Bilbao and the Santo Tomás Market become one each year in a unique festivity. On 21st December, citizens take to the streets, completely cramming the Plaza Nueva and the surroundings of El Arenal. Because this is the best opportunity to taste the products of the earth displayed there by more than 200 local farmers: talo (corn tortilla) with chorizo, txakoli, cheese, fruit, cider, honey...
The origin of this market dates back to the 19th century. At that time it was frequent for the tenants of farms in Bizkaia to come to Bilbao on 21st December in order to pay the owners of these properties, who were mostly residents in the city, the rent for the year. In addition to money, the farmers offered them the most valued produce of the land they worked: vegetables, fruit,
capons...
In 1945 the local savings bank, Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK), took on the responsibility of giving the market shape and continuity.
Santo Tomás brings all of the flavours of rural Basque life to Bilbao. Throughout the day, farmers exhibit their animals and it is possible to purchase cheese, ring-shaped pastries, honey, sweets, fruit, vegetables or home-made products. Thousands of people enjoy this popular, pre-Christmas festival, which is held in El Arenal and the Plaza Nueva. In both areas, you can savour a "talo con chorizo" (spicy sausage in a corn tortilla) washed down with "txakoli" (white wine), and enjoy Basque singing, "txalaparta" (Basque wooden percussion instrument), "trikitixa" (Basque diatonic button accordion) and other traditional sounds.