Festivals in Zarautz

Local festivals in Zarautz

San Pelaio, the summer festivities and Euskal Astea shape Zarautz's festive calendar, with the involvement of the Town Council, associations, cuadrillas, dance groups, txistularis, trikitilaris, musicians and residents.

Usual celebration

San Pelaio's principal day is 26 June, and the festival lasts several days around the chapel and meadow at Iñurritza, the town centre and its squares. The pilgrimage, high mass, giants and big-head figures, street parades, aurresku, open-air dances and rural sports combine the patronal celebration with the traditions of the Iñurritza district.

Programme for 2026

The institutional San Pelaio programme ran from 24 to 27 June 2026. On 26 June it included high mass at the chapel, a gathering and parade of giants and big-head figures, music by the municipal band, an aurresku and open-air dances. Euskal Astea 2026 is scheduled from 1 to 9 September, with the children's Euskal Jai on 6 September and Basque Festival Day on 9 September.

Local public holidays in 2026

The official resolution establishes two paid, non-recoverable non-working days: 31 July, San Ignacio de Loyola, throughout Gipuzkoa, and 26 June, San Pelaio, specifically in Zarautz. The latter coincides with the principal day, not the full length of the programme.

Other events

Euskal Astea maintains its own nine-day programme centred on Basque culture, distinct from San Pelaio and the August summer festivities.

Sources

• Basque Government: San Pelaio 2026 programme
• Basque Government: Zarautz Euskal Astea 2026
• Official Gazette of Gipuzkoa: local public holidays for 2026