When & Where: Every year in late November and/or early December in the town of Tolosa. In 2026 from November 21 to 29.
Tolosa International Puppet Festival, commonly known as Titirijai, is one of the most important puppet and visual theatre festivals in Europe. Held every year in late November and early December in the town of Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, the festival transforms the town into an international meeting point for puppeteers, theatre companies, artists, and families from around the world.
The festival was first created in the early 1980s by the Basque puppetry company TOPIC Tolosa and local cultural promoters with the goal of bringing high-quality puppet theatre to the Basque Country. Over the decades, Titirijai has grown into a major international cultural event, attracting companies from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and many other regions.
Unlike festivals focused only on children’s entertainment, Titirijai presents puppetry as a complete artistic discipline capable of combining theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and storytelling. The program usually includes traditional marionettes, shadow theatre, contemporary visual performances, giant puppets, experimental productions, and street shows for audiences of all ages.
Performances take place in theatres, cultural centers, schools, and public spaces throughout Tolosa, creating a lively and creative atmosphere across the town. One of the most distinctive aspects of the festival is the close interaction between artists and audiences, with workshops, exhibitions, conferences, and educational activities accompanying the performances.
The festival is closely linked to Tolosa International Puppet Center (TOPIC), one of the few museums and research centers in Europe dedicated entirely to puppetry arts. Together, the museum and the festival have helped establish Tolosa as an international reference point for puppet theatre.
For visitors, Titirijai offers a unique cultural experience very different from conventional theatre festivals. Since many performances have limited seating, booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for the most popular shows and weekend performances.
More info: https://www.cittolosa.com/titirijai/
Updated on May 10, 2026
