Nine people were arrested in Bilbao during the first night of Aste Nagusia 2026. The incidents took place between 4pm on Saturday 22 August and 7am on Sunday 23 August, the Policía Municipal de Bilbao said on Sunday morning. Four arrests concerned the official festival site, with five more in other parts of the city. The alleged offences include two sexual assaults involving touching and one case of violence against women; offences involving robbery, theft and assault were also dealt with. A stolen mobile phone was recovered.
According to consistent accounts from the city and local reports, the two sexual offences took place within the festival area – one near the txosnas on Arenal, and another at a station of Euskotren. Police arrested suspects in both cases. Also within the festival area, one person was arrested for assault and another for theft. Outside the festival area, police intervened in five cases: three people were arrested for robbery, one for violence against women and another for theft.
This interim tally marks the start of security operations for Aste Nagusia, which officially began on Saturday. The Ayuntamiento de Bilbao had announced a heightened police presence and additional support services for visitors in advance. These include the Errespetu Nagusia campaign, intended to prevent sexist, racist and anti-LGBTIQ abuse; city channels and Cadena SER.
reported on the campaign and support services. In its reports, police distinguish between incidents inside and outside the festival area to maintain an accurate picture and target their response. The authorities initially gave no details of the arrested people’s identities or ages. Investigations into the alleged offences are ongoing; the investigating magistrates and public prosecutor will decide on further steps once the case files have been submitted.
Aste Nagusia is regarded as Bilbao’s biggest city festival and attracts large numbers of people to the city centre every year. Security, emergency response and support services are therefore expanded during festival week. According to the city, additional support services are available for people affected by violence; emergency services can be reached around the clock.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).