Festivals in Mondragón

Local festivals in Arrasate/Mondragón

San Juan is the main festival in Arrasate/Mondragón. The celebration combines fire, dance, music, cuadrillas and community events, while Maritxu Kajoi and the Santo Tomás fair provide other distinctive parts of the town's festival calendar.

Usual celebration

The traditional core falls around 23 and 24 June and lasts several days. On the eve, the raising of the maypole and the Errementari Dantza lead into a zortziko danced beside the San Juan bonfire, with dance groups, the band, txistularis and other local musicians. San Juan's Day brings a giants and big-heads parade, the Arrasate Musikal concert, communal meals and events for cuadrillas and families at Herriko plaza, Biteri, Monterron and other central venues.

Programme for 2026

The Town Council scheduled more than 90 activities from 12 to 27 June. They included a children's tamborrada, Dantzari Day, Youth Olympics involving 1,000 participants, bull runs, the self-managed Zeuk iñ zeuk jan meal, a tribute to residents over 80 and concerts at the txosnas, the square and Monterron. On 24 June there were the giants and big-heads parade, the Arrasate Musikal band concert and evening performances; associations, cultural organisations and the Town Council prepared the programme.

Local public holidays in 2026

The resolution in the Official Gazette of Gipuzkoa sets 31 July, San Ignacio de Loyola, throughout the territory, and 24 June, San Juan Bautista, for Arrasate/Mondragón. Both are local public holidays in 2026; the latter coincides with the principal day rather than the full duration of the programme.

Other events

Maritxu Kajoi has been celebrated on the first Friday in October since 1977, when the custom is to dress elegantly around the image of the Virgen del Rosario on Erdiko kalea. The Santo Tomás fair occupies 22 December with farmhouse produce, crafts, competitions, Basque rural sports and street parades.

Sources

• Arrasate Town Council: San Juan 2026 programme
• Official Gazette of Gipuzkoa: local public holidays for 2026
• Arrasate Town Council: municipal guide to festivals and traditions