Basque culture offers a diverse array of cultural, sporting, leisure, traditional, and festive events in November 2025. Many of them are aimed at local audiences or are in Basque, but I’m not including them in these suggestions if they can’t be fully enjoyed by visitors. If you’re curious about the languages, the title of this article in Basque is: Aitor Delgadoren 2025eko azaroko eusko kultur ekitaldi onenen aukeraketa. You can also read this agenda in Spanish.

Azaro is the name of the month of November in Batua, the official variant of the Basque language. The eleventh month of the year in the current Gregorian calendar comes from the Basque root aza, meaning “cabbage,” or “collard,” and comes from hazi, meaning “seed.” It is the month in which Basque farmers (baserritarras) sow a large part of their annual crops.

November is also World Red Wine Day, making it an excellent opportunity to visit and taste the wines from the latest harvest in Rioja. Furthermore, thanks to UNESCO, the 15th will be World Book and Copyright Day. The 16th is Flamenco Day as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the 30th is the Day of the Historic Palm Grove of Elche, a World Heritage Site. It marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Its objective is to establish peace through international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information. And travelers and the industry are grateful for its role in the development of tourism!

On November 21st and 22nd, 1996, the first World Television Forum was held during the United Nations General Assembly, hence the 21st is Television Day. In Barcelona in 1932, some European signals were received for the first time in Spain with a device purchased in England, and in 1934 with one built by a Spaniard. The first television broadcast in Spain was a demonstration given to Franco by the German company Telefunken in 1938 in the city of Burgos, two years after the first regular public broadcast by the BBC. However, 10 years passed before a second demonstration of television was given by Philips Ibérica, this time publicly and again in Barcelona. From that date until 1956, when Spanish Television officially launched, several temporary broadcasts were seen. In the Basque Country, the first Spanish television broadcasts were seen in 1960. And the first official broadcast by the Basque television company ETB took place on December 31, 1982.

85 years separate us from the fatal accident of the illustrious Bilbao painter Aurelio Arteta on a tram during his exile in Mexico. He founded, along with others, the “Association of Basque Artists.” He won the National Painting Prize in 1930. For many experts, he is the best representative of the “Basque school of painting.” I suggest you see his works at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. I particularly like his paintings: War Triptych, The Accordionist, Basque Fishermen, and Burceña Bridge.

In the year 2025, the month of November reminds us of several important dates that link the Basque Country with the present-day United States. In 1770, 225 years ago, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, Luis Unzaga, promoted a Code to reform the administration of justice, which has served as a pioneering legal reference for the future state. During his term, he liberalized trade, incentivized the economy, created the world’s first bilingual school (Spanish-French), and was the first to mention the “United States of America,” among other things. Unzaga, along with his Bilbao relative Diego Gardoqui, were among the first to support the rebels of the Thirteen Colonies seeking independence from the United Kingdom. Coincidentally, this November also marks the 290th anniversary of Gardoqui’s birth, who became Spain’s first ambassador to the United States.

On November 3rd, 1325, the Lady of Biscay, Doña María López de Haro, granted the founding charter to the town of Lekeitio. She signed a charter 700 years ago for this coastal town to develop through trade and maritime-related activities, such as fishing, transportation, and shipbuilding. We also celebrate that by 1520 (505 years ago), the Basque maritime fleet was already a world power, successfully entering and exiting the strait that would later take its name with Magellan. The voyage ended up being the first to circumnavigate the world thanks to the maritime expertise of Basque captain Juan Sebastian Elcano.

By the way, on November 7th, 2025, a replica of a Basque whaler that sank in a storm off Canada in the 16th century will be launched into the sea. Based on the plans obtained from the archaeological find, the ship “San Juan” is being built at the Albaola factory in Pasajes using the techniques used at that time. It is planned that in 2027 it will travel the same sea route as the original ship, also following the techniques of yesteryear. Last month, a local competition was held, and the chef who will embark on this voyage was selected to cook using 16th-century maritime techniques. Keep in mind that we Basques are expert sailors as well as excellent culinary connoisseurs.

I’ll be waiting for you in 2026 to see the completion of the replica of the ship “San Juan” during its stay in port, or on its departure for America in 2027. I won’t miss the opportunity to see its launch in November 2025 and enjoy the other activities that Basque culture has to offer. Come to the Basque Country and complete your trip with the exclusive, tailor-made tours you create with Aitor Delgado Tours!

