The San Bartolome Festivals 2026 in Elgoibar have been highly praised for both the quality and diversity of their program and the significant citizen participation and response. The festival days were marked by a joyful, participatory, and close-knit atmosphere, with a notable public presence at numerous activities.
Music was one of the most prominent aspects of this edition. Bands such as Muzak, Süne, Alguillo and Alkimistak, Gozategi, Puro Relajo, Kaparrak, and ETS, among others, achieved a great response from the audience. The musical offering, ranging from local groups to bands like ETS, had the town dancing, with efforts made to ensure safe festivities for everyone.
Street entertainment was also a major success of the program. Street bands (txarangas), trikitilaris, giants and big-heads (erraldoi eta buruhandiak), and parades brought the festival to various parts of the town. As a novelty, the Ludoteca featured small giants created and danced by the children themselves, fostering their enthusiasm. Mauxitxa, Ustekabe, Betisua, Baltzola and Lagunak, and Erruzek kept the atmosphere lively. Additionally, the new big-head Txomin Mujika was added, and Deabru Beltzak's pyrotechnic show 'Su Talka' was very well received.
The bull-running events (sokamuturrak), as usual, were very popular and were among the main protagonists of the festivals. The participation of Ruso, Lopene, and Ibiri ranches upheld the festival tradition, and the large public presence reaffirmed the strong roots of this tradition in Elgoibar. The involvement of associations and local collectives was also highlighted, with guided tours, traditional dances, the participation of the municipal band, and a professional Basque pelota festival.
The program offered for children, adolescents, and young people was extensive and varied. The teenagers' meal was successful, and the Senior Citizens' Day created spaces for meeting and leisure. The Farmers' Day reinforced the local character, combining farm products, an exhibition of Limousin cattle, and rural sports. The sports program also had a significant presence, including the Etxaniz Memorial, professional pelota festivals, stone-lifting competitions, and a goitiberas descent.
From the perspective of the Local Police, the assessment of the 2026 San Bartolome Festivals is positive. The number of fights was low, and there were no large-scale disturbances, showing good results compared to previous years. Resources related to prevention, coexistence, and inclusion promoted more open and safer festivals, such as the Gune Morea (Safe Space), the prevention program for public drinking, and information points on substances. The free nighttime taxi service also yielded very positive data.
Finally, sincere thanks are extended to all the individuals and organizations that made the festivals possible: the Municipal Brigade, cleaning services, the Department of Culture, the Local Police, and other involved municipal departments; associations, collectives, sports clubs, gastronomic societies, cultural groups, musicians, artists, ranchers, companies, and volunteers. And especially to the citizens of Elgoibar and the visitors, whose participation helped create the authentic festive atmosphere.
