10 Getxo events not to be missed.

Get to know the most popular events in Getxo and enjoy the most important international events on the Biscayan coast.

The Getxo events we are referring to, attract thousands of people to our land throughout the year. And it is not surprising, the great quality and variety with which they surprise us edition after edition, make people from all over the world feel attracted by some of the events that we present today. Gastronomy, music or sport are an important part of the calendar of events in Getxo. Exciting and intense events, which have managed to sneak among the most important events in the Basque Country. For all those people who do not know the beautiful town where these events take place, Getxo is an attractive town located between cliffs, on the coast of Bizkaia, less than 15 minutes from the center of Bilbao. Its location, together with its impressive natural, historical and cultural wealth, is one of the most important attractions of the municipality. The coast, represented by its wild beaches and cliffs, is considered by many as one of the most important and attractive areas of the town. However, it is not the only place of interest, the interior, faithful guardian of some of the most ancestral customs of the Basque people, also houses areas of great beauty. Farms and farmhouses still survive and coexist with the new cities. And it is here, in diversity, where much of the richness of Getxo lies. Undoubtedly, one of the most complete towns in Bizkaia. We recommend taking advantage of these getaways to Getxo to enjoy everything that the town has to offer. We encourage you to visit emblematic places such as the Bizkaia Bridge (World Heritage Site by Unesco), the Old Port of Algorta (old fishing port), the Aixerrota Mill (one of the few windmills in Bizkaia that is still standing; most of them ended up ruined and disappeared) or the Galleries of Punta Begoña (a unique building of the twentieth century). All of them, spaces worth visiting. As if that were not enough, the tourist office of Getxo has listed more than 77 plans to enjoy its streets, squares, beaches and cliffs. It is not possible to get bored in Getxo. Lots of places to see and experiences to live. Are you in?

The different neighborhoods into which the municipality is divided (Areeta-Las Arenas, Romo, Neguri, Algorta and Andra Mari) give us a great diversity of spaces to contemplate. Places of marked personality, among which we find the aforementioned old fishing port or the historic residential neighborhoods of the industrial bourgeoisie. In diversity lies the cultural, architectural and historical richness of this municipality. We recommend walking through each of them, or, at least, to know the large green spaces of Andra Mari, the noble villas of Neguri or Areeta-Las Arenas and walk the steep streets of the old port of Algorta, the contrast of these areas is really striking. We love Andra Mari, perhaps one of the least known areas of Getxo, and you, which one do you like the most? As far as mobility is concerned, this is one of the towns with the best communications in the area. The 6 metro stations in the town (Bidezabal, Algorta, Aiboa, Neguri, Gobela and Areeta), together with the many regular bus lines that run through it, offer a wide range of connections to all visitors. As if this were not enough, the Bizkaia Bridge and the different boats that cross the Bilbao estuary extend this offer, inviting us to visit the left bank or to go up the estuary in search of the origins of that industrial Bilbao that has almost disappeared today. On the other hand, the different elevators and escalators distributed by the more than 8 kilometers of extension of which the municipality has, make Getxo an ideal destination for all kinds of people. To all the previous transports, we must add the Boat, the Boat Tours, the Taxi Tour and the public bicycle lending system (GetxoBizi, 2€ / day). 4 perfect transports to get to know this great urban center. A perfect holiday destination for families, sportsmen or nature lovers among others.

The events that we present today merge together to immerse the town in a constant festive atmosphere. Some acts, which serve as a showcase for the whole world to see the importance that history, culture or sport have for getxotarras. A noble and humble town, which plays host to some of the most important events of its category at international level. Do you want to know what they are? Pay attention because they are not to be missed.

San Miguel Music&Food.

Along with the first rays of sunshine in June, this festival invites us to enjoy the arrival of summer in an unmistakable setting, the Old Port of Algorta. Located next to the beach of Ereaga, this old fishing district, provides this festival with a most picturesque setting. An added value, that, together with the local gastronomy, the breaking of the waves and the good music, offers us a movie plan. Thanks to the more than 4 editions of San Miguel Music & Food, this event has become a must for lovers of good music. More than 10 bands, more than 13 hours of music, the great gastronomic variety and the cold beers offered by the loyal partner of this event, San Miguel, make many people come to Getxo to enjoy a nice day of music.