Basque culture activities in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alava in October 2025

  • 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 November 10th.
  • “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.
  • “50 Years of the International Theater Festival” Exhibition. Tour of the posters that have distinguished it over the years. Ibaiondo Civic Center Exhibition Hall. From October 1st to December 15th.
  • World Press Photo 25. Striking winning photographs from the world’s leading photojournalism competition. Montehermoso Cultural Center (Water Reservoir). October 16th –November 16th.
  • Joel Sarakula. The European-based Australian writes, produces, and sings, looking at the contemporary world through vintage glasses. 9th Midnight Boogie Weekend. Soul music festival. Caja Vital Foundation, Room A. November 5th.
  • More D Ana. 2025 Tour. The famous Spanish singer Ana Belén in concert. Hits & some songs from her new album, “I Come with New Eyes”. Buesa Arena. November 9th.
  • ‘Between Dreams and Literary Shadows’. 2025-2026 Season: The Art of Dreaming. Concert by the Municipal Band. Europa Conference Center. November 19th.
  • Libe. Libe Kortazar is a Basque singer-songwriter who has released three albums. Klaustro Sounds program. Montehermoso Cultural Center. November 23th.
  • Concert: “Urdina” by Geraldine Ramírez & Ricardo Urrutia. Sea and sky. Intense and serene. This encounter between two musicians, bound by a deep love of bossa nova, Lakua Civic Center Library. November 26th.
  • “Sorginen istorioa” (The Story of the Witches) Concert. An educational musical concert that tells us why women were called witches through different musical styles. Aldabe Civic Center Library. November 28th.
  • Black Guayaberas Concert. Rocky Road Disco. 9th Midnight Boogie Weekend. Soul Music Festival. Caja Vital Foundation, Room A. November 28th.

Basque culture events in Bilbao and Biscay in November 2025

  • 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.
  • 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 October 8th, 2025 to March 1st, 2026.
  • “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 to February 22nd, 2026.
  • 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.
  • Tribute to Maurice Ravel. Verses & Organ Improvisations concert. Euskalduna Palace – Auditorium. November 2nd.
  • Raphaelísimo. Tour 2025. The magic of singer Raphael at its finest. Euskalduna – Auditorium. November 2nd.
  • Ilker Arcayürek and Malcolm Martineau: Schumann, poet and novelist. Musical evening, for tenor and piano, dedicated to the lieder repertoire of Clara and Robert Schumann. Arriaga Theater. November 4th.
  • Harry on Ice. Magical ice show featuring Cirque du Soleil stars. Physical theater and circus, comedy, and magic. Champs-Élysées Theatre. November 19th.
  • Adriana Lecouvreur. Cilea’s best-known opera. ABAO Bilbao Opera and Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Euskalduna Palace. November 22nd, 25th, 28th, and December 1st.
  • DD40 Mikel Erentxun. Duncan Dhu Tours 2025. Famous Basque singer and musician, he sings in Spanish. Arriaga Theatre. November 30th.

 Basque culture proposals in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa in November 2025

  • 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.
  • Eu-topías, Ou-topías – Good Places Nowhere. Main exhibition of the 5th International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi – Mugak. Basque Country Institute of Architecture. From October 9th to February 22nd, 2026.
  • 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 January 31st, 2026
  • 56th 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.
  • San Sebastian Fantasy and Horror Film Week. Short and feature films. Also on offer: exhibitions, series, children’s activities… Teatro Principal, Teatro Victoria Eugenia, and Kursaal. From October 31st to November 7th.
  • Naval launch of the Nao San Juan. Replica of a 16th-century Basque whaler sunk in 1565 in Canada, built using period methods. Basque Maritime Factory of the Albaola Museum. Port of Pasaia. November 7th.
  • States of Being. Curated and performed by saxophonist Don-Paul Kahl. Joy, pain, and introspection through contemporary works, many of them from the Basque Country. At the San Telmo Museum Church. November 8th.
  • Morricone and the 100th Anniversary of Cinema. Tribute concert by the Royal Film Concert Orchestra. Fernando Furones, conductor. Kursaal Auditorium. November 16th.
  • “The Fairy Queen” by Purcell. Live dance and music performance. Les Arts Florisssants – Compagnie Käfig. Kursaal Auditorium. November 19th.

Whether by boat, plane, car, or on foot, don’t miss your date with Basque culture in November 2025 or any other month. This is a leisure agenda for lovers of art, culture, and cultural traditions, as well as tailor-made trips. Contact Aitor Delgado Tours!

Welcome to MEET BASQUE COUNTRY 2025, organized by Basquetour, from November 10th to 14th!

October 17, 2025