The iconic Bilbao music festival returns for a 20th edition from July 9th to 11th and the line-up suggests it’s going to be another cracker.
Here is some practical advice with everything you need to bear in mind when going to BBK Live in terms of dates, location, transport and purchasing tickets, as well as some insider tips for making the most of your stay in Bilbao.
*We’ll keep updating this page as BBK unveil more details, so check in every now and then.
BBK Live 2026 line-up
BBK Live have released a star-studded early line-up for this year’s edition with Robbie Williams, David Byrne, Lily Allen, Calvin Harris and Alabama Shakes the most major names on this year’s bill.
No doubt, over the coming months the festival’s organisers will unveil more details and more huge acts as they sure up this year’s bill.
The festival regularly attracts huge names, with massive bands and artists in previous editions including the likes of Kneecap, Rosalía, Florence and the Machine, Arctic Monkeys, The Killer, Fleet Foxes, Noel Gallagher, Mumford and Sons, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, among many others.
Tickets and prices
At present, three-day weekend passes, without camping, are on sale for €180. A weekend pass with camping included costs €218.
A special group pass is also available in which you can purchase six tickets for the price of five, coming to €133 per head.
What’s more, a separate ‘campsite access’ pass costs €38.
Day passes have been priced at around €65 plus booking fees.
All tickets are being sold via the Fever ticketing platform. Keep checking in, as prices may fluctuate before the event begins.
Dates and location
This year the festival will take place from Thursday July 9th until Saturday July 11th on Kobetamendi (Kobeta Mountain) above Bilbao, the same location as always.
The BBK Live campsite normally opens the Wednesday before the festival begins and closes the Sunday after the final night.
Transport
The festival arranges a free shuttle bus service from the Wednesday afternoon until Sunday morning, making regular trips up and down the mountain.
The Bilbao shuttle departs from Basurto Kaputxinoen Kalea, behind the EITB building, and drops passengers off slightly downhill from the BBK Live site. Expect long queues of people waiting for the bus.
For those staying in Barakaldo, a bus leaves from close to the BEC building, next to the Ansio metro station.
If you don’t feel like waiting around, BBK Live do organise private buses from Thursday to Saturday, which cost €3.50 for a ticket.
There is also a public bus, the no.58, which leaves from Atxuri and goes through Casco Viejo before travelling along Calle Autonomia and then winding its way up to Kobeta. More info here.
For the keen hikers among you, Kobetamendi is a steep, but relatively short hike from Bilbao city centre. For example, starting from San Mames stadium, the walk up should take around 30-45 minutes, if that.
There are many routes up, but perhaps the most simple one is this: Follow Luis Briñas Kalea up to Basurto. Go around the Iparralde municipal football stadium, either follow the road to your left, or head right for the lifts. Go past the Basurto Day Centre and follow Masutegi Estrata straight up until it meets Kobeta Kalea – don’t forget to look behind for extraordinary views of the city and its surrounding mountains. Turn right and follow the road past the Cervecera Cobeta and keep going until you get to the festival entrance. Easy peasy.
Practical advice
You will need to pick up your festival wristband at a specific pick-up point in Bilbao, normally Sala BBK (located on Gran Via) or San Mames Stadium. You will NOT be let into the venue without your wristband. Only YOU can pick up your wristband, NOBODY else can collect it in your name, so make sure you take ID when you go to get it.
BBK Live is a cashless festival. You’re wristband acts as a digital wallet, which can be topped up online or via ‘top-up stations’ dotted around the festival site.
The festival tries to maintain sustainable, eco-friendly practices. One of the main parts of this is reusable plastic cups. You normally have to pay a couple of euros for the cup, but the money is refunded if you return it at the end of the festival.
PREPARE FOR RAIN – In July the daytime weather at the festival should be warm and sunny, but night time lightning storms are a common aspect of Bilbao summers. Bring wellies and a poncho… just in case.
Take a look at our a specific guide for dealing with Bilbao’s notorious rain.
First time in Bilbao guide
If you’re coming to BBK Live 2026 and it will be your first visit to our wonderful city, we recommend you read through our guide for Bilbao newbies.
It contains some basic information on public transport, Basque culture, the weather, accommodation and e-sim deals.
Check out Bilbao Insider’s different sections for more detailed information about the city.
Accommodation: five-star hotels to the budget hostels.
Food & Drink: pintxos, must-try Basque dishes and best bars.
Transport: guides on Bilbao Airport, buses and the metro.
Beyond Bilbao: plan a day trip outside of Bilbao.
