If you’ve decided to visit the capital of Biscay this weekend (February 3-5), you are in luck! There are going to be lots of events in Bilbao over the next couple of days. Among them, the San Blas and Santa Agueda festivals (and fairs). Keep reading to find out more.
Events in Bilbao from 3rd to 5th of February 2023
Are you going to be in the Biscay capital this weekend? Well, you won’t be short of things to see in Bilbao before or after visiting the San Mames stadium and the Athletic Club shop to get gifts for your loved ones.
February 3rd is the day of San Blas (Saint Blaise), one of the most special occasions for everyone in Bilbao and Biscay. The traditional pilgrimage of San Blas is held in honour of the Christian martyr who is said to have worked the miracle of curing sore throats.
Numerous stalls are set up in the Plaza del Arenal where you can buy ‘rosquillas’, traditional and delicious savoury doughnuts, as well San Blas coloured string necklaces.
After buying the necklace people normally go to the Church of San Nicolás, located in the same square to bless it they have bought in front of an image of the saint. Tradition says that the string must be placed around the neck and not removed for nine days, following which it must be burnt.
If the process is carried out correctly, San Blas will protect the wearer’s throat for the whole year.
Santa Agueda
Among other events in Bilbao this weekend (February 3-5), the feast day of Santa Agueda (Saint Agatha) on 5 February also stands out.
The custom is that on 4 February, different choirs and groups sing through the streets beating the ground with a makila (stick) to accompany the beat.
In Bilbao, this tradition is very strong in Casco Viejo, with groups of children and adults dedicating verses to the saint while asking for alms to be donated to social causes.
Museums Of course, you cannot come to the capital of Biscay without visiting the wide range of museums we have in Bilbao, such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Reproductions Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Basque Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Museum… and the Athletic Club Museum, also one of the most important museums in Bilbao.
AC Museum offers a unique experience to learn about Athletic Club’s history in a different way. You can discover more than a century of football through collections and exhibitions from all eras, as well as audio-visual displays and interactive games. The museum brings together more than 1,000 original objects and 900 videos that will help you understand the essence of Los Leones.
You can also feel like a footballer for a day with our renowned San Mames Tour (included with your AC Museum ticket), visiting the most exclusive areas of the stadium: the players’ changing room, the press room and the presidential box. You can also step foot on the San Mames pitch in an experience you will never forget.
Concerts and plays
Every weekend in Bilbao there are always plenty of concerts and theatrical performances across different venues. On the music side, Eva Martín, a young singer-songwriter from Portugalete, will be performing at Cotton Club on Saturday 4th.
Also on Saturday 4th, Shinova, one of the most successful bands to emerge from Bilbao in recent years, will play at Sala Santana 27. Meanwhile, on February 3rd at Kafe Antzokia, one of the Biscay capitals temples of rock, Kevin Johansen will be putting on a gig, and on Saturday, the duo formed by Despistaos and local artist Merino will also perform.
It’s also a weekend in which you’ll have a magnificent opportunity to visit the Arriaga Theatre, a building of great beauty. On Friday 3rd, the Arriaga will host a concert by Sandra Carrasco, where the artist will show her love for boleros and tango. On Saturday and Sunday you can watch the play Lectura fácil (Easy Reading), a theatrical adaptation of Cristina Morales’ novel of the same name, a text which won the National Storytelling Award and is now in its 12th edition.
Last but not least, on the 4th, the Teatro Campos will stage shows by Ignatius Farray and Pedro Ruíz. A day later, Macaco will present his new album.
