San Sebastian Festivals
There are all kinds of San Sebastian festivals throughout the summer months,
some of international renown. Here are the most important annual events in the
city's calendar.
San Sebastian Jazz Festival
(3rd week of July)
This is Spain's top Jazz Festival which attracts performers from all around
the globe. It attracts a lot of visitors including many people on their way home
from the Pamplona bullrunning. Some top bands arrange rock concerts to coincide
with the festival.
See the San Sebastian
Jazz Festival website for the latest news and ticket information.
San Sebastian Film Festival
(3rd week of September)
The San Sebastian's Film Festival has been attracting well known
personalities from the film world since its inauguration in 1952. The city is
packed out over this period so book hotel rooms well in advance. Check the San
Sebastian Film Festival website for up to date information. [San
Sebastian Film Festival Website]
San Sebastian Theatre Festival
(mid-July)
The San Sebastian International Theatre Festival is justifiably earning an
international reputation that should soon see it considered as important to the
city as the the jazz and film festivals. [San
Sebastian Theatre Festival Website]
Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande)
(Around 15th August)
This is San Sebastian's biggest annual festival with open air concerts,
Basque sports events, fabulous daily fireworks and raucous partying.
La Tamborrada
(20 January)
This is the feast of San Sebastian when the people of San Sebastian hit the
streets to a crescendo of drum and barrel playing. The action starts in the
Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) at midnight on 19th when the city's mayor raises the
city's flag in Plaza Konstituzioa.
Then the marching starts as adults dressed as cooks and soldiers follow drum
playing bands around throughout the night. Most marchers represent one of San
Sebastian's gastronomic societies, many of which only allow male members.
The origin of the festival is unclear. One theory is that it is a reference to
the mocking by local people (particularly chefs) of the French soldiers that
occupied the city during the Napoleonic wars. An alternative suggestion is that
back in the early 18th century a baker was singing whilst filling his water
barrels when some young girls started banging on the barrels to accompany him. A
crowd gathered to watch them and La Tamborrada was born. Who knows and who
cares? It's a great day/night to be in the city.
The following morning (20th) the children of San Sebastian wake up to their own
version of the festival in which they too dress as soldiers and march around the
city (but without the wine consumption of their parents!). Event Ticket Information
A good source of tickets for cultural events in San Sebastian is the
Kutxa Bank Website where you can purchase in English and collect on arrival
in the city. |
