The festive program for Eibar's San Juan celebrations, which will extend for almost a month, will see the return of sokamuturra this year, one of the events that has generated the most anticipation in the city. The program presented by the City Council will include this activity over three days, following a request from a large group of young people to reinstate it into the local festive calendar.

The reintroduction of sokamuturra, the last of which took place in 2018 in Unzaga, will mark one of the main differentiating elements of this year's festivals. Until now, in recent times, the presence of bulls in the program had been limited to the 'embolados' (bulls with torches on their horns), held in the bullring early in the morning. The municipal decision will allow sokamuturra to once again occupy its own space within the central days of San Juan.

The event will be held on June 21, 24, and 25 in Unzaga, coinciding with the peak festive atmosphere. The City Council has thus responded to the petition submitted by local youth, who had called for the recovery of a tradition historically linked to the festival program.

Mayor Jon Iraola highlighted that the San Juan festivals "represent one of the most special moments of the year for the city" and emphasized the collective nature of celebrations built through collaboration between the City Council and the Eibar associative fabric. According to him, the goal is to offer "a broad program" so that the city is filled with atmosphere throughout the month.

The program will kick off on June 4 and run until the 27th, featuring almost a month of cultural, sporting, musical, and popular activities. Unzaga, Errebal, Urkizu, Zuloagastarren, Bizikleta plaza, Astelena, and the Coliseo will be some of the main venues for an agenda aimed at audiences of all ages.

Among the initial events are dance performances at the Coliseo, the March Against Cancer, the Dantzari Eguna (Dancers' Day), a boxing evening at Astelena, concerts by the Juan Bautista Gisasola Music School, musical performances in Unzaga, and sporting events such as the 7-a-side football championship and the San Juan cycling Grand Prix.

The central days will begin on June 23 with the reception of the Dulzaineros de Estella (pipers from Estella), the gathering of 'cuadrillas' (groups of friends), the opening speech, and the launch of the 'txupinazo' (firecracker) from the City Hall. That same day will include 'cuadrilla' games, children's workshops, giants and big-heads, hot chocolate, 'tamborrada' (drum parade), the traditional San Juan bonfire, 'queimada' (a queimada ritual), and a 'verbena' (outdoor dance).

On San Juan Day, June 24, it will once again start with sokamuturra and street parades ('diana'). The day will also include religious services in Azitain and the Carmen church, a special San Juan concert by the Banda Cielito, a children's park, street theater, a macro-ginkana (large obstacle course), a children's 'tamborrada', a children's opening speech, a 'romería' (folk dance), Soka Dantza (a traditional Basque dance), fireworks, and a 'verbena'.

On Thursday the 25th, sokamuturra will again open the festive program, followed by a 'diana', a marmitako (tuna stew) contest in Unzaga, traditional games, giants and big-heads, street theater, and the Euskal Jaialdia (Basque Festival) organized by ...eta kitto!. In the evening, the Banda Cielito will perform a concert dedicated to the soundtracks of John Williams before another fireworks display.

The program will conclude on Saturday the 27th with San Pedro and Pride Day, a day especially geared towards families in the park on Carmen street, featuring hot chocolate, children's games, and Lekim's show "La maleta" (The Suitcase).

The Councilor for Culture, Andoni Zabala, stated that the program reflects "Eibar's enormous cultural and associative dynamism," while the Councilor for Festivities, Patxi Lejardi, invited citizens to participate in festivals "for all tastes and all ages," promoting coexistence and respect.

Concerts will once again be a fundamental festive element of the Eibar celebrations. Thus, on Friday the 19th, Maialen Ibarra and Kaparrak will perform, along with a concert by the Eibarrés artist EMEKA, "at the request of many young people," and a DJ set in the early morning by SOBA Art Co.

On Saturday the 20th, Errebal will become the meeting point for the anticipated Jonkass and Leire Martínez. The singer began 2026 with her first solo tour, initially through venues across Spain, before traveling overseas to connect with her international fans on stage. Following this, the San Juan DJ Fest will take place featuring the Eibarrés artist Danel Santiago.

The eve of San Juan, the 23rd, is reserved for Lisker, who will offer 'verbena' music from 00:30 to 04:00. On San Juan Day, the Unzaga square will host a 'verbena' by Jamaica Show, which enjoys a very loyal audience.

On San Juan Txiki, the 25th, it will be the turn of the 'Cielito' Music Band to present a concert dedicated to composer John Williams.

Regarding Sunday, coinciding with the San Pedro festivities, the eastern area will feature a performance by Trío Medianoche in BehekoTokia. The night will be headlined by the orchestra Ibai Berriak.

The festivals will begin weeks before the 'txupinazo' thanks to the support of local groups.

Before the main San Juan days arrive, Eibar will experience two weeks of intense cultural, sporting, and festive activity. Thus, the so-called preSanjuanes are consolidating as a festive prelude with its own identity, capable of generating atmosphere in the city for several weeks. The preliminary program will start on June 4 with Nele Dantza's performance at the Coliseo, accompanied by the March Against Cancer and a poetry evening in Ibarkurutze during the first weekend. In the following days, there will be concerts from the Musika Eskola, the Dantzari Eguna organized by Kezka, a boxing evening at Astelena, and new musical performances in Unzaga.

The festive atmosphere will continue with the 7-a-side football championship for 'cuadrillas', the Eibar City Bolo Palma Tournament, the Break Dance and New Style Championship, and a new edition of LOS40 Sessions Eibar. Also featured will be the XC San Juan cycling Grand Prix, the three-band billiards championship, new dance performances, and concerts from the Juan Bautista Gisasola Music School. The festive prelude will conclude with the San Juan amateur pelota tournament, the Ballet Eibarrés, and various musical performances in Unzaga.