Semana Grande in Bilbao — a colorful festival of the Basque Country

Semana Grande de Bilbao (Basque: Bilboko Aste Nagusia) is the main festival of the city of Bilbao in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. It is held annually at the end of August. This event is a great way to get acquainted with the unique culture and traditions of the unusual Basque Country and have fun.

History of the festival Big Week in Bilbao

Semana Grande is a young festival compared to the April Fair in Seville or La Fiesta de los Patios in Cordoba. Its history began in 1978 when a competition was organized for the idea of ​​a new city event. The main condition was to create a large event that would acquire significance for the city’s residents. That year, the Big Week coincided with a visit from a traveling circus, bullfights, boxing matches, and dance performances.

The competition was organized by the department store El Corte Inglés and founded by the Bilbao City Council and citizens’ groups (comparsas) under the auspices of the Bilboko Konpartsak Federation. The winning entry was the project by the festival group Txomin Barullo.

In 1980, the City Council tried to hold the festival on its own. However, groups of Bilbao residents boycotted it and the following year the original model was restored.

Since then, the festival has been held every year, except for three years. In 1983, Aste Nagusia was suspended due to severe flooding. And in 2020 and 2021, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2009, the Great Week was declared one of the Intangible Cultural Assets of Spain.

When is Aste Nagusia in Bilbao

Aste Nagusia begins on the first Saturday after August 15, the Christian feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The festivities last for 9 days.

In 2024, the Big Week will be held from August 17 to 25.

Program and attributes of Semana Grande in Bilbao

The festival begins when the chupinera (or txupinera), standing on the balcony of the Arriaga Opera House, launches the txupinazo rocket. This honor goes to one of the women from the festival troupe, who is chosen by the comparsas. The only condition is that the draw does not include troupes from which women were chupineras in previous years. During the ceremony on the balcony, the lady is accompanied by a herald, the pregonero, who reads the festival proclamation. This person is a famous person from Bilbao itself or associated with this city.

The txupinera has special attributes — a pendant for the rocket, the botafuego, and a cane, the makila. She also traditionally wears a costume consisting of:

• a red jacket with shoulder pads, a stand-up collar, epaulets and two rows of gold buttons;
• a black wool pencil skirt;
• a red beret with the Bilbao coat of arms;
• black shoes.

After the rocket is launched, the symbol of the festival, Marijaia, comes out onto the balcony. This is a giant doll in the form of a curvy woman in bright clothes, holding her arms high. On the last day of the Great Week, this figure is ceremoniously burned in the square in front of the theater.

The Semana Grande program also includes:

• The Villa de Bilbao fireworks competition, which is held every evening.
• Concerts of modern and traditional music.
• Basque folk dances.
• Unique competitions in chopping wood and carrying stones.
• Parades of giant dolls.
• A slide for children in the form of the giant Gargantua, who “swallows” children in his mouth.
• Bullfights in the city square. They involve calves with special protection on their horns.
• Txosnas tents with food and drinks occupy the El Arenal fairground. They are set up by comparsas groups.

How to get to the festival in Bilbao

Bilbao has an airport of the same name (Aeropuerto de Bilbao) — the largest in the Basque Country. It receives flights from many major cities in Spain.

You can also get to the city by bus and train.

What else to see in Bilbao

The main attraction of Bilbao is the unusual Guggenheim Museum. Also worth seeing are the Museum of Fine Arts, the Campo Volantín and Vizcaya Bridges, Bilbao Cathedral, the Euskalduna Congress and Music Palace, the Doña Casilda de Iturrizar Park, and the Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Centre.

Where to stay in Bilbao

Bilbao has many accommodation options. We have compiled a list of hotels of different categories where you can comfortably stay during the Big Week:

• Hotel Carlton (5 stars). A luxury hotel in the center of Bilbao. It has 6 floors and 140 rooms. On-site there is the Artagan restaurant, the El Grill and El Bunker bars, and an outdoor terrace overlooking Plaza Moyúa.
• Meliá Bilbao (5 stars). Another designer luxury hotel located near the Guggenheim Museum. Its rooms have great views. The hotel is pet-friendly. The Basque restaurant Aizian, the Mediterranean restaurant Quatre, and the Q Lounge bar are open to visitors. Guests can also work out in the heated swimming pool and gym.
• NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels (4 stars). A stylish hotel, the interior of which is decorated with works of modern art. Breakfast is served buffet style in the buffet, and in the evening you can have a cocktail in the bar. Twice a week there are DJ sets. Like the previous hotel, NYX Hotel is happy to welcome guests with pets.
• Petit Palace Arana (3 stars). A small boutique hotel located in a historical building. It has all the conditions for a comfortable stay. Any guest can get a free bicycle here to explore the surroundings of Bilbao.
• Sercotel Arenal Bilbao (3 stars). A hotel near the train station. It consists of only 36 rooms. Breakfast is served here as a buffet. Pets are accepted for check-in without any problems.

Bilbao on the map

Frequently asked questions about the Big Week in Bilbao

When is Semana Grande in Bilbao?

The Big Week in 2024 is held from 17 to 25 August.

Where is Semana Grande in Bilbao?

The festival begins and ends near the Arriaga Theatre. Entertainment events are held in the city center.

How many days does Big Week last?

The festival lasts for nine days.

What is Big Week called in Basque?

In Basque, the festival is called Aste Nagusia.

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