Santo Tomas day

Santo Tomas day (spanish for Saint Thomas) takes place every December 21st.

This is a really special day for locals!. It dates back to the mid 19th century, when the "baserritarras (inhabitants of the farmhouses), used to go to town to pay their yearly rent to the owners of the land they worked. They used to sell their agricultural products and get the things they could not get locally. Urban and rural communities would meet on this day to exchange products for the upcoming Christmas festivities.

This is the way this important festivity started, and the day still continues being celebrated as one of the biggest for the city. Today, that traditional reason has disappeared, but you can still expect to see vendors and shoppers wearing traditional Basque rural clothes, remembering the roots of the market.

Every 21st of December, the city turns into an enormous country market of which the absolute star is the txistorra (fresh chorizo-like sausage). Stalls are set up all over the city, offering all sorts of food and craft wares, mostly produced by the people from the local farmhouses. These include cheese, honey, txistorra sausage, cider and cakes.

La Plaza de la constitución (Constitucion square) in the Old Town, is a must in Santo Tomas. Go and enjoy the atmosphere there! Spot the big pig and all the stalls, try "talo con txistorra" (kind of pancake made with corn flour filled with fresh chorizo) and drink cider.

Bear in mind that this is a must for everyone, so the best option to avoid the crowd is to go before 11:00 am.

If you go to Plaza de Okendo you will be able to see the exhibition of different animals.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

Behobia – San Sebastian: Much more than a race - A feeling!

More than 30,000 runners take part in one of Europe’s most popular and exciting races.

Every year, this popular 20km race (half-marathon) is held on the second Sunday of November. It connects two towns of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastián and Behobia with two major highs, Gaintxurizketa (Km. 8) and the Miracruz High (Km. 17).


More information at:
https://www.behobia-sansebastian.com

Horror and Fantasy Film Festival - Donostia - San Sebastián

The Horror and Fantasy Film Festival is held from the 31st of October to the 6th of November. It features an official section, a short film section and a section on children’s films.

In addition to cinema, the competition also offers a programme of street theatre, exhibitions, courses on comics, and concerts.

More information at:
http://www.sansebastianhorrorfestival.com

San Sebastián International Film Festival - From Sep 18, 2015 to Sep 26, 2015

"Donostiako Zinemaldia", in Basque, "Festival de Cine de San Sebastian" in Spanish.

For another year Donostia will host the San Sebastián International Film festival, an event that has been held every year in September since its first edition in 1953.

This festival is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised in Spain, and big names in film, both actors and directors, have attended to present their movies, making for a glamorous, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Apart from the different prizes awarded in the various sections, since 1986 the Donostia Prize has been awarded in recognition of those who have contributed to the world of film through their careers.

More information at:
http://www.sansebastianfestival.com

Euskal Jaiak - Basque Festivities

  

The Euskal Jaiak (Basque Festivities) take place in the beginning of September.

During these days, you will be able to enjoy different events related to Basque culture. Musical and sporting activities and the best Basque cuisine are the main attractions.

The Sagardo Eguna (cider day) should also be mentioned as it is one of the most important activities of Euskal Jaiak.

Estropadak - Rowing competition in La Concha Bay

Every year, Estropadak, the regatas or boat races of San Sebastian take place on the first two Sundays of September in La Concha Bay.

It is the most prestigious rowing competition of the season, and many people come to Donostia to enjoy the regatas and the great atmosphere that invades the city.

The spectators gather on the hills around the bay, Urgull and Igeldo, along Paseo Nuevo, the Quay and on the island, the beaches and in every possible type of craft to watch the regatas.

A crew is made up of thirteen oarsmen and the cox, who faces them at the stern. The origins of this sport date back to the XIV and XV centuries when the crew was essential for whaling. During that time, these crafts were probably used for the anchovy, sardine and other fishing seasons. It seems that the origin of the regatas stems from the rivalry among fishermen who struggled to arrive first in the port in order to sell their fish.

Also, it should be noted that whales were fished in abundance along these coasts. Every time a whale was seen from the hills, the alarm was raised for the fishermen to go out, and they also struggled to be the first to reach the whale. This was the seed of the competition.

The crafts are called trainera in Spanish, pronounced ‘try-nera’ if you’re an English speaker.

31 de agosto - Siege of San Sebastian

31st of August 1813 was a terrible day for San Sebastian. That fatal day, allied Anglo-Portuguese troops marched into San Sebastian and the city was completely destroyed. They burned the whole city, many inhabitants were killed and most women were raped.

Only the streets between Santa Maria and San Vicente churches survived, and every 31st of August, many events take place to remember this tragedy and to honour the inhabitants of San Sebastian.

For this reason, the name of this street is 31 de agosto, whichs means 31st of August.

Great Week - Aste Nagusia

One of the biggest festivals of the San Sebastian Summer Calendar is about to begin. Aste Nagusia in basque, Semana Grande in Spanish, the Great Week, will start with the traditional firing of the cannon in Alderdi Eder gardens (Town Hall) next Saturday 8th of August at 19:00.

San Sebastian’s Great Week takes place every summer and it lasts seven days, always including the 15th of August among its dates. It will fill the city with celebration, with big concerts, fairground rides for children, bullfighting and many other activities scheduled throughout the week.

