Amorebieta-Etxano will host a new edition of the Jokoan board game festival on November 21st and 22nd at the Amorebieta IV fronton in Zelaieta Zentroa. The festival, organized by the Amorebieta-Etxano City Council, will bring together citizens of all ages and offer a variety of game zones, participatory activities, and family-friendly proposals. Admission will be free, and the festival will run on both days from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
This year's edition will place a special emphasis on equality. To this end, a space dedicated to games created by women will be prepared, along with proposals to reflect on gender stereotypes through play. Additionally, there will be a special session of the Gauero youth program and new activities promoting participation and collaboration.
The Jokoan festival will feature three main zones adapted to different ages and interests. The general zone will have 20 game tables, where children aged 8 and over, young people, and adults can discover and try a wide range of board games with the assistance of specialized staff. The game catalog can be consulted via a QR code.
The family zone will have 24 game tables and will be aimed at children aged 4 and over, always accompanied by an adult. Participation will require prior reservation of a table and time slot. Furthermore, each group will receive advice to choose the most suitable games based on the participants' age and preferences. Registration will open on Thursday, November 12th. Reservations can be made by calling 94 630 06 49 or in person at the Youth Information Office in Zelaieta Zentroa. There will also be an option to reserve available tables during the festival days.
The third zone will be the commercial area. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the games they tried at the festival, as well as discover other proposals available on the market.
One of the main innovations of the Jokoan 2026 festival will be the commitment to highlight the work of women in the world of board games. In connection with November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a special space will be dedicated to games created by women and materials designed from a feminist perspective. This space will have its own facilitator, and information about the creator of each game will be provided. Additionally, a female game designer from Bilbao will present a new game to be launched at Christmas, along with other unreleased proposals. The program will also include a feminist game library and a space for prototypes, where various projects, their objectives, and their creators can be explored. Thus, the Jokoan festival aims to combine entertainment and awareness, while recognizing and showcasing the contributions of women in the board game sector.
Another novelty this year will be the integration of the weekly youth program of the town, Gauero, into the festival. On Saturday night, a special session based on cooperative games will be held, where participants will face various shared challenges, with collaboration and teamwork as the main focus.
Furthermore, throughout the weekend, participants can complete a game passport by collecting stamps from different activities. Those who complete the route will enter a raffle for board games. With this new edition, the Amorebieta-Etxano City Council aims to continue promoting new leisure opportunities, fostering intergenerational encounters, coexistence, and citizen participation. It also seeks to reinforce values such as equality, creativity, and collaboration.
