The Espelette Pepper Festival

Every year, the town of Espelette in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques celebrates its local condiment. The Espelette Pepper Festival takes place on the last weekend of October and offers colorful Basque country-themed activities.

A party that is full of excitement.

The "Fête du piment" in Espelette is one of the most beautiful festivals in the Basque Country. This village, known as the capital of chili pepper, celebrates its AOP condiment every year in October.

The festivities take place on the last weekend of October, unless Sunday falls on the eve of All Saints' Day: in this case, the festival is moved forward by one week.

This festival, which marks the end of the harvest of the famous peppers, has been organized since 1968!

It is an opportunity for producers to showcase their harvest and for restaurateurs to cook delicious dishes spiced with a touch of Espelette pepper, of course!

Typically Basque animations

This event, with the colors of the Basque Country, has gained popularity over the years and now attracts over 20,000 visitors from all over France.

The Piment Festival traditionally includes: a solemn mass in the Basque language with the blessing of the peppers, a procession of the Brotherhood of Piment d'Espelette, and an induction ceremony for new members, concerts by bands, Basque strength games, a game of bare-handed pelota, and large country banquets.

Of course, you can also buy peppers (in garlands or powder) and regional products at a large gastronomic fair.

Edition 2023

The Pepper Festival will take place in Espelette on October 28th to 29th, 2023.

Here is the detailed program of this gourmet and festive event.

SATURDAY

12:00 PM - Tasting at the rope workshop at the Syndicat du Piment d'Espelette
3:30 PM - Basque dances with Ezpela at the fronton
4:00 PM - Gourmet snack at the rope workshop at the Syndicat du Piment d'Espelette
5:30 PM - Concert with the men's choir Ezpeletan Kantuz - Saint-Etienne church
8:00 PM - Popular dinner with entertainment served under the covered market halls

Reservation on site starting from 12:00 PM (Garbure, Axoa, Basque cake...)

SUNDAY

10:00 AM - Solemn mass with the Espelette choir and the Ezpeletarrak brass band, blessing of the peppers.
11:00 AM - Parade of brotherhoods in the streets.
12:00 PM - Intronization ceremony, "presentation of the 2022 pepper award" to Camille Lopez
12:30 PM - Aperitif-meal in all the bars and restaurants of the town
1:00 PM - Gala meal for the brotherhoods

Afternoon: Bandas Festival

3:30 PM - Les Makilaris at the fronton

All day: gastronomic fair, sale of peppers and regional products

Access:

Shuttle service from Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Souraïde golf course, Espelette campsite, Cambo-les-Bains bus station, or Erreka farm in Itxassou. Fare: €2 to €2.5 per trip.

Opening hours: Saturday - 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Opening hours: Sunday - 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM