Navarre has woven a rich net of uses and customs: beautiful traditions, carnivals, folk dances, rural sport, pelota, cows and street bands, jotas.. And without forgetting the San Fermin Festival.

Carnivals in Navarre are lovely, personal, full of colour and with their own characters. 

 
Those of Lanz, Alsasua, Ituren or Zubieta, at the end of January and, particularly, in February are the most popular.

Amongst the romerías or pilgrimages, we would highlight the one celebrated on the first two Sundays in March when many people from all over Navarre visit San Francisco Javier, their patron saint.

A lovely tradition is on the day of the almadías or rafting in Burgui. The first Saturday of May, the former rafters remember their dangerous profession by going down the river on wooden rafts.
  

Another lovely story is the Tribute of the Three Cows. Close to Isaba, next to the Piedra de San Martín, on 13th July, the French mayors hand over to the mayors of the Roncal, three cows in payment for using water and pastures on the border.

On 27th September, the people from Andosilla and San Adrian go to Arnedo en La Rioja, to steal saints Cosme and Damian. A person from Navarre tries to convince the people from Rioja with an eloquent proclamation. 

When he doesn’t achieve this, with the cry “To Navarre with them” they run away, taking the images of the saints with them.

The people from Rioja block their way three times and, finally, they say “a ‘utro año” (till the next year). And the people from Navarre, without saints.

At Christmas, in the central and northern areas, on 24th December the Olentzero comes. A much loved coal man, who eats and drinks a lot, who comes down from the mountains to announce the birth of Jesus.

The bets amongst neighbours regarding rural tasks, led to rural sports or herri kirolak: lifting blocks of stone, cutting trees, carrying great weights... It is surprising to see what these people can achieve.

Amongst the folk dances and music, we would highlight the Baile de la Era of Estella and the Gaita, the Paloteado of Cortés, the Bolantes of Valcarlos, the Auroros, the Jota, the Txistu...

We will finish with two curious acts in August: the running of the pigs in Arazuri and the throwing of the Rabiosa in Marcilla. This consists in throwing a hoe as far as possible. It is called Rabiosa, because working with this tool makes one extremely cross.