Jaialdi is a vibrant, weeklong celebration of Basque culture held every five years in downtown Boise — home to one of the most concentrated Basque communities in the United States.
First held in 1987 as a one-time event, it quickly became a beloved tradition thanks to overwhelming support. Jaialdi draws 30,000 to 40,000 attendees from around the world every 5 years, making it the largest Basque festival in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world.
The last Jaialdi was scheduled for 2020, but was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking this year’s festival the first in a decade.
Festival events take place across Boise, with a major hub on the city’s Basque Block — a historic downtown district featuring Basque restaurants, a museum, a fronton court, and the Basque Center…