Olentzero and Mari Domingi have a lively agenda at night before gifts are delivered
The main events of Olentzero and Mari Domingi will be held in Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Pamplona, with receptions, urban tours and horseback rides.
Before leaving for all the houses of the Basque Country, Olentzero and Mari Domingi will be in different parts of the Basque Country. Direct meetings with citizens, street walks and large parades will complete the Christmas Eve program.
Bilbo
In the Byzantine capital, the traditional reception will take place at the Arriaga Theatre. The meeting with the children will take place from 11:00 to 14:00.
To ensure orderly entry and minimize waiting times, it is accessed through a shift system with previously purchased free tickets.
During the reception, Olentzero and Mari Domingi will receive letters in hand and listen to the wishes of the young people, hours before they start working as houses in the city.
San Sebastian
In San Sebastian, Olentzero and Mari Domingi will arrive at the Plaza de la Constitución at 12:00, and after greeting the children, they will begin a walk through the streets of the city.
Following the tradition of the last few years, Donostiarras over the age of 6 have been invited to ride their bikes. The tour will run through different neighborhoods, from the Old Town to Loiola, via the Boulevard, Zorroaga or Paseo de Antzieta.
During the tour, they will be assisted by the Galtzagorris and woodcutters, who will also take part in the afternoon parade. The organizers invite participants to attend, preferably in peasant clothes or some Christmas supplement.
Vitoria.
Olentzero and Mari Domingi return to Vitoria-Gasteiz with their traditional ride, consisting of four chariots, including a magical forest dedicated to Mari Domingi and Olentzero, and one last to distribute candy.
The parade will be attended by about 400 people, including the mythological dolls of the Indarra Association, the theatre group Cal y Canto with the travelling show "Wind Garden - The Wind Garden", the Joaldunak of Judimendi, dancers, shepherds, charcoal companies, the Comparsa de Gigantes y Cabezudos, Gargantua and Galtzagorris.
The tour will depart from the Iparralde Civic Center and continue through the Portal de Legutiano, France, La Paz, Olaguibel and Mateo Moraza, arriving at the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca at 7:00 p.m., a farewell from the Balcony of San Miguel and the delivery of roasted chestnuts.
Iruña
In Pamplona, the traditional Olentzero parade will arrive at 7.30 p.m. at the Town Hall Square, where it will be received by members of the Corporation, with Mayor Joseba Asiron at the head.
The choir Muthiko Alaiak will accompany, while the moments prior to the event will be threatened by the municipal band La Pamplonesa from 19:00. The repertoire will include traditional songs of the time such as Olentzero, Mari Domingi, Hator-hator o Mesias Maiz.
In addition, the City Hall mailbox will be open so that children can leave their last-minute letters.
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