17 Nov 2025 The Christmas spirit is already taking over; you can already feel it in the streets, in the atmosphere, in the supermarkets when you see the nougat on display for weeks. Now, yes, Christmas is finally here.
And when Christmas arrives, it brings with it new activities, events, leisure activities, and food. It's a short but intense time of year, where it seems like we're suddenly surrounded by a different city.
Whether you're just passing through, planning a getaway, or have been here for a while, spending Christmas in Bilbao is always a fantastic idea.
We know it's practically impossible to spend every Christmas in Bilbao, but spending a few days will be enough to see and experience how wonderful Christmas feels in Bilbao. We also don't know what days you'll be there, so we're going to bring you the best plans, whether they're at the beginning or end of Christmas.
There's no better way to start a Christmas stroll than by wandering among the Christmas stalls at a market. At a glance, you'll see the most traditional crafts, decorations, and food.
The first Christmas market in Bilbao, the most important, and the one everyone knows. There aren't a large number of markets here, but those that do exist are concentrated in the heart of the city.
With just over twenty stalls, the Bilbao Christmas market is located on the Ripa dock. This is the heart of Bilbao's history, with its origins in the estuary. Its stalls offer traditional Christmas decorations, as well as gifts and souvenirs that go hand in hand with both Christmas and local traditions.
So you don't miss anything, its opening hours are perfect for visiting at any time of day without interrupting your lunch break, as it closes at noon. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It then reopens to visitors at 4:30 p.m. and closes at nightfall at 9:00 p.m.
Once again this year, one of the main attractions of Christmas is its legendary craft fair. From mid-December until the end of Christmas, we can learn about the best of Bilbao's history through the hardworking hands of its artisans.
This fair connects the most deeply rooted traditions with local commerce, and from there, with the rest of the world through stalls that showcase the wonderful Basque and Bilbao traditions to all visitors.
If you had already marked a visit to the Arenal Pier on your itinerary, now you have one more reason not to miss it. The craft fair is held here, as it is every year, and we can't think of a better location for such a high-level and important event.
The opening hours for this open-air history lesson begin at 11:00 a.m. and close for lunch at 2:30 p.m. It then reopens to the public at 5:00 PM and closes again at 8:30 PM.
On 21st December, the Santo Tomás Fair arrives, and don't think it's a multi-day event during which you can decide whether or not to go. It's only celebrated for one day and is a true journey into the heart of local customs and traditions.
It's a mix of the most Basque folklore you can imagine; from music to gastronomy, to exhibitions and displays of animals like pigs and chickens. Let yourself be enveloped in the spirit of this holiday, so much ours and so native to Bilbao.
Okay, you've already visited the markets, bought local crafts, and beautiful souvenirs from Bilbao, but you still have some Christmas spirit to feel. First of all, you can't miss visiting the city lights.
In reality, you'll just have to wait until nightfall. Then, head to the city centre and enjoy the spectacle. The Old Town is decorated and illuminated like never before, if you've visited us before.
You can take a lovely walk outside the Old Town, visiting important sites such as Plaza Moyúa, the Gabonart Market, the Gran Vía, or the Arenal Pier. But if you want great views during the day, whether it's Christmas or not, it's always a good idea to go to Mount Artxanda to enjoy the breathtaking views of Bilbao from up there.
Getting there is easy; you just need to take the funicular. And if you love nature, this can be the starting point for a day of hiking through a beautiful natural setting. The trails will take you to unparalleled beauty just a few minutes from Bilbao.
Back in La Villa, we head to the Old Town, where all of Bilbao's most famous and important events come together. We're still firmly committed to Christmas, and this time we're going to see the Nativity scenes. Certainly, there are few things more Christmassy than that. We recommend visiting the ones on display in iconic locations around the city such as the Ribera Market, the Museum of Sacred Art, and Bilbao City Hall.
And now that we've mentioned the city council, don't forget to check out its leisure and cultural agenda, because every year events are organized throughout the city and the calendar to offer residents and tourists a wide variety of activities. From parades to concerts with live music, they await you, as they do every year in Bilbao.
In Bilbao, a very special parade is held, in addition to the world-famous parade of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men: Olentzero parade. On 23rd December, this very special parade is focus on the figure of Olentzero, a creature from Basque folklore and mythology.
With him, distributing greetings and gifts, we find Mari Domingi, another well-known and beloved figure in Basque mythology and fantasy. Both will make children dream and ignite the Christmas spirit even more.
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17 Nov 2025 