Festivals in Ortuella
Discover the festivals of Ortuella, led by San Félix and strong community participation through cuadrillas, txosnas, Basque music, food traditions and mining heritage.
Local festivals in Ortuella
The San Félix festivities are usually celebrated over ten days around 18 May. The banner procession, proclamation, raising of the ikurriña and opening rocket begin the celebrations in Plaza Otxartaga; the streets and Paseo Europa then host fanfares, txistulari musicians, romerías, concerts and activity around the txosnas.
Cuadrillas, food and mining heritage
Cuadrillas and local associations lead song contests, communal meals, competitions and street parades. Stone-drilling exhibitions recall the occupations of the mining district, while txalaparta music, joaldunak, dance, the paella and tortilla competition and the cuadrilla meal make Plaza Otxartaga the principal gathering place.
Other celebrations: Carnival
Ortuella Carnival usually occupies two days in February. Local schools open the celebration with a street parade and, on the following day, associations, families and cuadrillas take part in workshops, fanfare music, a costume contest and a parade to Plaza Otxartaga before a community supper in the frontón.