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)