Antxua Eguna, Anchovy Day in Getaria

Antxua Eguna — Anchovy Day — is a gastronomic festival held on the first Friday of May in Getaria, a town on the Basque coast with a strong fishing tradition. Its aim is to promote the consumption of anchovy and txakoli, highlight the value of the local fishing industry, and recognise the work of those employed in it.

The day combines technical and educational activities — talks on anchovy, guided visits to the fish market and to several canning factories — with a festive, gastronomic dimension. Throughout the day, visitors can sample anchovy prepared grilled, fried and salted, always paired with txakoli, alongside lunch and other meals.

The festival is enlivened by performances from dantzaris (traditional dancers) and txistularis (traditional flute players), bringing a musical and cultural dimension to the celebration. Antxua Eguna reflects Getaria's fishing identity and its connection to txakoli, two central elements of Basque coastal gastronomic culture, in a day that unites local produce, craft and tradition.