VIERNES LLENO DE ACTIVIDADES EN BILBAO BASQUE FEST

Today, Friday, Bilbao once again becomes a great open stage to celebrate the Basque cultural richness through a full day of activities included in the Bilbao Basque Fest 2025 program. From 11:30 a.m. until midnight, the city will offer proposals for all audiences that combine tradition and modernity, gastronomy, rural sports, music, theater, and unique experiences, as part of the festival organized by the Bilbao City Council during Easter.

The day will start at Arenal with an invitation to the palate. The Txoko Gourmet will also open its doors today in the morning and afternoon (from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) to host express tastings and cooking workshops, allowing those who come to discover and savor the best of our cuisine. The capacity is limited, so it is necessary to register in person, paying a symbolic donation of 2 euros in cash, with the aim of raising funds for the AmiArte association.

In the express tastings, the day this Friday will start at 12:00 p.m. in room 1 with a tasting of Txorizo de Urigoiti, a product from the Gorbeialdea region. At 12:10 p.m., room 2 will host the tasting of Sheep cheese from Iparraldea. At 1:00 p.m., the spotlight will be on room 1 with the Pimiento de Espeleta, also from Iparraldea, while at 1:10 p.m. in room 2, you can taste the Txakoli de Lezama, from the Uribe region. At 2:00 p.m., room 1 will offer a wine tasting by Araico (Rioja Alavesa), followed at 2:10 p.m. in room 2 by a delicious Tasting of Gildas, also from Uribe. In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., room 1 will host an interesting Tasting of honeys from different blooms from Tolosaldea, while at 5:10 p.m., in room 2, it will be the turn of the Artisan ice creams from Maruri-Jatabe, from Uribe. The day will end with two proposals: at 6:00 p.m., room 1 will present the sauces of Cervus from Gorbeialdea, and at 6:10 p.m., room 2 will offer a tasting of olive oil by Erroiz, from Rioja Alavesa.

Regarding the cooking workshops this Friday, April 18, at 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., a delicious proposal will be offered consisting of a tosta de bonito with antxoa marinada and piperrada, a tasty combination that represents the essence of Basque cuisine. In the afternoon, at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., it will be the turn of a classic: the pimiento del piquillo relleno de bonito, a recipe that combines flavor, tradition, and local produce.

PLANS FOR ALL TASTES

Very close to the ‘Txoko Gourmet,’ where the tastings and workshops will take place today, at the Muelle del Arenal, the most authentic Basque culture will take center stage with activities, exhibitions, and competitions of herri kirolak starting at 11:30 a.m. Throughout the day, you can enjoy a challenge of top-level aizkolaris, with vertical cutting, hitting, and speed tests, as well as shows of traditional games from Iparralde such as lifting and throwing bundles. In the afternoon, starting at 4:30 p.m., strength and participation will be the protagonists with mixed tronza challenges (two couples) and exciting sokatira tests, both with three pairs of world champions who will give an exhibition, as well as with the audience itself, in a challenge between the audience and the pullers.

In the theatrical river walks on board Bilboats, actresses Begotxu and Maitane will once again guide fun trips along the river, from the Pío Baroja pier to the Carola crane. Lasting half an hour and designed for ages 12 and up, these tours can be enjoyed at 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. Tickets, costing 3 euros due to limited capacity, are available at www.bilboats.com from 12:00 a.m. the day before.

The Frontón de la Esperanza, as a novelty in this edition, will once again host workshops and demonstrations of Basque pelota (at 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.), while in the Old Town, a very special theatrical tour will take place by Hortzmuga Teatroa, inviting attendees to rediscover the history of Bilbao by walking through its most emblematic corners, from the San Antón church to Plaza Nueva and the Arenal pier between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Theater and humor will also have their moment in the spotlight today, Friday: at 6:00 p.m., at the Ensanche building, the family audience can enjoy the play Historias de un baúl by Cía Trotamundo. At 8:00 p.m., the popular actress Gurutze Beitia will take the stage at Bilborock with her humor show Yo y mis circunstancias, recommended for ages 16 and up and with limited capacity. In addition, at 7:00 p.m., the Plaza del Gas will come alive with the traditional Dantza Plaza, by the group Gaztedi.

MORE MUSIC EVERYWHERE   

Music will be very present throughout the day with various stages scattered around the city, framed in Kaia On Set: at Martzana16 there will be a session by the DJ Estrella Electrónica from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and in the evening: at Medikopa from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. there will be a DJ session, a concert by Los Castos from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dando la Brasa and from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Peso Neto.

The nighttime program on Friday at Basque Fest 2025 promises strong emotions and a vibrant soundtrack that will traverse various corners of the city. Three iconic spaces will host very different but equally powerful musical proposals, in a night that combines avant-garde and roots.

Starting at 8:30 p.m., the Kiosko del Arenal will be filled with enveloping sounds and stage presence with “Koklea”, the latest show by the group OrekaTX, a proposal that blends traditional Basque music with contemporary elements in a unique sensory experience. The concert will last until 10:00 p.m., creating a magical atmosphere by the River. At 9:00 p.m., Azkena Bilbao will host the concert by ON Taldea, as part of the Basque Rock series, delighting rock lovers with a Basque identity. The night will culminate at Kafe Antzokia, where starting at 10:00 p.m., the Basque Fest Rock City will offer a double session of pure energy with live performances by The Inciters and The Cherry Boppers.

Bilbao Basque Fest 2025 thus proposes a Friday to feel, savor, and experience the soul of the festival in all its corners. An appointment that, beyond the cultural celebration, becomes a meeting point for all generations, participatory, and open to citizens and visitors.

Access the full Bilbao Basque Fest 2025 program

SOCIAL MEDIA: