Gabonart - Feria de Artesanía

Gabonart is Bilbao's dedicated Christmas craft fair, now in its 43rd edition as a seasonal institution and its 13th year under the Gabonart name. Held each December and early January along the scenic Muelle del Arenal — just steps from the iconic Arriaga Theatre — the fair transforms one of Bilbao's most beloved riverside promenades into a vibrant showcase of handmade artisan work. Organized by Arbaso, the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Basque Craftsmanship, Gabonart is a celebration of skilled, independent makers who sell directly to the public from a large covered tent, making it a warm and sheltered experience even in winter weather. Visitors can browse stalls offering an impressive range of handcrafted goods: ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, carved wood, textiles, silk painting, felt work, macramé, dried flowers, cosmetics, glasswork, illustration, and handmade toys, among others. Around 54 professional artisans participate each edition, with roughly 14 based in Bilbao itself and many more from across the Basque Country and Spain. The fair draws well over 100,000 visitors each season, with the busiest days regularly exceeding 8,000 attendees. Beyond shopping, Gabonart features craft demonstrations and workshops, giving visitors a chance to see artisans at work. The fair is closed on December 25 and January 1, and operates reduced morning-only hours on December 24 and 31. For an authentic, locally rooted alternative to mass-produced holiday gifts, Gabonart is the ideal stop during a Christmas visit to Bilbao.