Vitoria - Gasteiz, What you should know >> Holidays and events
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Contents
What you should know >> Holidays and Events
Popular Festivals
- Carnivals. February.
Carnivals are a long-held tradition in Vitoria-Gasteiz and in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest. Fancy dress, dancing, musical groups, and floats transform the city during the period leading up to Lent.
You should go to the village of Zalduendo, where “Marquitos” (a life-size doll who represents the carnival) is impaled and then tried publicly. A satirical sermon is read and then he is condemned to death by burning.
- San Prudencio Procession. April 27.
These are the festivals in honour of San Prudencio, the patron saint of Alava. On the eve of the festival, bands of trumpeters, clarinet players and drummers meet in the Plaza de la Provincia and play in an open-air concert. Then there is the "Tamborrada" or parade of drummers in which the chefs and representatives of the gastronomic societies of Alava take part. They wear large aprons and hats and they parade through the streets to the sound of the "txistu" (the original wind instrument of the Basque Country) and drums. Scrambled perretxikos (mushrooms found locally) and snails are at the typical dishes to eat at this time.
- San Prudencio. April 28.
This festival is extremely popular among the inhabitants of this province and consists of a procession to the village of Armentia to venerate the relics of the Saint. The inhabitants of Alava, many of them dressed in the typical costumes of this province, meet in the broad meadows that surround the basilica.
- Day of the "Blusa". July 25.
Traditionally, garlic is sold on the Cuesta de San Francisco during the morning. In the afternoon, attention switches to the bull ring where the entry and exit of the bulls is made more enjoyable by the procession through the streets of the city of the groups of "blusas" (young men wearing the traditional loose shirt or blouse).
- Virgen Blanca. August 4-9.
On August 4, the most important festival of Vitoria-Gasteiz begins with the ringing of the bells of the Church of San Miguel and the traditional “chupinazo”, a firework which is let off to mark the beginning of the festivals in honour of the Virgen Blanca, the patron saint of the city. The “bajada del Celedón” –a life-size doll dressed in the traditional costume of this region and carrying a haversack, wineskin and umbrella, descends from the bell tower of the Church of San Miguel to the balcony of a house in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, marking the official start of the celebrations. As Celedón descends over the Square, thousands of bottles of champagne are opened, cigars are lit and the music of the fanfares, the txistu and drums mixes with the racket made by thousands of people who congregate in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca.
During the five days of festivities, the groups of "blusas", "txarangas" and "fanfarres" (popular musical groups) parade through the streets, while our citizens take part in a large number of festive events, shows, open-air dancing, bullfights, etc.
On the night of August 4, there is the traditional Procession of Lanterns, made with glass of different colours and of great artistic interest...
On August 5, the inhabitants of the city take part in the procession and Rosary of the Aurora, at 7 in the morning.
The cool of the morning contrasts with the religious fervour of a community united by religious feeling, tradition and a festive spirit.
At one in the morning on August 10, "Celedón" bids farewell to the city and ascends once more to the bell tower of San Miguel amidst fireworks and the "sobs" of everyone present.
- Traditional religious procession to Olárizu. Following monday after September's Virgin Day (sep 8th)
Coinciding with the traditional procession on horseback of the municipal council around the boundary markers of the municipality, there is a popular procession to Olárizu, which consists of walking up to the cross placed at the summit of the hill. Traditionally, the day ends with a picnic in the fields at the bottom of the hill in which everyone eats melon. This procession and a thanksgiving ceremony mark the end of the summer festivities.
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