Hiri Besta - Basque Festival of Hendaye

2026 Edition — August 7th to 9th

The Hendaye Basque Festival (Hiri Besta) brings the city to life for three days across the Place de la République, the Halles de Gaztelu, the Daniel Ugarte trinquet, the Gaztelu Zahar fronton, the Caneta port, and the Ondarraitz stadium. All events, concerts, dances, and the parade are free to attend.

Opening week of workshops

From August 3rd to 7th, the Halles de Gaztelu host free discovery workshops every morning from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, open to children aged 8 and up accompanied by an adult: Basque dance classes with Mirari Manterola (Mutxiko Elkartea) from August 3rd to 5th, followed by Basque singing classes with Mattin Sorzabalbere (Lanetik Egina) on August 6th and 7th. On Thursday, August 6th, a market featuring Basque crafts and expertise will take over the Place de la République from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, followed by the Trio Alma Flamenca at 8:30 PM and the Gaztelu Zahar male choir at Saint-Vincent Church at 9:30 PM.

Friday, August 7th — Opening and races

The day begins at 2:30 PM with an event for those aged 60 and over at the Halles de Gaztelu, including a snack offered by the CCAS (reservation required). At 7:00 PM, the Hiri Besta races set off from the city center on three courses — 3 km for 12-13 year-olds, 5 km for ages 14+, and 10 km for ages 16+ — while the Zarpai Banda parades through the streets until 8:00 PM. The official opening of the festival takes place at 8:00 PM from the town hall balcony, followed by the race awards ceremony. The streets then come alive with the Zarpai Banda, the Baiona Banda, and the Genets band, before the dance with Edantza at 10:00 PM at the Place de la République.

Saturday, August 8th — Children, pala, and Basque strength

The Place de la République transforms into a "Children's Square" from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM: face painting, wooden games, carriage rides with Ta Lan the donkey, bouncy castles, an exhibition of puppets depicting old Basque trades, and a talo-making workshop. At 11:00 AM, the Halles de Gaztelu host the scarf presentation for children born since the last festival, followed by the children's races at 11:30 AM. The afternoon features the pala tournament finals at the Daniel Ugarte trinquet at 3:00 PM and a Basque strength demonstration at 5:00 PM. The evening includes the Encierro Ttiki, the Hendaye City Trophy regatta, a sardine feast at the Caneta port, mutxiko at 6:15 PM, Hendaian Kantuz folk songs at 7:15 PM, and a concert by Sukar Taldea from 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Sunday, August 9th — Euskal Besta and parade

Sunday is the highlight of the festival: mass with the participation of the Harmonie at 10:00 AM at Saint-Vincent Church, a rebot game at the Gaztelu Zahar fronton at 10:30 AM, an exhibition of floats created by local Hendaye associations at the Gaztelu Zahar parking lot from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and a presentation of young Basque couples at 11:30 AM. At 4:30 PM, the parade sets off from the station square to the Ondarraitz stadium, where fourteen refreshment and food stands await the public. The evening continues with mutxiko at 8:00 PM, a concert by the group Maskak at 9:30 PM, and a live DJ set at 11:20 PM.

Traffic and parking

From August 6th to 10th, several city center streets will be closed or made one-way, and parking will be prohibited in many areas (Écoles, Orangers, Caneta, Vieux Fort). The Txik Txak bus lines 4, 14, 15, and 26 will be diverted, and some stops will be closed from August 7th to 10th.