| La Tamborrada is held on 10th January, coinciding with the festival of the patron saint. This festivity lasts non-stop for 24 hours.
On the night of the 19th to 20th January the Plaza de la Constitución of the Old Quarter fills with the citizens around the board where the drum of the Sociedad Gaztelubide is placed. This festival dates back to the 19th century and is inspired in the battles in the city during the War of Independence. The atmosphere grows until at midnight the flag is raised and the drums and barrels of the Sociedad Gaztelubide play the hymn of San Sebastian and the rest of the songs composed by Raimundo Sarriegui for this date.
The children’s Tamborrada goes on through the morning. The drumming goes on in the city throughout the day until they gather once more in Plaza de la Constitución at between 8 and 9 p.m. and the festival ends at 12 with the hymn of San Sebastian.
In the week of 15th August the Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia is held, which includes the international firework contest every night at 11 p.m., and all kinds of music, sports activities such as the San Sebastian-San Sebastian cycling classic.
Euskal Jaiak are the Basque festivals with activities related to the Basque culture, from singer-songwriters, groups, classical music concerts, dances, rural sports, etc. The famous Estropadak (trawler regattas) are also held in the Bahía de la Concha. |
