Cherry Festival
The celebration of the Basque Country's emblematic fruit in Itxassou
About Itxassou Cherry Festival
The Black Cherry of Itxassou, a Living Heritage
The black cherry of Itxassou is one of the gastronomic treasures of the Basque Country. This small, juicy black fruit, cultivated on the village hillsides for centuries, is inseparable from the black cherry jam that traditionally accompanies the Basque cake and sheep's cheese. The Cherry Festival, organized since 1952 by the Itsasuarrak association, celebrates this living heritage before the harvest, bringing the entire village together in an atmosphere of joy and sharing.
A Day of Basque Traditions
The day begins at 9 am with a bilingual mass (Basque and French) that anchors the festival in its spiritual and cultural roots. At 11 am, a Basque pelota demonstration at the Atharri fronton brings players and spectators together in the passion for this emblematic sport. The entire village vibrates to the sound of txistus and ttun-ttuns, traditional instruments that accompany the festivities.
The Lively Grand Meal and Basque Strength Games
The lively grand meal, served from 1 pm, is the convivial heart of the festival. Guests share a menu made from local products, accompanied by musicians from the Alaiak group. In the afternoon, from 3:30 pm, the Basque strength games (euskal indar jokoak) offer spectacular events: stone lifting, straw bale lifting, wood sawing, and other displays of strength that captivate the audience.
Basque Dances and Makilaris
From 4:30 pm, traditional Basque dances and the makilaris (stick dancers) offer a colorful and captivating show in the village square. These ancestral choreographies, passed down through generations, testify to the richness of the Basque Country's dance heritage. The mutxiko, a participatory dance open to all, invites the public to join the dancers.
Sale of Cherries and Local Products
Throughout the day, local producers offer fresh Itxassou cherries, artisanal jams, Basque cakes, and other local products for sale. Tasting stands allow visitors to discover the different varieties of cherries grown in the village. Access to the festival is free, with only the meal being charged, making this event accessible to all visitors.
An Event Listed as Intangible Heritage
The Itxassou Cherry Festival is listed in the Inventory of France's Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognizing the exceptional cultural value of this celebration that has perpetuated the link between a village, a fruit, and a community for over 70 years. The Itsasuarrak association works to pass on this tradition to new generations while opening it up to an ever-wider audience.
Itxassou Cherry Festival — edition 2026
The Itxassou Cherry Festival 2026 will take place on Sunday, June 7th, in the heart of the Basque village, at the Mur à gauche Atharri site. Organized since 1952 by the Itsasuarrak association, this rural day celebrates the emblematic black cherry of the Basque Country with a bilingual mass, Basque pelota, a large lively meal, Basque strength games, traditional dances and makilaris, sale of cherries and local products. Free entry, meal by reservation at 28 €.
2026 Edition: 74 years of Basque tradition centered around the black cherry
The 2026 edition of the Cherry Festival will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Itxassou, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Organized since 1952 by the Itsasuarrak association, this celebration brings together local producers, residents, and visitors around the Itxassou black cherry, an emblematic fruit of the Basque Country listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of France.
A festive day punctuated by Basque traditions
The festival will open at 9 AM with a bilingual mass (Basque and French) that anchors the day in local spirituality and culture. At 11 AM, a Basque pelota demonstration at the Atharri left wall will gather players and spectators. The large lively meal will be served from 1 PM under a marquee, animated by the Alaiak group, with a menu highlighting local products (piperade with ham, leg of lamb or roasted chicken with peas, salad, cheese with black cherry jam, Basque cake, coffee liqueur, wine included).
Basque strength games, traditional dances and songs
In the afternoon, from 3:30 PM, the Basque strength games (euskal indar jokoak) will offer spectacular challenges: stone lifting, log sawing, straw bale lifting. At 4:30 PM, Basque dances and makilaris (stick dancers) will animate the village square. The day will continue from 6 PM with traditional songs, talo preparation, and a friendly aperitif. Inflatable games will be set up all afternoon for children.
Producers' market and cherry sales
Throughout the day, local producers will offer fresh Itxassou cherries, artisanal black cherry jams, Basque cakes, talo, and local products for sale. Access to the festival is free, only the meal is paid (28 € by reservation via the association's online ticketing service). A free shuttle service operates all day to facilitate access to the village.
Programme Itxassou Cherry Festival 2026
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Bilingual Mass (Basque and French) — Itxassou Church
- 11:00 AM — Basque Pelota Demonstration — Mur à gauche Atharri
- 1:00 PM — Large lively meal animated by the Alaiak group (menu: piperade with ham, leg of lamb or roasted chicken with peas, salad, cheese with black cherry jam, Basque cake, coffee liqueur — wine included) — by reservation
- 3:30 PM — Basque Strength Games (euskal indar jokoak): stone lifting, log sawing, straw bale lifting
- 4:30 PM — Traditional Basque dances and makilaris (stick dancers)
- 6:00 PM — Mutxikoak, traditional songs, talo preparation and aperitif
- All day long — Direct sale of fresh Itxassou cherries by local producers, local produce market (artisanal jams, Basque cakes, talo), tastings
- All afternoon — Inflatable games for children
Highlights Itxassou Cherry Festival 2026
- 74th edition of an uninterrupted Basque tradition since 1952
- Festival listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of France
- Full program: bilingual mass, Basque pelota, strength games, traditional dances and makilaris
- Large lively meal at 28 € (wine included) by the Alaiak group — by reservation via Helloasso
- Free entry, free shuttles all day long
- Producers' market: black cherries, jams, Basque cake, talo
Prices Itxassou Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Itxassou Cherry Festival
Access
Itxassou is located 20 minutes from Bayonne and 10 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains.
- By car: From Bayonne, take the D932 then the D918 towards Itxassou (20 min). Free temporary parking.
- Shuttles: A free shuttle service operates throughout the day.
Hours
From 9 am until the end of the evening.
Prices
Free access to the festival. Meal: 28 euros.
Contact
- Phone: 05 59 29 75 36
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Where does it take place — Itxassou Cherry Festival
Mur à gauche Atharri et coeur du village d'Itxassou
Mur à gauche Atharri, 64250 Itxassou, 64250 Itxassou