Selection of the Basque Culture proposals in October 2025

Basque culture begins the autumn season in October 2025 with excellent musical offerings and exhibitions, especially for music lovers.

Two notes before diving into the music:

• The UN celebrates its 80th anniversary with the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. I hope that peace will be one of the best goals achieved by this Charter this October.
• On the 27th, World Day for Audiovisual Heritage will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Since 2005, this day has been important for raising awareness and protecting cinematographic creations, radio and television programs, and audio and video recordings, as documents of our collective and individual memory. World heritage is not just about protecting historic stones or cities!

On the subject of music, October 1st marks the 50th anniversary of Musicians’ Day, or, as you prefer, Music Day. It coincides with the birth of the conductor and pianist Benjamin Britten. His Orchestral Guide for Young People allowed me to begin to recognize the names and sounds of each instrument in the orchestra and its groupings of strings, winds, brass, keyboards, and percussion. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it! I also love that the 25th is World Opera Day, coinciding with the births of Strauss II (in 1825, 200 years old this year) and Bizet in 1838. The beautiful Sydney Opera House also celebrates its birthday this month. And Mozart premiered Don Giovanni in Prague, a masterpiece.

Lennon would have turned 85th, and 60 years since he received the Order of the British Empire along with the other The Beatles. They released their first single in October 1962. The musical “Cats” premiered on Broadway. Chopin presented his Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the most important in the history of music. Queen released their single “Bohemian Rhapsody” 50 years ago, and in October, Freddie Mercury performed his final concert in Barcelona. Michael Jackson released his final album, Invisible.

Other important global anniversaries this month include:

• 533 years separate us from Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to America. He arrived on the island of Guanahaní (Bahamas) on October 12th, a day currently known as Hispanic Heritage Day and a national holiday in Spain. Since 2014, the UN has celebrated Spanish Language Day as an “element of cohesion and consolidation” for the Hispanic world. In October, the Spanish Magellan-Elcano expedition also entered what is now known as the Strait of Magellan through Cape Virgen.
• And 460 years separate us from the arrival of the Basque Andrés Urdaneta in Acapulco, having been the first to determine the correct route for the return voyage across the Pacific from the Philippine Islands.

In what is now the United States, 290 years ago, on October 30th, 1735, John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. He was the first vice president (1789-1797) and second president of the United States of America (1797-1801). Just three days before his 60th birthday, he signed the Treaty of St. Lawrence, which defined the border between the United States and the Spanish territories in North America and the rights of navigation on the Mississippi River. Working at the beginning of the negotiations for this treaty was the Basque Diego Gardoqui, who was the first Spanish ambassador to the United States during the first presidential term. The two Adamses (before becoming presidents) and Gardoqui met each other personally during their stay in the Basque Country. (See 245 years of the travel of the Adams (USA presidents) by the Basque Country). 

225 years separate us from November 1st, 1800, when John Adams entered the White House. The first president to live there. On October 12th, 1792, 300 years after Columbus’s arrival, the cornerstone of the White House was laid. The following day, construction began on the presidential residence project, promoted by Washington in 1790. On another October 12th, but in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt christened the presidential building the “White House.” And for the first time, Columbus Day was celebrated in New York. On October 6th, 1979, Christian Pope John Paul II visited the White House for the first time, with Jimmy Carter as president.

This October 12th, the Basque Country celebrates the 280th anniversary of the birth (in 1745) in Alava of Félix María de Samaniego. Known as the Fabulist, for the number of fables he wrote with surprising morals, the only non-native Basque composer to have written his musical works in the Basque language was also born. Marie-Joseph Canteloube de Malaret is a French composer, musicologist, and author. The Chants des Pays Basques are works for piano and voice that he created based on Basque folk songs. Dictators Adolf Hitler and Francisco Franco met in Hendaye during World War II 85 years ago.

Two important events on the Basque culture events in October 2025 are:

• The International Congress of the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga at the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria. You can learn more about his life and work in the conference program.
• From El Greco to Zuloaga. This exhibition concludes this October and features works by renowned artists from four centuries of Spanish painting.

You can complete your visit with Aitor Delgado Tours to the Basque Country. You can also visit the Cultural Space of the renowned Basque painter Ignacio Zuloaga, who died in Madrid on October 31, 1945, 80 years ago.

