Festivities of the Virgin Blanca (Vitoria-Gasteiz)Andre Maria Zuriaren Jaiak
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Spain
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🎟 Free entry
FestivalAtlas
A major annual festival in early August honoring the Virgin Blanca, the patroness of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The week-long celebration begins with a ceremonial Txupinazo rocket launch and the animated 'Zeledon' descent from the San Miguel church belfry. The city wears white in her honor as there are parades (gigantes and cabezudos), daily concerts (pop, rock, folk), traditional dance performances, and communal activities. Religious observances and a grand procession of the Virgin mark the festive week.
Deeply embedded in Vitorian civic and religious tradition since the mid-20th century, this event blends devotional ceremonies with secular street parties. It reflects the city’s identity and history, dating back to the establishment of the Virgin Blanca as patroness after the Spanish Civil War.
Venues and routes
Plaza de la Virgen Blanca · Vitoria-Gasteiz
The dates that shape the visit.
Mon, Aug 4
Thousands of locals and visitors gather in the main square to witness the rocket launch and join in cheering.
Families and children watch from the plaza as Zeledon makes his descent, a joyous and unique spectacle of the festival.
Reference notes for once this becomes a real plan.
Very high crowds