair f.re.e in Munich from February 19th to 23rd, and Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings (IBTM) in Barcelona from 11th to 13th February.

The Cristobal Balenciaga Museum will be temporarily closed from January 13th to March 8th due to an exhibition change. Remember that this year, on January 21st, it was the 130th anniversary of the birth of the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. We hope that the planned programme will live up to this event, as it always does. In addition, in 2025 we will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Basque French composer Maurice Ravel. Born in Ziburu, Iparralde, on March 7th 1875.

Visit the Basque Country with Aitor Delgado Tours and enjoy the Basque culture events that the month of February 2025 has to offer:

 

Basque culture events in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa

  • 100 years. The modern and/or the contemporary. Exhibition of Basque art from the 1920s to the present. San Telmo Museum. From April 13th, 2024 to June 30th, 2026.
  • Eibar’s maritime adventure. Eibar Arms Industry Museum Exhibition that highlights the historical relationship between the city and the sea, especially in industry and trade. From December 18th, 2024 to March 30th.
  • Harri, Lurra, Huts [Stone, Earth, Void]. Exhibition that analyses Eduardo Chillida’s material universe from the perspective of earth and stone. From February 6th to May 26th.
  • Na Floresta + Duende + Cantus. Nacho Duato Dance Company. Musical triptych that recreates the beauty of the Amazon rainforest, capturing directly from folklore the very essence of its splendor. Victoria Eugenia Teatro. February 14th.
  • Rococo Bunker. Maika Makovski (voice, piano and guitar) and accompanying group. Principal Theater. February 14th.
  • ‘Vuela’. A show by flamenco dancer Sara Baras in homage to maestro Paco de Lucía. Kursaal Palace. February 14th and 15th.
  • A short story. A round trip, Buenos Aires – Madrid – Buenos Aires. With the poetry, music and emotion of Héctor Alterio. Victoria Eugenia Theatre. February 16th.
  • «Poema del Cante Jondo» by Federico García Lorca. The singer Miguel Poveda takes flamenco and Lorca’s timeless texts and presents us with a great show. Kursaal Palace. February 21st.
  • Kinky Boots the Musical, by Theatre Properties. A musical that will make you laugh out loud, get emotional, dance, and reflect. Victoria Eugenia Theatre. From February 21st to 23th.
  • XLVIII Eibar Theatre Days. All kinds of plays with a variety of styles and top-notch performers. Teatro Coliseo. From February 25th to April 8th.

 

Basque culture activities in Bilbao and Biscay in February 2025

  • Antonio de Guezala (1889-1956): new collection. Works of art, documents and various objects. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. From September 27th, 2024 to June 30th.
  • Donizetti’s favorite. ABAO Bilbao Opera. Original version in French. The opera is inspired by the relationship between King Alfonso XI of Castile and Leonor de Guzmán. Euskalduna Palace. From February 15th to 24th.
  • BasqueTxok Festival. Bean-to-bar chocolate and specialty coffee festival. Tastings, showcooking sessions, conferences and seminars for professionals, sales area, children’s activities, exhibitions, competitions and more. Horcasitas Palace in Balmaseda. From February 21st to 23th.
  • Tarsila do Amaral. Painting modern Brazil. A central figure of Brazilian modernism, she paints an “authentic”, multicultural and multiracial Brazil. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From February 21st to June 1st.
  • Masterpieces on Paper from Budapest. Exhibition of works from the extensive collections of the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. From February 21st to June 1th.
  • XX Japan Weekend. Activities to enjoy and connect with Japanese culture: manga, anime and comics. Costume contest, talks with special guests, unique products. Bilbao Exhibition Center, Barakaldo. February 22nd.
  • “Winds in tribute”. Unique concert by the Bilbao Municipal Band conducted by Pascual-Vilaplana and bassoonist Jordi Ripoll Corella, with pieces by Rossini and Blanquer. Arriaga Theatre. February 23rd.
  • Ravel & Co. A delicious evening focusing on the Basque musician Maurice Ravel and his contemporary colleagues from the cream of the mélodie française. Baritone: Josep-Ramon Olivé. Piano: Francisco Poyato. Arriaga Theater. February 26th.
  • On the waterfront. Pianist Wayne Marshall. Works by Gershwin and Bernstein. Euskalduna Palace. February 27th and 28th.
  • Three Masters – Three Works. Balanchine, van Manen and Forsythe. Ballett am Rhein Düsseldorf Duisburg. One of the largest ballet companies in the world. Arriaga Teatro. February 28th and March 1st.

 

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

  • Bernaola Zikloa Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz. More than 12 classical music concerts. Ensemble Kuraia, Anthony Pateras & Drumming GP, Ensemble Sinkro and more. Jesús Guridi Music Conservatory (main headquarters), Artium Museum, and Andra Mari Aretoa in Araia. From October 14th, 2024 to February 3rd.
  • Joëlle Tuerlinckx. The case of the house museum. A disconcerting retrospective in which Tuerlinckx brings together historical works alongside recent proposals. Museum of Contemporary Art of the Basque Country, Artium. From November 15th, 2024 to May 4th.
  • Exhibition “Metralla Zauriak” by Verónica Domingo-Alonso. Plastic research and production project. Montehermoso Cultural Center. From January 24th to March 16th.
  • 5th. Gasteiz Talent. Iker Olazabal directs the conservatory students and the Municipal Band. Jesús Guridi Conservatory. Aula Magna. February 14th.
  • Valentine’s Day in Rioja Alavesa. Villa Lucia (Laguardia), La Huerta Vieja restaurant, Eguren Ugarte Wineries and Izadi Wineries. From February 14th to 16th.
  • Umbra Light Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Captivating light installations and outdoor art projections in the city centre and the Eixample. International artists. From February 14th to 16th.
  • Neverland, the musical. A tribute to Peter Pan. Choreographies and children’s songs. Vital Foundation Casa Cultura. February 15th and 16th.
  • Eneritz Furyak. Presentation of her latest album HHH. She is one of the voices of the new song in Basque. Cloister of the Montehermoso Cultural Center. February 16th.
  • Musical Tuesdays – AETÉRNUM Quintet. Basque Country Higher Music Centre, Musikene. Vital Casa Cultura Foundation. February 18th.
  • Musical Tuesdays – Mikhail Pochekin (violin) & Kenny Broberg (piano). Works by Beethoven, Schonberg, Brahms and Schubert. Vital Foundation Casa Cultura. February 25th.
  • Celebrate! Concert by the Municipal Band. Guest conductor: Isabel Rubio. Son Montuno, Tango, Guaracha, Paso doble, Tumbao, Habanera,… Europa Conference Centre. February 26th.

Discover the Basque Country through the best events of Basque culture in February 2025 or in the following months. Between March and April, the new high tourist season begins and I can be your host through the best corners, and special and exclusive places, of the Basque region on both sides of the Spanish and French border. I look forward to hearing from you.

February 11, 2025