Basque culture proposals in Bilbao and Biscay

• 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.
• From El Greco to Zuloaga. 32 masterpieces (30 paintings and 2 sculptures) of Spanish art at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. Four centuries of Spanish art: El Greco, José de Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo, Luis Paret, Goya, & the Basque artist Ignacio Zuloaga. From April 1st to October 5th.
• 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.
• Voices of organ-children’s choirs. A concert featuring movement, rhythm, & nonverbal language, with the organ as soloist, featuring works by Mozart, Franck, & Charpentier. Five children’s choirs. 150 choristers aged 8 to 16 sing Basque composers, Pau Casals, & Jerry Estes. Euskalduna Palace. October 5th.
• The Rocky Horror Show. Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical. The same London production, in its original version with Basque and Spanish subtitles. The longest-running contemporary musical. Arriaga Theatre. October 8th-12th.
• Exhibition “Maria Helena Vieira da Silva. Anatomy of Space.” 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 to February 22nd, 2026.
• Bilbao Night Running Fest. International night race. Starting at San Mames Stadium & finishing at the Guggenheim Museum. The route includes iconic locations: Euskalduna Palace, Gran Vía, Arriaga Theatre, the Old Town, City Hall, Isozaki Towers, & the Calatrava Bridge. Music, lights, entertainment, & a festive atmosphere. October 18th.
• gREAT sTRAITS: The great songs of dIRE sTRAITS. Tribute. New musical show by Óscar Rosende and his new band gREAT sTRAITS. Euskalduna Palace. October 24th.
• Dantza Plazetan. Popular dances in squares and the streets. Kalejira (dancers & musicians tour) by Beti Jai Alai Dantzari Taldea at 1 p.m. in Basurto. And the Salbatzaile Dantza Taldea pilgrimage in the Plaza de Santiago at 8 p.m. Bilbao. October 25th.
• 19th Euskalgym. A show featuring medal-winning gymnasts from the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics and Group Championships. Bilbao Exhibition Centre. October 31st–November 2nd.

Basque culture activities in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa in October 2025

• Harri, Lurra, Huts [Stone, Earth, Void] exhibition. Eduardo Chillida’s material universe from the perspective of earth and stone. Chillida-Leku Museum. From February 6th to October 12th.
• 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.
• Ignacio Zuloaga Cultural Space. Museum of the Basque painter’s historical collection. Permanent collection of famous artist friends: Calder, Dalí, Goya, Miró, Picasso, Rodin, among others. Chapel of the Camino de Santiago. Studio-workshop & natural space. All month.
• Soinuenea – Herri Musikaren Txokoa – Popular Music Center. More than 400 examples from the collection of musical instruments & musical toys from Basque Country & around the world. Private collection of performer, scholar, maker, & teacher Juan Mari Beltran Argiñena. Library, record library, and archives. Oyarzun. All month.
• Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom. Fourth album by the ballad group The Delines. Amy Boone (vocals), Cory Gray (trumpet, keyboards), Sean Oldham (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Freddy Trujillo (bass, backing vocals), Willy Vlautin (guitar, backing vocals). Victoria Eugenia Theater. October 2nd.
• 2nd International Congress on Cristóbal Balenciaga. To promote research into the figure & work of the designer (personal, business, creative, technical, etc.) & his environment. Click to view the program. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, Getaria. October 2nd & 3rd.
• 27th San Sebastián Gastronomika – Euskadi Basque Country. 2025 themes: “Tradition & Regeneration” & the Sea. A world-renowned haute cuisine congress focused on the regeneration of damaged ecosystems, communities, & culinary cultures. Professional gastronomic fair, tastings, & more. Kursaal Palace. October 6th-8th.
• Raphaelísimo Tour. Concert by the famous Spanish singer Raphael, the eternal Divo of Linares. Classic hits and from his new album “Ayer… todavía,” a tribute to Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, and French chanson. Kursaal Auditorium. October 11th.
• “Gracias” tour. A farewell and tribute to Spanish singer Paloma San Basilio‘s 50-year career in music and on stage. Kursaal Auditorium. October 19th.
• 56^th Tolosa International Choral Competition. Brings together the world’s finest choral groups & promotes knowledge of Basque musical & cultural tradition. Chamber choirs (Basque song, popular music, and polyphony), children’s choirs, & vocal groups (religious & secular music). From October 31st to November 2nd.

Basque culture events in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Álava in October 2025

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• “Ignacio Aldecoa. The Storyteller.” Exhibition about his personal and professional career. Centenary of the birth of the Vitoria-born writer Ignacio Aldecoa (1925–2025). Cultural Center. From May 26th to October 15th.
• Camela. “Over 30” Tour. Concert by the world’s best techno-rumba band. Buesa Arena. October 3rd.
• “Tribute to Ravel, 150th Anniversary“. Vitoria-Gasteiz Chamber Music Series 2025. Víctor Parra, violin. Iván Casado, cello. Alfonso Gómez, piano. Jesús Guridi Music Conservatory. October 12th.
• ‘The Last Kingdom’. Concert by the Municipal Band. Outside the Church of Our Lady of Pilar, El Pilar neighborhood. October 12th.
• Vibra Mahou Siloé Tour. Singer-songwriter trio Fito, Xavi, and Jaco. Vocals and guitar. Jimmy Jazz Hall. October 23rd.
• Orbea Gravel Rioja Alavesa 2025. A nature-based sporting event, steeped in culture and a passion for gravel cycling. Especially for cycling and wine tourism enthusiasts. October 24th-25th.
• ‘Transfigured Night: Echoes and Metamorphoses of Weber, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven‘. Concert by the Municipal Band. Contemplating music as a living art. Europa Conference Center. October 29th.

You have no excuse, whether it’s for the musical offerings or other Basque culture in October 2025 has to offer, I’ll be waiting for you. Contact me if you’re interested in completing your Basque experience with an itinerary designed in conjunction with Aitor Delgado Tours on any day you like. Don’t delay, as October is a month when I’m in high demand. If you can’t, November through March is the low tourist season in the Basque Country. And we can still have a great time!