After a weekend filled with various events, Eibar is finalizing preparations for the official start of the San Juan festivities on Tuesday, June 23rd. The town is buzzing with a festive atmosphere, even as a stifling heatwave persists, failing to dampen the spirits of its residents.
Previous days featured concerts by Leire Martínez, Kaparra, and Jonkass, alongside the controversial sokamuturra and Txistulari Eguna. Today, June 22nd, a water-themed children's park will offer relief in Untzaga square at 17:00. This will be followed by the Flybbe Drone Soccer drone football competition at the same venue, running from 17:00 to 20:00. The festive afternoon in Untzaga will conclude with a performance by Tutik Clowns (Gari, Montxo, and Jose Lontxo) at 19:30.
Tomorrow, June 23rd, marks the official commencement of the festivities. The schedule includes a welcome for the Dulzaineros de Estella in Estaziño street at 13:00, preceding a parade to Untzaga for the proclamation of the opening speech and the chupinazo. Earlier, at 10:30, Kaleetan Kantuz will take place at the Hospital, and at 13:00, the Usartza txistulari band and the Music Band will perform the Zortziko de San Juan in Untzaga. The cuadrillas (groups of friends) will gather in Untzaga at 12:00 for a parade to Estaziño street to welcome the Dulzaineros de Estella.
Following the chupinazo, at 15:30, the Ustekabe txaranga (brass band) will lead another parade, followed by games for the cuadrillas in Untzaga at 18:00. In Egogain, starting at 17:00, a chalk workshop will take place, aiming to create what is presented as the world's largest San Juan poster. Children can enjoy inflatables in Bizikleta Plaza from 17:30, and in Urkizu, the parade of giants, big-heads, and the Dulzaineros de Estella will begin at 19:00.
At 19:00, the Church of El Carmen will host the eve mass for San Juan, with the participation of the San Andrés Parish Choir. Meanwhile, the Irulitxa fanfarre will liven up Eibar's streets from 19:30, and at 20:00, Bizikleta Plaza will be the venue for a children's hot chocolate event.
The night's events will kick off with the start of the tamborrada (drum parade) at 22:00 from Untzaga square, accompanied by the Ustekabe txaranga. At 23:15, the Eibar Dance School will perform in Untzaga, just before the lighting of the San Juan bonfire at 23:30, organized by the Casa de Galicia As Burgas, and the performance of the San Juan anthem by the Cielito Music Band. At midnight, the San Juan anthem and the tamborrada parade will be performed again in Untzaga, followed by a street party (verbena) by Lisker starting at 00:30 and lasting until 4:00.
