The Zubia festivals are just around the corner, and from July 24 to 31, the neighborhood streets will be filled with an unbeatable atmosphere. Events are designed for the enjoyment of both young and old, with music, dance, and various other activities.
The festivities will kick off on Friday, July 24, with a txupinazo (firecracker) at 7:00 PM in the main square. Following this, accompanied by the group Iruzta, the opening of the txosnas (food and drink stalls) will take place. At 8:45 PM, a popular dinner is organized, and the organizers remind attendees to prepare their best costumes. After dinner, the romería (traditional music and dance) by the group Itzal will get everyone dancing.
Saturday will be the main day, the Day of Santiago. The day will begin at 9:00 AM with a diana (morning music procession) by the Donostia Txistulari Band. At 11:00 AM, there will be a High Mass, followed by a mid-morning snack distributed by the Yoko Garbi Association to fuel up for the soka-dantza (traditional dance). In the afternoon, at 6:00 PM, there will be a challenge and a parade of cabezudos (large-headed figures). In the evening, romerías by Laket and a set by DJ Txolas will keep the plaza lively.
Sunday, July 26, starting at 11:30 AM, will feature a cider tasting, where attendees can sample and choose the best cider from various Basque Country cider houses. At 2:00 PM, the seniors will enjoy a special lunch at the Yoko Garbi Association. In the afternoon, at 6:00 PM, the II mountain race, Andatzara Igoera, will begin. Afterwards, there will be a sardine and pepper feast, followed by cabezudos, to regain energy after the sports activities. To conclude, at 7:30 PM, a bertso-saio (improvised Basque poetry performance) will be held with bertsolaris Andoni Egaña, Alaia Martin, Eneko Lazkoz, and Iñigo Mantzizidor 'Mantxi', with Zortzitan Bertso Eskola as the presenter.
Throughout the week, special days will be celebrated: seniors will have their day on the 26th, chicken collectors on the 28th, and children on the 29th. For the children, a day full of games has been organized, including a chocolate distribution and a parade of giants and cabezudos by the Usurbil Giants' Troupe at 6:00 PM.
On July 30, a Yoko Garbi exhibition for young people will take place at noon, starting at 12:00 PM. In the afternoon, there will be a mus tournament (4:00 PM) and a scything challenge (6:00 PM). In the evening, a zikiro (lamb) dinner at 8:30 PM will warm up the atmosphere, followed by the electro-charanga Zutik, Trikidantzek, and DJ Viduk, who will keep people awake and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
The festivals will conclude on July 31, starting the day with the 10:30 AM mass and a game of rebote (Basque pelota variant) between the residents of Zubia. In the afternoon, trikitilaris Izer and Alabier will liven up Zubia. At 8:30 PM, the chicken collectors' dinner will be held at the Bugati restaurant. Finally, the last fireworks display and the emptying of the txosnas will mark the end of the celebrations.
