Basque culture is in full bloom in June 2025. And it offers us a wide range of events covering all the fine arts.

The Basques, and especially the people of Bilbao, are celebrating the 725th anniversary of the founding of Bilbao. On June 15th, 1300, Don Diego López de Haro V, Lord of Biscay, signed the city’s founding charter in Valladolid. A new era began in which trade, especially maritime trade involving wool and iron, would be one of its main economic pillars of development. 211 years later, also in June, the ordinances of the “Consulate of Bilbao, House of Trade and Court of Businessmen of Sea and Land” were approved by Juana I, Queen of Castile. The commitment to maritime trade and other areas of development, such as industry and tourism, make Bilbao one of the most vibrant cities in northern Spain and Europe. María Díaz de Haro, the new Lady of Biscay in 1309, refounded Bilbao in June 1310 (715 years in 2025) and prioritized the access to the sea for goods through Bilbao, which also led to its assumption of the provincial capital status at the expense of Bermeo. Furthermore, the same lady granted Portugalete a town charter in June 1322, and in 1325 (700 years in November 3rd, 2025) she granted the coastal town of Lekeitio its charter. Bilbao, Bermeo, Portugalete, and Lekeitio, along with other Basque towns, would be decisive in the role of the Basques in trade, shipbuilding, maritime voyages, and discoveries.

Andrés de Urdaneta, a disciple of Juan Sebastián Elcano, would be one of these universal Basques associated with the religious and maritime world. On June 1st, 1565, 460 years ago, the navigator Urdaneta set sail from Cebu (Philippine Islands) and, for the first time, made the return voyage across the Pacific to Acapulco (arriving on October 1). A feat that had been unsuccessfully attempted on several occasions. Three years after that feat, he died at the age of 60, on June 3rd. Another Basque, Don Miguel López de Legazpi, founded the city of Manila, in the Philippines, on June 24th, 1571.

The French composer Georges Bizet also died of a heart attack on June 3rd, but only 150 years ago. He never experienced the popularity of the opera Carmen, as its world premiere in Paris was a failure. This work began to gain fame in October of that same year, 1875, when it premiered in Vienna. The hugely popular aria “Habanera” from the first act has among its most recognizable notes those created by the Basque musician Sebastián Iradier. And before his death, Bizet acknowledged this.

Worldwide, in June 2025, we will commemorate the 2,805th anniversary of the first recording of a solar eclipse in China. It will also be 1,790 years since the first measurement of the Earth’s circumference. It will also be 1,500 years since slavery was banned in Spain (although its ineffectiveness has been proven). It will also be 400 years since the capture of Breda by the Spanish army. It will also be 140 years since the arrival of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Finally, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Gay Marriage Act in Spain and the 56th anniversary of the beginning of the gay liberation movement at Stonewall.

This June 2025, the main events offered by Basque culture encompass the seven universal fine arts: architecture, painting, sculpture, music, literature, dance, and photography (film). Many of these fine arts are featured in the exclusive, personalized tours I design with you, including the exquisite arts of gastronomy and fashion. Come enjoy them with me!

Basque culture activities in Bilbao and Biscay in June 2025

  • 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 Greco to Zuloaga: Masterpieces of Spanish Art. 30 paintings and two representative sculptures. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. From April 1st to September 25th.
  • Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without rules. New ways of abstraction from the 1950s to the first decade of the 21st century. Organized by the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi (Florence) and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation (New York). Guggenheim Museum. From April 11th to September 28th.
  • Getxophoto. Getxo Photography Festival in unconventional formats, media, and spaces. Photography as a tool for knowledge, communication, and art. From May 29th to June 22nd.
  • 55th Bilbao Book Fair. Bilboko Liburu Azoka. Arenal de Bilbao. Extensive program and many exhibitors. From May 30th to June 8th.
  • Tony Ann in concert. Virtuosity as a pianist and interpreter, and authentic phenomenon in social networks. Arriaga Theater June 5th.
  • Garena. Dancing is saying something that cannot be described with words. Olaeta Ballet Association, Oldarra Ballet, Salleko Dance Group, Igor Yebra Dance and Choreography School, Zirzera Voice Group. Arriaga Teatro. June 8th.
  • Quintet Astor Piazzolla in concert. International tour 2024/2025. Operation Tango, best tango album at the Grammys 2023. Tribute to the great Argentine maestro. Arriaga Theater June 12th.
  • Núria Rial (soprano) and Rubén Fdez. Aguirre (pianist) in concert. Exquisite selection of French “melodies” by Spanish composers. Arriaga Theater June 18th.
  • Missa Solemnis in Re Major, Op.I23, by Beethoven. Referent in symphonic music. The Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, the Bilbao Choral Society and the Orfeón Pamplonés. Arriaga Theater. June 21st.
  • 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.

