{"id":15535,"date":"2023-03-24T11:35:58","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T10:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/la-feria-del-ultimo-lunes-de-octubre-en-gernika\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T17:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:29:13","slug":"la-feria-del-ultimo-lunes-de-octubre-en-gernika","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/la-feria-del-ultimo-lunes-de-octubre-en-gernika\/","title":{"rendered":"The last Monday of October Fair in Gernika"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you ask someone from Gernika which day of the year they enjoy the most, they will probably answer\u2014without even having to think about it\u2014that it is the Last Monday of October<\/strong>. This day is marked in red on the school calendar, as it is considered a local holiday<\/strong> in Gernika. It is also common for many people who are no longer in school to take the following day off to recover after such an intense and exciting day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a fair<\/strong>\u2014or, as locals in Gernika would proudly call it, a true celebration<\/strong>\u2014that brings together like no other Basque gastronomy, sport, tradition, and culture<\/strong>. That is why it comes as no surprise that the Last Monday of October has endured through the years, preserving all its charm and splendour, and welcoming thousands of visitors every year from across Euskal Herria<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also no coincidence that this event is held in October. Autumn<\/strong> is a season of rich harvests and abundance, when the land offers its best produce and the weather is still pleasant\u2014perfectly balanced between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On that day, music and voices blend with the aroma of food and different traditional drinks, creating a vibrant atmosphere<\/strong> full of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LIVE FROM GERNIKA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Many media outlets <\/strong>change their usual programming on the last Monday of October in order to come to Gernika and broadcast special live <\/strong>morning shows related to this celebration. Stands and tents are set up right in the middle of the festivities, on the streets, to share with those who cannot be here the unique atmosphere of this enriching day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many journalists<\/strong> also walk through the town interviewing<\/strong> both visitors and the producers, artisans and farmers selling their goods at the market stalls. How much are the beans being sold for?<\/strong> What products are selling the most? <\/strong>What are visitors carrying in their shopping bags? Have they noticed the rise in prices? How much will the half cheese go for at the auction? Where can you find the tastiest talo?<\/strong> There are many questions, many answers, and plenty of humour and spontaneity among the interviewers, as the festive spirit fills the streets and people are eager to celebrate and share their opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AN AGRICULTURAL FAIR, A TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL AND THE BIGGEST DAY IN GERNIKA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This agricultural fair is undoubtedly the most important one of the year: a day of great significance, where all kinds of local products<\/strong> are displayed by farmers and producers from across the Basque Country. The stalls are set up a few days in advance, creating anticipation and lifting the spirits of everyone who looks forward to what is about to come. Unlikely the weekly Monday market<\/a><\/strong> held in the square, this massive fair spreads throughout the entire town centre,<\/strong> making the celebration even greater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Basque gastronomy<\/strong> would not make sense without the privileged geography that surrounds us, so rich in edible natural resources<\/strong>. That is why it is easy to understand why we are such strong defenders of high-quality ingredients<\/strong>, local produce, and the remarkable work of our farmers and producers. During the Last Monday of October Fair, the role of baserritarras<\/em> (traditional Basque farmers) and winemakers <\/strong>is celebrated in a truly unique festive atmosphere, while traditional Basque products are honoured through a wide variety of exquisite delicacies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this day, what we truly celebrate is our culture: a land of deep-rooted traditions, distinctive folklore<\/strong>, and a character shaped through generations of rural life and work. It is an ideal date to keep in mind for anyone wishing to experience the essence of Basque traditions<\/strong> in a purely festive setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, after two years without being able to hold the event, and coinciding with the All Saints\u2019 Day long weekend, the weather was excellent and an attendance record was reached, with around 125,000 people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHAT YOU CAN TASTE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For visitor's enjoyment, the gastronomic offer<\/strong> is extensive throughout the fair, both for purchase and for on-the-spot tasting<\/strong>. Most stalls provide small samples, constantly replenished, to showcase their products and attract potential customers. You can try cheese, bread, Basque cake, p\u00e2t\u00e9, gildas, preserves, cider, txakoli wine, honey, <\/strong>fruits, and many other products from across Euskal Herria. In the txosnas<\/em> area, the traditional treat is a talo<\/strong>, which can be enjoyed with chorizo, txistorra, bacon, cheese, pork loin, or even chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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