For many visitors, especially first-timers, attending the massive, weeklong Jaialdi 2025 festival in Boise, Idaho will be a daunting experience. There’s so much to do in so little time.
But not to worry—we got you covered.
Here’s a guide on getting the best out of Jaialdi from the Euskal Kazeta team, which has attended nearly every Jaialdi festival since it began in 1987. (Make sure to check out our Jaialdi 2025 Schedule with all the official events and other happenings celebrating Basque culture.)
Start Slow
Jaialdi 2025 will be a six-day celebration from Tuesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 3.
The pace is typically slower on the Basque Block on the first two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, with music, dance, food and drinks only in the evenings after 5 p.m. This is a perfect time to enjoy the fun atmosphere on the block without the bigger crowds that show up later in the week.
Food and Restaurants
Some of our favorite food items from the food booths are the kroketas and solomo sandwiches. Or check out the paella at the Basque Market, which also serves a great sangria.
Remember—temperatures in Boise this time of year are typically in the 90s and even low 100s, so bring water, a good cap and sunblock during the days.
Here are the Basque restaurants in town.
The Basque Market serves bite-sized pintxos, which are small platters featuring chorizo, cheeses and other foods. The market also prepares paella that it sells by the bowl, cooked outside in a massive paella pan.
Bar Gernika is a small tavern with a good selection of beers and cider and Basque bar food such as kroketas. It’s a fun place to hang out with friends.
Leku Ona is a fine dining establishment that serves Basque-themed lunch and dinner. You can get lamb sandwiches and plates such as txipirones en su tinta, which is squid in its ink, a popular dish in the Basque Country.
Ansots is just off the Basque Block and a must-visit eatery. This place has a laid-back vibe and they specialize in a variety of homemade Basque txorizos.
Epi’s Restaurant – This welcoming and authentic Basque restaurant is only a 15-minute drive from the Basque Block
Historical and Cultural Spots
We highly recommend a visit to the country’s only Basque Museum, which is located on the Basque Block. The historic Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House next door is part of the museum. This is a former Basque boardinghouse with decor in the style from that era.
Another historic building on the block worth checking out is the Anduiza boardinghouse (608 W. Grove St.). This place was built by the Anduiza family in 1914 and the handball court dating from that time is still in use. Games will be played there all week long by women athletes from professional leagues from the Basque Country. The games earlier in the week are typically less crowded, but the championship rounds on Thursday will be packed.
The Basque Center (601 Grove St.) will be live streaming all the handball games. This is a great cultural venue with a large indoor space and a bar where you can grab a drink and mingle with Basques who will be speaking their ancient language known as Euskera.
Basque Country Performers
The Basque Country rock band Gatibu and trikitilari (accordionist) Xabi Aburruzaga will joining local Basque American band Amuma Says No, adding to the fun during the street dances on the Basque Block Thursday and Sunday nights. These are fun-packed events with crowds dancing to traditional and contemporary Basque music.
Athletic teams from the Basque Country will be exhibiting their strength at Thursday’s popular Sports Night at the Idaho Central Arena. Basque athletes will engage in “herri kirolak” or rural sports, feats of strength that trace their roots in farm jobs like chopping wood, lifting wagons and pulling hay bales. For those of you who can’t make this event, some of these athletes will be showing off at Expo Idaho during the weekend.
On the Weekend
All the activity moves to Expo Idaho during the daytime on Saturday and Sunday. There will be cultural, dance and music performances, sports competitions and an exhibition of sheep wagons, as well as booths featuring food, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Tickets will be sold at the gate, but can also be purchased online.
Writer Nancy Zubiri and photographer Jon Hodgson will be signing copies of their photo book, “Jaialdi: A Celebration of Basque Culture” both Saturday and Sunday. Read more here.
Dantzaldi on Saturday night at the Idaho Central Arena promises to be fun, with music from Amuma Says No, Gatibu and accordionist Xabi Aburruzaga. Buy tickets here.
