Bilbao Christmas Market 2026: Dates and Opening Hours
The planned and announced dates and opening hours of Bilbao's three Christmas market events in 2026, including the special rules for 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 and 5 January.
Bilbao's Christmas market season in 2026 has three parts. The market in Doña Casilda Park is planned from 4 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, Gabonart runs at Muelle del Arenal from 11 December to 5 January, and Santo Tomás takes place on Monday, 21 December. Both multiweek markets close on 25 December and 1 January. For a quick overview of places and dates, see our page on the Bilbao Christmas market 2026.
The three dates to know
The sources behind these dates differ, and that matters for how firm they are. The park market dates come from Bilbao Ekintza's call for stallholders, a planning document. Gabonart's dates are published by the organising association ARBASO. Santo Tomás was announced by BBK on 19 October 2026.
4 December: planned opening of the Doña Casilda Park market, 17:00-22:00.
11 December: Gabonart begins at Muelle del Arenal and runs until 5 January 2027.
21 December: Santo Tomás farmers' market at Arenal and the surrounding area. Visitor hours were not yet published at the research date.
From 11 December the two multiweek markets overlap, so a trip after that date can include both. The park's later visitor programme takes precedence over the call if changes are published.
Opening hours at Doña Casilda Park
The municipal plan splits the season into two parts. Before 21 December, ordinary weekday trading starts only in the afternoon.
5-20 December: Monday to Thursday 17:00-21:00, Friday 17:00-22:00. Weekends and public holidays 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00, with Sunday closing at 21:00.
From 21 December: Monday to Thursday 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00. Friday, weekends and public holidays 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00, with Sunday closing at 21:00.
24 and 31 December and 5 January: 11:00-14:00 only.
25 December and 1 January: closed.
Even on days with a morning session, the market is not planned to stay open through lunch. The break runs from 14:00 to 17:00.
Opening hours at Gabonart
Gabonart keeps a simpler rhythm. Regular hours are 11:00-14:30 and 17:00-20:30, with a daily closure between the two windows. On 24 and 31 December the fair opens only 11:00-14:30. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
The organiser page reviewed for the guide gave no extra shortening for 5 January. Because the park market finishes at 14:00 on that day, do not assume the same applies to Gabonart. Check the latest notice before the end of the season.
Santo Tomás on Monday, 21 December
Santo Tomás is a one-day agricultural market with its own arrangements. In 2026 it falls on a Monday, so visitors who leave on Sunday will miss it. The organiser names Arenal and the surrounding area as the location. Set your starting time once the visitor hours are published, and keep the rest of that day light.
Note that Santo Tomás markets also take place in other towns. Dates and stall maps from San Sebastián or elsewhere are not Bilbao visitor information.
What these dates do not confirm
The market dates do not confirm a lighting programme, a parade or family attractions. The call places the park stalls beside an illuminated arch, but that does not set switch-on times for the city's Christmas lights. At the research date, no sufficiently verified programme for Olentzero and Mari Domingi had been recorded for this edition. Check those activities separately once they are announced.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bilbao Christmas market open in the morning?
It depends on the date. At the park market, mornings (11:00-14:00) are planned at weekends and on public holidays before 21 December, and every day from 21 December. Gabonart opens at 11:00 on every regular day.
When does the Bilbao Christmas market end?
Both Gabonart and the park market are planned to end on 5 January 2027. The park market closes at 14:00 that day. For Gabonart, check whether the final day has shorter hours.
Is there a Bilbao Christmas market on 26 December?
The guide lists 25 December and 1 January as closing days for both multiweek markets, with no other closures. On other days the regular hours for the period apply, unless the organisers publish changes.
Research status 27 October 2026. Dates, times and prices are planning information from the organisers' and operators' sources; check them again before travelling.
