The Espelette pepper festival, the unmissable village festival!

The Espelette Pepper Festival is an unforgettable event in southwest France, a great reason to celebrate surrounded by thousands of visitors, tourists, curious onlookers, and especially locals. Every year, the charming little village of Espelette celebrates the end of the harvest of its famous pepper with the Espelette Pepper Festival on the last weekend of October. Come and experience a unique moment in the Basque Country in the heart of autumn!

The Espelette pepper festival, a village festival not to be missed

Ah, the famous Espelette pepper! This powerful and generous ingredient, the undisputed star of Basque cuisine, enhances local gastronomy on a daily basis and the refined recipes of the greatest chefs around the world.

Every year, Espelette pepper takes center stage on the last weekend of October. This vibrant festival is a must-see culinary event in the Basque Country. In a picturesque setting, nestled among the mountains and hills, the facades of traditional red and green half-timbered houses proudly display strings of fresh bunches of red peppers drying in the sun. The village is alive with celebration, joy, and good cheer! Share warm moments and savor local Basque products in a festive and convivial atmosphere.

The Espelette Pepper Festival, a colourful program to discover every year

A full program is planned, featuring street bands, Basque choir concerts, and demonstrations of Basque dances and pelota. A solemn mass with the Espelette choir is held to bless the peppers. The ancient brotherhoods of Espelette pepper parade through the village streets in traditional costumes. The induction ceremony into the Brotherhood of Espelette Pepper and the presentation of the Pepper of the Year award are highlights of the festival, celebrating unique expertise.

The Espelette Pepper Festival promises a convivial atmosphere and shared experiences. Enjoy the farmers' and artisans' market, admire the performances of the " makilaris " who wield traditional walking sticks with incredible skill. Attend the numerous street concerts and indulge in the gourmet menus featuring Espelette peppers at the restaurants !

Program for the Espelette Pepper Festival 2026

Saturday, October 24, 2026

The famous chili pepper is sold all day long, displayed on stalls alongside local and regional products. Keep your eyes and ears open, the Bandas Festival parades through the streets, creating a festive and convivial atmosphere.

• 3:30 pm : Local traditions are in the spotlight with Basque dance performances, interpreted by artists like Ezpela.
• 5 p.m.: Emotion spreads through the streets of the village when the concert of the Ezpeletan Kantuz men's choir begins at the Saint-Étienne church.
• 8pm : Enjoy a delicious local dinner served to the rhythm of the evening's entertainment, under the covered market halls (with broadcast of the Rugby World Cup final, according to the program announced).

Sunday, October 25, 2026

• 10am: The day begins with the solemn mass with the Espelette choir and the Ezpeletarrak brass band, followed by the blessing of the peppers.
• 11am: Discover an unmissable tradition, that of the parade of brotherhoods in the streets, a moment rich in emotion and full of colour.
• 12pm: Induction ceremony of new members of the Brotherhood of Espelette Pepper and presentation of the "pepper prize" of the year.
• 12:30pm: Share a friendly moment in all the bars and restaurants of the city, around an aperitif or a meal to taste the local specialties.
• 1 p.m.: It's lunchtime for the brotherhoods after parading.
• In the afternoon: Bandas Festival, then at 3:30 pm Makilaris show at the fronton.
• All day: food fair, sale of peppers and regional products.

Espelette Pepper Festival: some practical information

Every year, the town of Espelette attracts thousands of visitors eager to experience this traditional local event. Needless to say, finding accommodation isn't always easy ! The best approach is to plan ahead and book your stay as early as possible. Whether you're looking for campsites, bed and breakfasts, hotels, or guesthouses, contact them promptly for information, and wait until the last weekend of October to enjoy this magnificent Espelette pepper festival that brings the village streets to life each year.

Shuttle services are also available to make getting around easier, departing from:

• Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle ;
• Church of Souraïde ;
• Cambo-les-Bains bus station;
• Erreka Farm in Itxassou ;
• Larressorre...

The production of Espelette pepper

In Espelette and the nine villages of Labourd (Souraide, Jatxou, Larressore, Itxassou, Ainhoa, Cambo-les-Bains, Halsou, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, and Ustaritz), autumn signals the end of the Espelette pepper harvest. Beginning in August, the harvest will conclude in December. Among the producers of this renowned spice, there is a flurry of activity. After the harvest, the task ahead is demanding. The harvested peppers must meet the precise criteria of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): healthy, unblemished fruits, 100% red, with a regular conical shape and a size ranging from 7 to 14 cm! These requirements compel local producers to work with the utmost care and respect time-honored techniques.

The chili peppers must first be sorted and trimmed by hand before being oven-dried to ensure they are completely dry. The peppers dehydrate slowly and develop aromas reminiscent of tomato, bell pepper, toast, and other flavors. After baking, the chili peppers are ground into a powder and packaged in bags before being submitted for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) approval.

In Espelette and the villages that cultivate Espelette peppers, producers readily open their farms to visitors. They are delighted to share their passion for the pepper, from cultivation and hand -harvesting to drying and grinding. A fascinating discovery of a vibrant and authentic tradition passed down from generation to generation!

The Espelette Pepper PDO

Originally from Mexico, the Espelette pepper of the " Gorria " variety was imported to the Basque Country in the 16^th century. It arrived in the village of Espelette in 1650.

Since then, it has been cultivated on sloping, sunny plots, in the heart of a privileged natural environment, nestled in the hills and ridges that form a vast cirque. A very specific area, benefiting from a microclimate, meets the criteria of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée around Espelette, delimited to the north by a succession of ridges, to the west by the Nivelle valley, to the south and east by the peaks between Mount Ursuya and Mount Ereby.

Espelette pepper is the only French spice with a protected designation of origin (PDO). Since 2000, thanks to the initiatives of producers, the AOC and AOP designations guarantee consumers the exceptional nature of the product, its flavor, and its origin. This recognition is valid at both the national and European levels. To obtain the five-year certification, producers submit samples of their peppers, which undergo rigorous testing according to the very strict specifications of the Espelette Pepper PDO. A local product that is a source of great pride for producers and delights visitors' palates all year round!

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