Fêtes d'Ustaritz

The festivals of the former capital of Labourd

Ustaritz, a commune in the Nive valley located 12 km south of Bayonne, was for centuries the capital of Labourd, one of the three provinces of the northern Basque Country. The Biltzar (general assembly of Labourd) met there, making Ustaritz a major political and cultural center. The patronal festivals perpetuate this tradition of community gathering in a town that retains remarkable architectural and cultural heritage.

A weekend of Basque festivities

The Fêtes d'Ustaritz take place over a weekend in July, offering a program of traditional Basque festivities. Saturday evening marks the official opening of the festival with a festive aperitif in the village square, followed by musical entertainment and popular dances. Sunday is the main day with the festive mass at 10:30 am, led by the emblematic local music ensemble, the Harmonie des Labourdins. The day continues with pelota competitions, Basque dance performances, and popular meals.

Labourdin traditions and conviviality

The Fêtes d'Ustaritz embody the spirit of Labourdin conviviality. Traditional events—Basque pelota at the fronton, Labourdin dances, Basque songs—sit alongside more contemporary festivities with orchestras, bands, and musical evenings. The popular outdoor meals bring the community together around local gastronomy, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The Fêtes d'Ustaritz Committee, composed of dynamic volunteers, organizes these festivities which contribute to maintaining social cohesion in the commune.

A dynamic village in the heart of the Basque Country

Ustaritz is a lively commune that, beyond its July patronal festivals, offers a rich cultural calendar throughout the year. The Hartzaro Festival in February-March, a major carnival event in the Basque Country, testifies to this cultural vitality. The patronal festivals complete this picture by offering a moment of summer celebration where the Uztaritze community comes together to share its joie de vivre and its Labourdin traditions.