Santa Ageda bezpera - Saint Agatha´s eve.

Saint Agatha's Eve is a traditional event taking place the evening of the 4th of February (the day before Saint Agatha´s day) in many places of the Basque Country. Groups dressed up in Basque traditional costumes march across the neighbourhood singing and wielding a characteristic stick beaten on the ground to the rhythm of the traditional Saint Agatha's tune. The singers ask for a small donation, which can be money, a drink or something to eat.

Inudeak eta Artzaiak - Nursemaids and Shepherds.

The tradition of Inudeak eta Artzaiak dates back to 1885.

This festivity takes place the day after the Caldereros festival, and it is entirely carnival-themed. All participants dress up as shepherds, nursemaids, mayors and even as bishops.

In this parade, the members of the group parody some nursemaids that are courted by shepherds to the rhythm of the music composed by Raimundo Sarregui. The nursemaids dance carrying doll babies in their arms.

"Caldereros" Spanish for boilermakers, tinkers ... To the sound of coppers and pans!!

Donostia was a transit point for nomad tribes and transhumant artisans who repaired different metal tools and saucepans before the 19th Century, and therefore, this is the origin of the caldereros troupes that started their performance in 1884. Although there is some evidence of carnival records in the 19th century, it was not until the above-mentioned date that tradition was made official in the way it is celebrated today. 

The Caldereros (Tinkers) go out to the streets during the weekend before the beginning of Carnival and announce the arrival of this pagan feast. These characters evoke the gypsy tribes that came to sell and repare different metal products on these dates. The parade is lead by a bear and is followed by a colorful assortment of groups that are gaily costumed. The group includes a queen, carts and gypsies, who sing to the sound of old pans, coppers, saucepans and hammers. The most important moment is the parade, which starts in San Sebastian’s Old Town at around ten in the evening.

This parade is great fun. If you can visit San Sebastian in February, then be sure to be in time for this parade!

DONOSTIA 2016 - European Capital of Culture!

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension.

Our city was chosen to be European Capital of Culture during 2016.

San Sebastian kicked off the European Capital of Culture year with an ample programme of activities that started on January 20th (coinciding with San Sebastian Day), and end on the 24th of that same month.

This represents an enormous opportunity to turn the focus on culture and dialogue as the roads towards improved coexistence. It will also promote stronger ties with the rest of Europe and foster innovation in the cultural sector.

Herewith, you can watch a video San Sebastian prepared to promote the candidature of our city as a European Capital of Culture. We believe it offers a good idea about our city and our culture.

http://www.morgancrea.net/en/donostia2016.html


For more information, please look at :

http://dss2016.eu/en/agenda

Tamborrada: St. Sebastian day - Such a special day for Donostiarras (people from San Sebastian)!

Every 20th January, San Sebastian celebrates its patron saint´s day with the "tamborrada" drum parade.

There are different opinions about the origin of this festivity. Some people claim that it goes back several hundred years to the time of the Peninsular War, when Napoleon’s troops took over San Sebastian and a large portion of the city was burned to the ground. During this time of occupation, it was typical for the women and cooks to fetch water at one of the city’s two fountains. All the while, French troops marched around the city, banging on their drums. No one is quite sure who started it, but soon the women and cooks began to beat on the buckets as to mock the French occupiers.

However, others insist that this festivity has roots dating back to 1836 and that it was originally one of the Carnival troupes.

During 24 hours, the entire city is transformed with the rolling of drums and barrels and the sound of the music of the basque composer Raimundo Sarriegi. On this day, the whole city feels like an authentic community joined by being part of the same tradition and cultural heritage.


The hoisting and the lowering of the city flag are two of the most emotional moments of the day. The hoisting of the flag in the Constitucion Square announces the start of the festivity. It takes place at 00:00 am when the mayor raises the flag of San Sebastian.

This special day finishes in the same place with the lowering of the flag.

During the tamborrada, you will see different outfits. Participants dress as cooks and soldiers from Napoleonic times, and some women wear basque traditional clothes.

As a local, I would like to point out that although San Sebastian day is celebrated on the 20th of January, one of the most special tamborradas take place on the 19th at 18:30 pm when the children of the Old Town of the city march from San Telmo and go to play their drums and barrels to San Vicente church.
Another special tamborrada we personally love is the one organised by Oilagorra gastronomic society. They come down from Urgull hill on the 20th of January at 20:30 pm. The best place to see it is the city wall located in calle Mari (Mari street), near the port.

If you want to watch the hoisting of the flag, please click here.