There is always a food market or competition in Bizkaia, so you can come at any time of year. In Bilbao you will find La Ribera Market, next to the San Antón Bridge. Housed in a recently renovated building, it is the largest indoor food market in Europe.
On 21 December, feast of St Thomas, Bilbao draws thousands of people to the market stalls in the Arenal and Plaza Nueva, serving all kinds of typical foods: cheese, talo (corn tortilla) and chorizo, txakoli wine, cider… Beyond the capital, there are all kinds of markets and fairs across the region: farming, livestock, fishing, cheese, crafts…
In Gernika-Lumo there is a highly popular fair at Plaza del Mercado on Monday all year round. In it, local baserritarras (farmers) offer the best products from their gardens and farms in more than 350 stalls. The big event takes place in October: Last Monday in Gernika (Último Lunes de Octubre). In June, Urdaibai hosts Idiazabal Cheese and Txakoli Wine Day, so if you are interested in these two products from Bizkaia, you know where to go.
Bizkaia is a heaven for fish lovers. There are many places where you can have dishes prepared with fresh-off-the-boat catches. Bermeo holds its fish fair, Arrain Azoka, in May. And to wash the seafood down, have a glass of txakoli, Bizkaia’s wine. Many villages celebrate Txakoli Eguna (Txakoli Day) with special events: Gorliz, Lezama, Gernika-Lumo, Zalla…
Durangoko Azoka, a very special fair
In addition to farmers’ fairs, Bizkaia plays host to several cultural fairs, the most important being the Durango Basque Book and Record Fair, aka Durangoko Azoka, held in the first half of December.
It is the largest cultural fair in Euskadi, aimed as a showcase for Basque culture. It gathers over 100 stands from Basque publishing houses and record labels. It has so much to offer culture vultures that it has become a major meeting place for them, both Euskaldunes (Basque language speakers) and fans of everything Basque who cannot speak the language.
The Durango Fair draws thousands of visitors every year. It is also a big festival, where you can get the latest books or records by Basque artists as you listen to Basque music or engage in street activities. It is really a must for Basque culture enthusiasts.