The San Juan festivities in Urrestilla have not been dampened by the heat. Although the celebrations will officially commence on the eve of San Juan, this past weekend has already seen a variety of musical and sporting events.
At midday, starting at 12:00 PM, the main event was a demonstration of herri kirolak (Basque rural sports) in the town square. Olaia Esnaola and Xabier Aranburu Guzta participated in stone lifting (harri jasotzen), while Eneko Otaño and Mikel Larrañaga showcased their skills in wood chopping (aizkoran). Following their exhibitions, young locals competed in activities such as gathering bundles of straw (lokotx biltzen), sack races (zaku lasterketak), and tug-of-war (sokatira), divided into two teams. Despite the high temperatures at noon, a large crowd gathered to enjoy the events.
Music will also feature prominently in today's program. Naizena, Modus Operandi, and Fury DJ will perform on the main stage starting at 9:30 PM. For those wishing to enjoy the concerts and the nighttime atmosphere, the Town Council has arranged a special bus service. Buses will depart from Azpeitia to Urrestilla at 8:40 PM and 10:30 PM, with return services scheduled for 1:30 AM, 3:30 AM, and 6:00 AM. The council has assured that as many trips as necessary will be made to ensure continuous service.
Tomorrow, Sunday, Urrestilla will take a break, and the festive program will resume on Monday. The schedule prepared for the upcoming days is as follows:
Today, Saturday
- 9:30 PM. Concerts: Naizena, Modus Operandi, Fury DJ.
June 22, Monday
- 10:00 AM. Mountain walk to Loreto, with trikitilaris (Basque accordion players).
- 5:30 PM. Children's corner with Gukarekin.
June 23, Tuesday. San Juan's Eve
- 9:00 PM. Proclamation and opening fireworks.
- Afterwards, popular town dinner.
- 12:00 AM. Erection of the San Juan tree.
- 12:30 AM. Lighting of the San Juan bonfire and dancing around it.
- Following, a romería (traditional Basque festival) with the group Laket.
June 24, Wednesday. San Juan's Day
- 11:00 AM. Street parade of young trikitilaris, with giants and big-heads.
- 11:45 AM. Azpeitia Municipal Band.
- 12:00 PM. Solemn Mass.
- 1:00 PM. Giants and big-heads.
- 8:00 PM. Concerts: Aiama, Fan&Go, and Indate DJ.
June 25, Thursday. San Juan Txiki Day (Little San Juan)
- 12:30 PM. Sagardoa (cider tasting).
- 2:00 PM-2:45 PM. Registration for the mus tournament.
- 3:15 PM. Mus tournament.
- 4:00 PM. Inflatables.
- 5:30 PM. Children's snack.
June 26, Friday, Third day of San Juan
- 5:00 PM. Children's games.
- 6:30 PM. Potato omelette competition.
- Afterwards, burial of the tree.
- 9:30 PM. Concerts: Naizena, Modus Operandi, Fury DJ.
June 22, Monday
- 10:00 AM. Mountain walk to Loreto, with trikitilaris (Basque accordion players).
- 5:30 PM. Children's corner with Gukarekin.
June 23, Tuesday. San Juan's Eve
- 9:00 PM. Proclamation and opening fireworks.
- Afterwards, popular town dinner.
- 12:00 AM. Erection of the San Juan tree.
- 12:30 AM. Lighting of the San Juan bonfire and dancing around it.
- Following, a romería (traditional Basque festival) with the group Laket.
June 24, Wednesday. San Juan's Day
- 11:00 AM. Street parade of young trikitilaris, with giants and big-heads.
- 11:45 AM. Azpeitia Municipal Band.
- 12:00 PM. Solemn Mass.
- 1:00 PM. Giants and big-heads.
- 8:00 PM. Concerts: Aiama, Fan&Go, and Indate DJ.
June 25, Thursday. San Juan Txiki Day (Little San Juan)
- 12:30 PM. Sagardoa (cider tasting).
- 2:00 PM-2:45 PM. Registration for the mus tournament.
- 3:15 PM. Mus tournament.
- 4:00 PM. Inflatables.
- 5:30 PM. Children's snack.
June 26, Friday, Third day of San Juan
- 5:00 PM. Children's games.
- 6:30 PM. Potato omelette competition.
- Afterwards, burial of the tree.