Basque culture events in San Sebastian and Gipuzkoa

  • “Mare Clausum: Whose is the sea?“. Collection of historical pieces, from weapons and banners of naval battles to maps and exotic objects. Basque Maritime Museum From July 5th, 2024 to November 2nd, 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.
  • Basterretxea and cement – “Urbidea”. Centenary of the birth of Néstor Basterretxea (1924-2014). Works with cement: the Urbidea sculpture group, the “Tribute to Benito Barrueta” in Bermeo and the base of “Vizcaya, an Iron Wave” in Bizkaia. Rezola Cement Museum. From May 15th to December 27th.
  • Elena Sancho and Teodora Oprisor. Soprano and pianist. Works by J. Offenbach, F. Poulenc, C. Debussy, A. López Portillo and C. Sagarzazu. Victoria Eugenia Theater. June 3rd.
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 7, ‘Song of the Night’. A metaphysical journey from night to day and a symphony of nature. Closure of the 24/25 season of the Basque Orchestra. Alexandre Bloch, director. Kursaal Auditorium. June 5th.
  • Dancing…all those things within things we call hidden things. Director & choreographer: Jesús Rubio Gamo. Victoria Eugenia Theater. June 7th.
  • International Symposium on Bilingualism (ISB). Biennial conference on research in education, linguistics, neuroscience, psychology and the sociology of bi/multilingualism. Kursaal Auditorium From June 9th to 13th.
  • Sweet whistling sound, how?. Recovery and renewal of the repertoire of drummers. Municipal Band of Whistlers of San Sebastián. San Telmo Museum. June 13th.
  • Zarauzko Triatloia. Zarautz Triathlon, the oldest national triathlon. More than fifty participants. Departure from Getaria. 2.8 km swimming, 80 km cycling circuit, and 20 km running. June 14th.
  • The Phantom of the Opera. The most successful musical in history. LetsGo Company. Kursaal Auditorium. From June 26th to 29th.

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

  • A story of Judith and Holofernes. Exhibition of Peeter Sion (Antwerp, Belgium, 1624 – 1695), Flemish Baroque painter. Museum of Fine Arts of Alava. From February 20th to September 14th.
  • Exhibition of Inés Medina (Cáceres, 1950). Analytical plastic research by the artist in the USA and the Basque Country. ARTIUM – Museum of Contemporary Art of the Basque Country. From February 28th to June 1st.
  • 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.
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 7, ‘Song of the Night’. A metaphysical journey from night to day and a symphony of nature. Closure of the 24/25 season of the Basque Orchestra. Alexandre Bloch, director. Jesús Guridi Conservatory. June 2th.
  • Of loving and retracing. Concert featuring Basque singer Idoia Asurmendi’s second album. Félix Petite Theater (Ibaiondo Civic Center). June 7th.
  • OTSO VI Half Gasteiz. Medium-distance triathlon in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Álava. Sport, gastronomy, nature, landscapes, and Basque culture. June 7th.
  • KaldeArte. 19th International Street Arts Exhibition. Inclusive performances in the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz. From June 13th to 15th.
  • 23rd Azkena Rock Festival (ARF). One of Spain’s most important festivals. Specializing in underground music. Featuring performances by Dinosaur Jr, John Fogerty, Manic Street Preachers, and many other bands. From June 19th to 21st.
  • Johann Sebastian Jazz. Music by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) and improvisations. Piano duo created in 2011 by Iñaki Salvador and Alexis Delgado. Félix Petite Theater (Ibaiondo Civic Center). June 20th.
  • My Life in Art. “A performance in which the center and the periphery, the motivation and the justification, the starting point and the final goal are only verses, verses, verses, and more verses,” according to actor Rafael Álvarez, “El Brujo.” Félix Petite Theater (Ibaiondo Civic Center). June 21st.
  • Around the Table. Sustainable Food and Wine Event. Gourmet products, exquisite wines, and delicious Basque delicacies. Samaniego Town. June 21st and 22nd.

Put Basque culture on your travel agenda for June 2025! And complement your stay with Aitor Delgado Tours, the best luxury tour guide in the Basque Country. Contact me in writing or give me a call!

April 11, 2025