Santo Tomás Marks the Beginning of Christmas in Bilbao

IF YOU’RE VISITING BILBAO ON 21ST DECEMBER, THE SANTO TOMÁS FAIR IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE OUR CULTURE FIRST-HAND.

WHAT IS SANTO TOMÁS?

The Santo Tomás fair is a market where you can taste and buy typical Basque products. Throughout the day, baserritarras (local farmers) showcase their animals, cheeses, doughnuts, sweets, fruits, vegetables, txakoli, talos, crafts… all to the sound of traditional music such as txalaparta, trikitixa, bertsos and other folk sounds.

ORIGIN OF SANTO TOMÁS

It comes from an old custom where Basque farmers would sell their goods in the capital.

During the 19th century, baserritarras from all over Bizkaia often came come to Bilbao to pay their yearly farmhouse rents and sell their products – a tradition that continues to this day.

WHEN IS SANTO TOMÁS?

We celebrate it every year on 21st December, with stalls and txosnas set up in Plaza Nueva and around El Arenal.

Santo Tomás brings all the flavour of the baserri (farmhouse) to Bilbao.

WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS AT SANTO TOMÁS

A bottle of txakoli/cider: buy one at a stall, where they’ll give you cups so you can enjoy it while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Talo: the perfect street food to eat standing up.
A corn flatbread rolled around a piece of chorizo or chistorra. In recent years, you can even find vegetarian and vegan versions.

The market: a wander around the market is a must – take in the colours and scents of everything our land has to offer, from fruits and vegetables to cheeses, meat, sweets and crafts.

Visiting Santo Tomás without trying a talo would be a crime.

Animal fair: throughout the day, you’ll see local livestock like chickens, pigs, cows and oxen.

Music and folklore: food aside, enjoy the unique musical culture that livens up the fair. Discover our bertsolaris (poets who improvise verses in Basque), trikitilaris (accordionists) and txalapartaris (percussionists).

Santo Tomás by night: though the market ends in the evening, the party continues into the night across the Old Quarter.

Santo Tomás with children: you’ll be pleased to know that the fair offers plenty of family-friendly activities – crafts, games to learn about farm work and animal care, how to grow your own garden…

Santo Tomás is perfect to enjoy our wonderful folk culture.

HOW TO GET TO THE SANTO TOMÁS MARKET

If you’re not staying nearby, you can use any public transport to get there. The Abando and Casco Viejo metro stops are just a few minutes away from El Arenal. Trams and Bizkaibus also stop nearby.

And if you’re looking for a place to stay in Bilbao, check out our hotel in the Old Quarter – it’s close to everything and fully soundproofed so you can enjoy a good night’s rest.

Also, Batimont Suites & Apartments is just a five-minute walk from El Arenal, in the Abando area.