The origin of the Great Week dates back to the 19th century, when this festival was organised to entertain the aristocracy that stayed in the city for their holiday.

Apart from the Great Week organised by the Town Hall, there is an alternative program, developed by "Donostiako Piratak" ("Pirates from San Sebastian" in basque), a group formed by young people and many other collectives, who organise many other activities. Among them, one of the most important event is the "abordaje" (the pirate boarding), where hundreds of young people dressed as pirates launch into the water and paddle toward La Concha Beach. They will leave from the port next monday, 10th of August, at 17:00.

The International Firework Contest is one of the most important events of this festival. It draws firework manufacturers from all over the world who puts on their best display every night at 10:45 in La Concha Bay.

Our favourite places to see the Fireworks are:

- The apartment. Even though you will not be able to see the low fireworks, this is one of the best places to see them. It is a privilege to have such a good display in front of your terrace!

- La Concha beach.

- Urgull: Bateria de las Damas.

Also, music has an important place in the festival. Great musical stars gather in the capital of Gipuzkoa.

As far as sports is concerned, it is worth mentioning the classic swimming crossing from Getaria to San Sebastian, horse races, the beach-volleyball tournament and "herri-kirolak" exhibitions (Basque rural sports).

Furthermore, children will have at their disposal workshops, games, gigantes and cabezudos parades, disco, toros de fuego (fire bulls), and so on.

We hope you enjoy it!

More information at:

• Great Week 2015 program and  
• Donostiako Piratak - Pirates from San Sebastian (available only in basque)

Quincena Musical / Musika Hamabostaldia

Every August, the Musical Fortnight comes back to San Sebastian.

Since 1939, this classical music season takes in a broad range of styles and composers. It takes place on various stages around the city, with the Kursaal Centre being the main venue.

Apart from the Kursaal Centre, other venues include the Principal Theatre, the old churches and Miramar Palace. Opera, classical ballet, symphony concerts and medieval and contemporary music are some of the styles that are protagonists at the event.

Althought it is called Musical fornight it is held from the 1st to the 30th of August,a period in which more than a hundred concerts and shows are offered on several stages.

More information: http://www.quincenamusical.eus/en/

"Heineken Jazzaldia" - Every July, San Sebastian comes alive with jazz music!

The San Sebastian Jazz festival is held every year during the third week of July. It was founded in 1966, Which means this festival celebrates 50 years bringing jazz music to Donostia.

The "Jazzaldia" is the first jazz festival organised in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. It hosts around a hundred concerts in twelve stages located in different points throughout the city of San Sebastian. Some of these concerts are free and some others are ticketed; and some of the venues are in the open air and some others are indoors.

The Kursaal Centre and Trinidad Square offer paying concerts, while at the other venues, including Zurriola beach and the terraces at the Kursaal Centre, concerts are free.

More info at www.heinekenjazzaldia.com

Karmengo jaiak.Festivity in the port of San Sebastian.

The origin of this local festivity held from the 15th to the 19th of July, is religious.The 16th of July is the day of Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, so this festivity is celebrated in their honour.

In the last years, this crab has become the symbol of Karmengo Jaiak, where different activities for different age groups and interests take place.

Dancing "agurra" dance of honour, dedicated to fishermen

"Kukaña"

"Gigantes y cabezudos"

Street music

Different concerts

Donostia / San Sebastian. Going to the beach.

San Sebastián is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea’ and there is no doubt that this stunning bay of La Concha, is part of the reason for this name.

This unique bay of La Concha is what made the city famous during the Belle Époque era and it is also where spanish Queen Maria Cristina established her royal summerhouse.

“La Concha”, shell in spanish due to its shape, is the nearest beach from the apartment.

According to the Travel and Leisure magazine, this is the second top city beach in the world. A kilometer and a half of fine and white sand combined with calm waters and fantastic views.

The worst part is that the beach size depends greatly on the tide status. When the tide is up this beach gets narrow and it can be crowded.

You can hire canoes and paddle surfing boards. Sunshades and chairs can also be hired.

  

  

“Ondarreta" is in the same bay as La Concha, but split by El pico del Loro (a rocky outcropping). It is also a wonderful beach, but it is further from the apartment.

“La Zurriola”: Located in the district of Gros, on the other side of the river, is not far from the apartment. Big waves and young people, that is what you will find in La Zurriola! It is a good option for surf lovers.

You can hire surfing boards and have surfing lessons. Sunshades and chairs can also be hired.

San Fermin

This unique festival is held annually from the 6th to the 14th of July.

Iruña / Pamplona, capital of Navarre, 82 km from San Sebastian.

The most famous event is the "encierro" or the running of the bulls, that takes place every morning at 08:00 am, but appart from "encierros", this festival involves many other traditional events.

http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/propuestas/san-fermines/desarrollo/fiesta.htm

Lesaka, 37km from San Sebastian.

This beautiful town sorrounded by mountains where you will be able to find interesting monuments, also celebrates San Fermin. The main activity is "zubigainekoa"on the 7th of July; a dance on the edge of Onin river that commemorates a peace treaty that took place on the XV century.

Source: De Turismo por Navarra