KCBC 52nd Annual Basque Festival
MAY 23 – 24, 2026
COME JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND OF FUN!
BESTA! BESTA! BESTA!
Friday, May 22, 2026
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Karmele Film Screening (in Euskara with English subtitles) followed by Q&A with Director Asier Altuna @ California State University, Bakersfield Dore Theatre sponsored by CSUB Institute for Basque Studies
Karmele tells a story of resilience and dignity in the face of oppression during the Spanish Civil War. Based on the real life experiences of Karmele Urresti and Txomin Letamendi, and inspired by the novel Elkarrekin Esnatzeko Ordua (Time to Wake Up Together) by Kirmen Uribe, Karmele is grounded in Basque experience on both sides of the border. The film traces the life of a nurse forced into exile in France. There, she falls in love with a trumpet player and together they build a family as they navigate exile in Paris, Caracas, and ultimately back in Bilbao.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
8:00 a.m. – Mus Tournament ($40 per player- includes lunch)
1st Place Team – $500
2nd Place Team – $250
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.- Lunch: Barbeque Chicken Lunch: Adults: $25 Children: $20
2:00 p.m. – Local Handball Games
4:30 p.m. – Pelotaris from Euskadi
Sunday, May 24, 2026
8:00 a.m. – Park opens
10:00 a.m. – Mass by Aita Antton Egiguren OFM & Deacon Fred Ansolabehere with
KCBC Klika and Choir
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – BBQ Lamb Lunch – Adults: $40; Honorary Members: $35; Children 12 & under: $25
2:30 p.m. – Performances by KCBC Dance Groups and Klika
5:00 p.m. – Lukainka/Ham & Cheese Sandwiches – $14
5:00 p.m. – Pelota/Handball game – Pelotaris from Euskadi
7:00 p.m. – Dance by Luhartz from Euskadi
8:30 p.m. – Drawing – $5 a ticket or 5 tickets for $20
- 1st Place Prize – $1000 cash
- 2nd Place Prize – $500 cash
- 3rd Place Prize – $250 cash
Monday, May 25, 2026
- Basque Breakfast at Wool Growers
Pelota Players from Euskadi
We are thrilled to announce the pelotaris (handball players) from Euskadi for the pelota games on Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th.
• Javier Oscoz
• Hegoi Txoperena
• Aitor Alduntzin
• Unax Apeztegia
We would like to thank Fernando Goñi with the Federación Navarra de Pelota Vasca for organizing an incredible group of athletes again this year. Don’t miss the action and competition!
Looking for a Hotel
Double Tree By Hilton (661-323-7111)
$125/night +tax
Use code: 967
Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center (661-565-9320)
$
$
Use code