The small, charming and picturesque Old Port of Algorta, joins this event providing a luxurious setting. A very busy space for the getxotarras and we are sure that you will love. The contest, counts on the indispensable support of the City council of Getxo, an entity, that supports this event with the objective to make known the great musical and gastronomic culture with which it counts its municipality. A great plan for the first days of June. Do you want to join us?

Getxo Festivities.

The different popular festivals held in the town, are one of the most anticipated events of the year by the people of Bizkaia. And it is not for less. Some of the festivals that we present in this section, have become an unmissable event for those who live near this coastal town. Because each neighborhood has its own festivals and events, Getxo hosts more than 5 events of this type throughout the year. Among all of them, the most important are: the festivities of San Ignacio in Algorta (July), paellas of Aixerrota (July), festivities of the Old Port of Algorta (August), San Lorenzo Market (August), festivities of Romo (August) and the festivities of Areeta (September).

The great atmosphere that is lived during these days, makes the visit to this town even more special. We recommend that you consult the agenda of the municipality during your visit, we are sure that the atmosphere that is lived during these festivities will call your attention. By the way, did you know that the invention of the term Kalimotxo is attributed to the “Antzarrak” gang of Getxo? Interesting, isn’t it?

International Jazz Festival.

Getxo continues adding editions to its popular International Jazz Festival, and now there are more than 43. The Getxo International Jazz Festival, popularly known as Getxo Jazz, is an event of great relevance at the state level. A great initiative that attracts jazz lovers from all over the world to this town. Thanks to Getxo Jazz, many jazz groups and singers have had the opportunity to delight us with their creations. Artists from more than 20 countries, who have contributed in a special way to the promotion of this event. The dynamics of the festival, divides the concerts in 2 categories, paying and free. Most of the free open-air concerts take place in the Plaza Estación in Algorta, while the paying performances will take place in Muxikebarri, the center of Arts, Culture and Congresses of Getxo, the former Getxo Antzokia.

Tickets for the different events of this festival can be obtained both in the Kutxabank ATM network, as well as in the different cultural classrooms of Getxo. In addition, thanks to the latest initiative of Getxo Jazz, the Band Contest, young talents from Europe will have the opportunity to present their music to the audience. Currently, more than 60 bands from 16 different countries have applied. Of all of them, the finalists will opt for a cash prize and the chance to record a live album. A great opportunity for all those bands that are trying to make the leap to the professional world.

J80 World Championship.

The most important J/80 sailing competition, the world championship of the category, will take place in Getxo between the 13th and 20th of July. A highly prestigious event, which, with the Gulf of Biscay as a backdrop and the Real Club Marítimo del Abra – Real Sporting Club (RCMA-RSC) as the main responsible, presents an unprecedented event in the more than 120 years of history of the Club getxotarra. During these days, more than 100 boats and 500 sailors will take part in this exciting competition on the Basque coast. The importance that the sea has for the Getxotarras is evident with the organization of this event. A nice recognition to the more than 100 years in which the club has worked for the promotion and recognition of this sport by organizing regattas for cruising, J80 and dinghy sailing.

The incredible location of the Real Club Marítimo del Abra – Real Sporting Club (RCMA-RSC), located less than 30 minutes from the airport of Bilbao and less than 15 minutes walk from the cruise port of Bilbao, has contributed to the award of the organization of this World Cup to the aforementioned club. A historic milestone for Getxo, which will undoubtedly have the full support of the municipality. We hope that the incredible race course of the Abra will show our visitors that character so marked to which we are so accustomed. Good wind and good sea!

Blues Festival.

Afro-American music returns to Getxo thanks to this international event. A festival that has been livening up the streets, squares and locals of the municipality with a wide variety of rhythms for more than 30 years. Intense days of Blues, in which we try to familiarize the general public with the typical attractions of this musical genre.

The different outdoor concerts animate Getxo with its emblematic rhythms, creating a great atmosphere. A unique opportunity to enjoy both international artists and the new promises of the Blues. Summer nights enlivened with good music. Highly recommended.

GetxoPhoto.

The Getxo International Image Festival, better known as Getxophoto, was born in 2007 as an event specialized in image. An alternative festival, which values the use of public spaces as canvases. In short, the defense of the use of public places as spaces where to express oneself using the image. An example of this are the containers or buildings used during some of its past editions. A project, to which we offer our full support, after contemplating the success that projects of similar characteristics have had in the Basque Country. As an example of this we should mention the route of murals in Vitoria – Gasteiz, a project that has contributed with great success to revitalize the city and narrate its own history.

