When & Where: 6 days, from the 4th to the 9th of August.
The Fiestas de la Virgen Blanca are the main celebrations of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Álava, and one of the most traditional festivals in the Basque Country. Held every year around the 5th of August, the festivities honour the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of the White Virgin (La Virgen Blanca). Deeply rooted in local culture, the event combines religious devotion, popular entertainment, and community participation, transforming the historic centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz into a lively setting for several days of continuous celebration.
The festival officially begins on August 4th with the famous Celedón descent in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. At exactly six o’clock in the evening, a figure representing Celedón, a symbolic Basque farmer, descends by rope from the church tower to the square, marking the start of the festivities. As the crowd dressed in traditional white clothing with green scarves celebrates with songs and wine, the city enters into a festive spirit that continues day and night.
During the following days, the Fiestas de la Virgen Blanca offer a varied programme of concerts, parades, traditional Basque dances, fireworks, children’s activities, and religious processions in honour of the Virgin. The streets and squares of the old town fill with music, food stalls, and local associations that organise open-air gatherings. The txosnas, or festive tents, are a key part of the event, hosting performances and providing meeting points for both residents and visitors.
A highlight of the celebration is the procession of the Virgin Blanca, which takes place on August 5th and attracts thousands of participants. Other popular elements include traditional competitions such as Basque rural sports (herri kirolak) and blusas and neskas parades, where local groups parade in costume to the rhythm of brass bands.
The festival concludes with the Celedón’s farewell on August 9th, when the symbolic figure ascends again to the church tower, signalling the end of the celebrations until the following year.
Posted on November 3, 2025
