Festivities in Gorliz
GORLIZ FESTIVITIES
ENTERTAINMENT AND TRADITION
The entire town, summer dwellers and visitors dive head first into the celebrations which include: gastronomic competitions, traditional dances, and concerts to live the festivities 24 hours a day.
The festivities are an excellent opportunity to learn about Basque culture and traditions. No doubt you will find out what a ‘Gau Pasa’ is. And then, why not learn to dance a Jota?
February

CARNAVAL
The traditional Joaldunak, typical characters from Navarre, with their large cowbells on their backs, awaken nature and ward off evil spirits.
May

DANTZARI TXIKI DAY
The entire town takes to the streets to enjoy the different Basque dances to the sound of traditional instruments, the txistu and the tamboril, in a display of dances and parades with a festive atmosphere, always followed by a good pintxo and wine.
June

NIGHT OF FIRE IN GORLIZ
In Gorliz, the night of San Juan is a night in which the people of the town gather in a relaxed atmosphere and after enjoying a performance they drink chocolate and light the so-called San Juan bonfires. Depending on the type of bonfires, they are jumped over to call for good luck or simply enjoy music while watching the bonfire burn.
June

FESTIVAL OF ST PETER IN GORLIZ
This festival commemorates the death of the Apostle Saint Peter. Traditionally it has been celebrated in coastal towns with a fishing or seafaring tradition, since this saint is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen.
July

DASTATUARTE
Dastatuarte is a gastronomic-artistic festival that is celebrated in Gorliz at the beginning of July, where everything revolves around gastronomy and art. Activities are carried out for children, adults, families or friends, some of which are paid and others are free.
July

FESTIVAL OF SANTIAGO
One of the most lively moments of summer. There is a very popular open air cooking competition. Participants cook cod carefully in the streets of Gorliz to win the prize for the best cod. There are rural and artisanal fairs as well, which are also very popular.
Download Gorliz Festival 2022 Program
August

FESTIVAL OF ANDRA MARI
Like every big festival, it starts with the txupinazo, a rocket that announces the beginning of a festival three or four days long. You will see traditional Basque dances and traditional sport exhibitions such as stone lifting or trunk cutting. There is also a very popular paella competition which has become a must of the festival. In the evening local and regional bands play live music to end the day in the best way possible.
August

FESTIVAL OF UREZARANTZA
The third weekend of August. children and adults have fun together taking part in games and gastronomic competitions. There are two of these, an omelette competition and the traditional “Sukalki” competition, a typical Basque beef stew very loved by the locals.
October

GAU BALTZA
For some years now, the Basque Country has been recovering one of its oldest and deep-rooted traditions, that of celebrating La Gau Baltza (Black Night) or Arimen Gaua (Night of Souls).
Lighted pumpkins, costumes with fabrics or white sheets flood the Plaza Ibarreta de Gorliz on October 31. A fun night where you‘ll be scared.
October

GASTRONOMIC OCTOBER
Gastronomic October in Gorliz is celebrated a weekend a year. It is an event where visitors can get to know and taste local craft beers and also taste pintxos that have mushrooms as their main ingredient.
December

FESTIVAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Once again, a gastronomic competition is the big attraction of the festival. In this cooking competition, people prepare snails with “bizkaina” sauce, a typical meal very common in winter season. During the festival, there is also a Christmas market, games and music that make it unforgettable.