Hiri Besta - Basque Festival of Hendaye
The great Basque festival of Hendaye, a celebration of culture and traditions
About Hiri Besta
Hiri Besta: The Festival for All Generations
Hiri Besta (literally "the city festival" in Basque) is the most important festive event in Hendaye. Every year at the beginning of August, the entire town celebrates Basque culture and traditions in an atmosphere of conviviality and intergenerational sharing.
A Week of Cultural Preparation
The week preceding the festive weekend, cultural discovery workshops are organized at the Halles de Gaztelu to allow families to discover Basque culture:
- Basque Dance Classes
- Basque Folk Songs
- Traditional Games
- Workshops for Children
A Weekend of Intense Festivities
Friday: Hiri Besta - Opening
- Children's Corner: face painting, traditional Basque games, pony rides with Ta Lan the donkey, inflatable structures
- Festive Evening: local bands, refreshment stands, food provided by associations, traditional dances until 2 AM
Saturday: Hiri Besta - Race and Sport
- Hiri Besta Race: 5 km and 10 km courses through the town center, the beach, and the Bay of Txingudi
- Children's Races
- Basque Pelota Finals at the D. Ugarte fronton (3 PM)
- Evening entertainment and concerts
Sunday: Basque Festival
- Local Produce Market (9 AM - 1:30 PM)
- Solemn Mass at Saint-Vincent Church
- Rebot match at the fronton
- Presentation of young Basque couples
- Grand Parade of Floats and Bands starting from the train station (4:30 PM)
- Closing Concert and Fireworks
A Popular and Authentic Festival
Hiri Besta is a special time in Hendaye's life, where all generations come together to celebrate Basque identity. The port of Caneta, Ondarraitz stadium, the D. Ugarte fronton, and the Place de la République become the stages for an authentic festival that makes the people of Hendaye proud.
Hiri Besta — edition 2026
Hiri Besta - Hendaye Basque Festival returns from August 7th to 9th, 2026 for three days of free Basque festivities. On the program: Hiri Besta races, pelota games, banda parades, craft market, grand float parade, and closing fireworks display.
2026 Edition — August 7th to 9th
The Hendaye Basque Festival (Hiri Besta) transforms the city center and Avenue des Mimosas, made pedestrian, into a festive village for three days. All shows, concerts, and entertainment are free.
Friday, August 7th
- Hiri Besta 5 and 10 km races (registrations at Les Halles)
- Craft market and gourmet food stalls
- Parade of the Zarpai Banda in the city center
- Opening ceremony from the town hall balcony and race awards presentation
- Street entertainment with several bandas, followed by a musical evening
Saturday, August 8th
- Children's races and Basque pelota tournament finals at the fronton
- Street entertainment, gourmet food stalls
- Fireworks display
Sunday, August 9th
- Solemn mass at Saint-Vincent church and presentation of couples in Basque costumes
- Pelota game at the Gaztelu-Zahar fronton
- 4:30 PM: grand parade of floats and bandas from the train station to Ondarraitz stadium
- Concert followed by the closing fireworks display and festive dance
Programme Hiri Besta 2026
Friday, August 7th, 2026
- Hiri Besta 5 and 10 km races — registrations at Les Halles, start Place de la République
- Craft market and gourmet food stalls
- Parade of the Zarpai Banda in the city center
- 8:00 PM — Opening ceremony from the town hall balcony and race awards presentation
- 8:30 PM — Street entertainment with several bandas (Zarpai Banda, Baiona Banda, banda des Genets)
- 10:00 PM — Concert Place de la République
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
- Children's races and Basque pelota tournament finals at the fronton
- Street entertainment and gourmet food stalls
- Fireworks display
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Solemn mass at Saint-Vincent church
- 10:30 AM — Basque pelota game
- 11:30 AM — Presentation of couples in Basque costumes
- 4:30 PM — Grand parade of floats and bandas from the train station towards Ondarraitz stadium
- 9:30 PM — Concert
- 11:00 PM — Closing fireworks display
- 11:20 PM — Festive dance
Highlights Hiri Besta 2026
- Three days of entirely free Basque festivities
- Hiri Besta 5 and 10 km races
- Basque pelota finals at the fronton
- Grand parade of floats and bandas on Sunday
- Two fireworks displays (Saturday evening and Sunday evening)
Prices Hiri Besta 2026
Practical information — Hiri Besta
Practical Information
Locations
Halles de Gaztelu, Place de la République, D. Ugarte fronton, Ondarraitz stadium, port of Caneta, and Hendaye town center.
Access
By Car: Hendaye is accessible via the A63 motorway. Parking available in the town center and at the beach.
By Train: Hendaye SNCF station, the terminus of the TGV line.
Prices
Festivities are free and open to all.
Contact
Hendaye Town Hall: tel. +33 5 59 48 23 23. Website: hendaye-culture.fr.
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Where does it take place — Hiri Besta
Centre-ville d'Hendaye et lieux de la commune
Place de la République, 64700 Hendaye