Musical Fortnight festival (Quincena Musical de San Sebastián)
Aug
1
to Aug 30
festivals

Musical Fortnight festival (Quincena Musical de San Sebastián)

The first evenings of classical music in San Sebastian began back in the 1940s in order to expand the cultural program for city guests during the summer season.  At that time, local choir and Grand Casino orchestra took part in the concerts as well as European musicians who took refuge in the Victoria Eugenia Theater during World War I. Read more…

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31st of August
Aug
31
7:00 PM19:00

31st of August

  • 31 de Agosto Kalea Donostia, PV, 20003 Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

On this day, people of San Sebastian remember tragic events of the war with Napoleon.  In 1813 allied troops of England and Portugal came to the city that was occupied by French. After heavy artillery bombardment of the city, they managed to breach the wall that protected San Sebastian. Read more…

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Caldereros
Feb
7
9:30 PM21:30

Caldereros

Caldereros Parade takes place through the streets of San Sebastian every year on the first or second Saturday of February . About 400 representatives of 19 gypsy groups in traditional costumes take part in the procession. It is believed that the gypsies bring joy and fun. This parade opens the carnival season. The history of the festival goes back to the 19th century. Traditionally, nomadic tribes of gypsies from Hungary passed through San Sebastian, among whom were skilled craftsmen. Along the way, they earned extra money by repairing dishes, pots and pans. That is why the participants of the procession today carry hammers and pots in their hands. They dance and sing songs specially written for this procession.

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Semana Grande
Aug
9
to Aug 16
festivals

Semana Grande

  • 18 Kontxa Pasealekua Donostia Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

emana Grande is a weeklong festivity, which is celebrated in San Sebastian annually during the week that includes August 15th – the Assumption Day.  The entertainment program is extensive - from Basque folklore in the city squares to large concerts at specially organized venues in the port and around Zurriola beach. Read more…

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San Juan Day
Jun
23
to Jun 24
holidays

San Juan Day

  • 1 Del Padre Claret Plaza Donostia, PV, 20013 Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

On the day of summer solstice Spaniards celebrate the day of St. John (San Juan in Spanish), the roots of which go back to paganism. It is believed that after this longest day of the year is over, Light begins to lose its strength and Darkness takes over. Read more…

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Easter processions
Apr
17
to Apr 20
holidays

Easter processions

  • 1 Kalea Uria Harresia Hondarribia, PV, 20280 Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

he week before Easter in Spain is known as Semana Santa, or the Holy week. Starting from the Holy Thursday, Passover processions take place throughout Spain. This religious processions are dedicated to the events that occurred after Christ entered Jerusalem. In Guipúzcoa, this spectacular procession can be observed in Hondarribia and Irun. Read more…

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Human Rights Film Festival
Apr
4
to Apr 11
festivals

Human Rights Film Festival

The film festival dedicated to social problems in society takes place in San Sebastian at the end of April. This festival features films about the difficulties of adoption, freedom of speech, bullying, migrants, struggle for women's rights, victims of dictatorships, sexual violence and torture, the fate of youth and other topics of concern of the contemporary authors. Read more…

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Carnival
Feb
27
to Mar 4
holidays

Carnival

  • 2 Boulevard Zumardia Donostia Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Festive processions dedicated to Carnival begin in San Sebastian 40 days before the Passover Week. Starting from Thursday, mummers walk through different quarters of the city, singing songs dedicated to the goddess Momo - the queen/patron of the carnival. Read more…

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Tamborrada
Jan
20
12:01 AM00:01
holidays

Tamborrada

Tamborrada or San Sebastian Day is held on January 20th. The opening ceremony will take place at midnight on January 19th, when a president of gastronomic community Gaztelubide will raise the flag of the city at the Constitution Square.  City residents celebrate the day of the patron saint for more than 150 years with a 24 hour parade of drummers in costumes and brass bands. Read more…

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Three Kings parade
Jan
5
10:30 AM10:30
holidays

Three Kings parade

  • 18 Kontxa Pasealekua Donostia Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Spanish winter holidays start on Christmas eve and end with fairy kings parade - an important Catholic ritual that symbolizes the journey of the Magi from all over the world to Jerusalem to present gifts for a newborn Jesus.  A ritual that nowadays is very similar to Santa Claus’s visit on Christmas eve.  Read more…

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Olentzero
Dec
24
11:00 AM11:00

Olentzero

Every country has a Christmas character. In the Basque Country, it is Olentzero. On the night before Christmas, December 24, he comes to San Sebastian with his wife Marie Domingue. The wizard descends from Mount Urgull and goes to the town hall, where he talks to children and puts letters with their wishes in a huge canvas bag. After that, surrounded by his elf assistants, he walks along the main streets of the city and gives out sweets and chestnuts to children. Read more…

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Santo Tomás
Dec
21
11:00 AM11:00
holidays

Santo Tomás

In the nineteenth century, farmers from Guipuzcoa province were coming to San Sebastian to sell farm produce and home products and to enjoy shopping in the city. Nowadays, city residents dress up in costumes and walk around town drinking cider with chistora – a favorite produce of local farmers. Read more…

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Christmas decorations
Nov
29
to Jan 6
holidays

Christmas decorations

  • Puente de María Cristina San Sebastián, PV Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Three weeks before Christmas, San Sebastian turns into a farytale city. Christmas lights are lit on the streets and squares, holiday decorations are set on the seafront and suspended over Urumea river, Christmas market show up on the riverfront and multiple Christmas trees light up on city squares.  Read more…

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Keler Bokata Astea
Apr
13
to Apr 23
food

Keler Bokata Astea

The most gourmet bokatas can be tasted in San Sebastian during the week of Keler Bokata Astea, when over 30 establishments offer delicious and original bokatas accompanied by a Keler beer at a single price of 7 euros.  Bokata is a Spanish sub sandwich with various fillings.  It is, probably, one of the most popular snacks in Spain. During this special week, bars of San Sebastian add a gourmet touch to this simple but satisfying dish.  For example, "Spring" (a salmon bokata with arugula, cream cheese, avocado and Maldon salt) and "Japan Fusion" (a marinated turkey bokata with escarole, tomato, Gorgonzola cheese sauce, shiitake and wakame seaweed) are just few bokatas that stood out for us this year.

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