Organized by the Begihandi collective and curated by Monica Allende, GetxoPhoto involves local businesses and citizens in a large exhibition accompanied by activities for all audiences. The fact of having more than 20 world-renowned authors during the various conferences and screenings, attracts a large number of people to Getxo during the month of September. The exhibitions and activities on the program, draw different routes throughout Getxo. Paths, which takes us to know the town in a very dynamic and entertaining way starting at Amezti Street and letting the visitor choose the way to go.

International Folk Festival.

Folk and Getxo maintain a love affair that has been going on for more than 35 years. Almost nothing. The Plaza Estación de Las Arenas, located next to the Areeta Metro exit, once again hosts one of the most important events in Getxo. Music from different parts of the world brighten up the streets of Getxo thanks to the different activities scheduled for this international Folk festival. Different cultures invade Getxo to merge with our most ancestral customs. Ready?

Popularly known as Getxo Folk, this festival surprises visitors with its usual and traditional parades of bands through the streets and squares of the municipality. You can get your tickets at the different cultural centers in Getxo and at the Kutxabank multiservice ATM network.

Getxo Sound.

Euskadi counts since 2018 with a new festival, Getxo Sound. This event attracted in its first edition more than 3,000 people to the Areeta Station Square. Quite a record. On the stage of this event, the best music bands created in the municipality have been mixed with important groups of the current music scene such as Ivan Ferreiro, La M.O.D.A or Viva Suecia among others. Regarding the local groups, it is worth mentioning the bands formed during the 80’s, a golden age musically speaking, when the movement known as Getxo Sound was created. Some of the talents of that time turned out to be a great success, being able to hear them even today. Sounds and rhythms atypical for that time that dazzled a whole generation.

Local and national pop-rock-indie music enliven for 2 days the urban center of Areeta, a perfect complement for all those people who want to enjoy the gastronomy, history and culture of the municipality. We would like to emphasize that Getxo Sound Fest won in its first edition the award for “Best festival emerged in 2018” in the international contest Iberian Festival Awards, for something will be true? We encourage you to enjoy the great atmosphere that is created in its vicinity and to know the different activities that take place in the streets and squares of Getxo during this festival. Undoubtedly, a festival to follow closely, an event of the future.

Comic Salon.

Collectors and lovers of comics are in luck. The Salón del Comic, one of the most international festivals of Getxo, returns to the scene. Since this event was born in 2002, it has gained many unconditional followers. We encourage you to mingle with the experts in the dozens of workshops, exhibitions or talks that we find during its celebration. In addition, the commercial area, full of specialized establishments, allows us to take home a souvenir or two. There are many artists who frequent this festival, a good opportunity to chat about our favorite comics or ask them to sign some of our own copies.

The Getxo Comic Fair started as a small tribute to comics and manga, a meeting in which a summary of the history of these two genres was made. Little by little, year after year, the event has evolved to reach today’s formula: A 2-day event, a weekend, where we find experts and establishments from different parts of the world. A meeting point for comics lovers. The space in which it is held, the central plaza Estación de Areeta, gives us all the amenities to enjoy this world of comics. Highly recommended.

Punta Galea Challenge.

Punta Galea Challenge is part of the prestigious World Circuit of Giant Waves of Surf, Big Wave Tour. This championship enchants all and sundry. It is not for less. The historic cliffs of Punta Galea and the huge waves that surfers ride with great courage, are enough argument. The fact that a test of this importance is held on the Basque coast, hints at the great tradition that this town has with the sea and surfing. Punta Galea Challenge has 24 professional surfers divided into four heats of 6, of which only a few will be able to compete in the final stages (semifinals and final). A feat within the reach of very few.

The date of this event is totally conditioned by the sea, being mandatory that there are waves between 5 and 7 meters high for its celebration. That is why, as in the rest of the tests of this circuit, a long waiting period is established, in which the best conditions for surfers are sought. This extreme form of surfing, has among its ranks with professional surfers from around the world, including Natxo Gonzalez, a Basque surfer who has given much to talk about in the world championships. Are you going to miss it?

The Getxo events we have mentioned are just a good representation of the immense agenda that this small coastal town has to offer. We hope you like them as much as we do. In case you want to know more details about any of them, we recommend you to go to the tourist office located on the beach of Ereaga, we are sure that they will assist you to the thousand wonders. On the other hand, we encourage you to use the comment system of this article to send us your questions and suggestions, we will try to answer as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!