It’s a million-dollar question, and one I get ALL the time : when is the best time to visit San Sebastián?

The answer isn’t straightforward, as it depends on one’s priorities.

If avoiding crowds is a key concern, it’s best to steer clear of August. July is another month to consider skipping, as it tends to be quite busy.

On the other hand, if good weather is what you're after, be prepared for some disappointment. San Sebastián receives about 200 days of rain each year, making it unpredictable. September is typically considered a safer bet, though I must admit that this September, like much of the summer, has been grey and drizzly. (I recently made a post on my favorite rainy day activities!)

This post, however, is for those eager to visit during a special, celebratory time in the city. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler familiar with San Sebastián or someone who simply enjoys a good party, this guide provides a detailed calendar of extra-special dates worth noting. For more insights and snapshots of daily life in the Basque Country, don’t forget to check out my Instagram, where I share regular updates and hints.

Like many vibrant European towns, Donostia-San Sebastián offers visitors an impressive calendar of festivals that showcase the region’s deep-rooted traditions and cultural richness. From the drumbeats of its famous Tamborrada to the cutting-edge screenings of its international film festivals, the city has a smattering of celebrations all year round that we locals love to take part in—many of them in winter, to help beat the rainy doldrums! Below is a guide to some of San Sebastián’s most notable festivals, arranged in order of their occurrence throughout the year. Enjoy!

1. Tamborrada / San Sebastián Day (January 20th)

Location: Citywide
Website: San Sebastián Tourism - Tamborrada

The year in San Sebastián begins with the Tamborrada, a massive drumming festival held annually on January 20th, or San Sebastián Day. This 24-hour celebration honors the city’s patron saint, San Sebastián, with thousands of locals dressed as soldiers and cooks marching through the streets, beating drums and barrels. The event kicks off at midnight with the raising of the city’s flag in Plaza de la Constitución and continues across every neighborhood. Here is my post about what it is and why we celebrate it.

The Tamborrada celebrates San Sebastián’s historical identity and unites the entire city in festive spirit. It’s an iconic event that reflects the pride and traditions of Donostia and offers an unforgettable experience for visitors (and one of the only days you can pop into a sociedad, or Basque dining society!).

2. Caldereros (February)

Location: Parte Vieja (Old Town)
Website: San Sebastián Tourism - Caldereros

In early February, Caldereros, or the awkwardly translatedTinsmiths Festival, signals the start of Carnival season in San Sebastián. Participants dressed in colorful costumes parade through the Old Town, banging on pots and pans to mimic the sounds of the Roma tinsmiths who once traveled the region. This lively, participatory event is filled with music, dancing, and a playful atmosphere, preparing the city for the upcoming Carnival festivities. Purpose of event? Mainly to keep us all alive during nonstop cold and rain.

3. Iñude eta Artzaiak (February)

Location: Citywide
Website: San Sebastián Tourism - Iñude eta Artzaiak

Following the Caldereros is Iñude eta Artzaiak, a Carnival tradition that reenacts the courtship between nurses (iñude) and shepherds (artzaiak). This whimsical parade features men dressed as nurses and women as shepherds, dancing through the streets to the sound of folk music. It’s hard to describe, but this is perhaps one of the most lovely and surprising of the city’s festivals.

4. Dock of the Bay (Mid-JUNE)

Location: Principal Theatre
Website: Dock of the Bay

Dock of the Bay, San Sebastián’s documentary film festival focused on music, is held each June and is the first major film event of the year. The festival screens documentaries that explore the relationship between music and culture. It’s a great opportunity to dive into the world of music through the lens of documentary filmmaking, and to meet the city’s hippest denizens.

5. Jazzaldia (END OF July)

Location: Various venues, including Plaza de la Trinidad, Kursaal, and Zurriola Beach
Website: Jazzaldia

In late July, San Sebastián hosts Jazzaldia, a world-class jazz festival that has been bringing top-tier international and local talent to the city since 1966. With performances spread across various venues, including beaches and open-air stages, the festival is a must-attend. Attendees can enjoy everything from classic jazz to more experimental sounds to alt rock. Don’t worry if you don’t get tickets—some of the best concerts are the free ones on the beach and in the public spaces.

6. Karmengo Jaiak (July 16th)

Location: Puerto Viejo, San Sebastián
Website: Karmengo Jaiak

Every July 16th, the charming neighborhood of the Old Town’s port celebrates Karmengo Jaiak, a festival in honor of the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen. The event features processions, traditional dances, and boat races, with the highlight being a maritime procession where fishermen carry a statue of the Virgin on a boat. The festival is deeply rooted in San Sebastián’s seafaring traditions and offers visitors a glimpse of the city’s maritime heritage, with a very local feel to it (expect a lot of Basque, a lot of feminism, and some protest posters).

7. Semana Grande / Aste Nagusia (Mid-August)

Location: Citywide, including La Concha Beach
Website: San Sebastián Tourism - Semana Grande

Semana Grande, or Aste Nagusia, is San Sebastián’s big summer festival, held every year in mid-August. It is sandwiched between Vitoria’s version and the one in Bilbao.This week-long celebration is packed with concerts, sporting events, and one of the highlights: the International Fireworks Competition, where pyrotechnic teams from around the world compete to light up the skies over La Concha Bay.

Traditional Basque sports like stone-lifting and log-cutting are also featured, alongside street parties and live performances. With events held across the city and along its stunning beaches, Semana Grande is a perfect blend of tradition and modern entertainment. Be warned, this is the most gratuitously crowded of all the festivals.

8. Quincena Musical (August - September)

Location: Various venues, including the Kursaal and Victoria Eugenia Theatre
Website: Quincena Musical

San Sebastián’s Quincena Musical (Musical Fortnight) is one of Europe’s longest-running classical music festivals, held annually in August and September. The event features an impressive lineup of symphony orchestras, chamber music groups, and opera performances and draws classical music lovers from all over. Concerts are staged in various venues around the city, including the stunning Kursaal Auditorium, and also offers performances in unique, historic locations, such as nearby churches and the charming town of Tolosa.

9. San Sebastián International Film Festival (September)

Location: Various venues, including the Kursaal Congress Center and Victoria Eugenia Theatre
Website: San Sebastián Film Festival

One of the most prestigious film events in the world, the San Sebastián International Film Festival is held annually in September. Founded in 1953, the festival has gained international recognition, attracting the world’s top directors, actors, and film industry professionals. The festival's highest honor, the Golden Shell, is awarded to the best film, and the screenings span a variety of genres, from avant-garde to mainstream.

For cinephiles, it’s an opportunity to see world premieres, discover independent films, and mingle with top-tier talent, all while enjoying the cultural richness of San Sebastián. For locals, it’s a chance to get dolled up and cross your fingers for a celebrity sighting! One of my favorite festivals of the whole year.

2024 Dates: September 20-28, 2024

10. SAN SEBASTIÁN GASTRONOMIKA (October)

Location: Various venues, but mostly Kursaal
Website: San Sebastián Gastronomika

San Sebastián Gastronomika is an industry event, but the public can attend. it showcases a variety of lectures and presentations from renowned chefs and industry experts from all over the world. Attendees can expect discussions on innovative culinary techniques, sustainable practices, and emerging food trends. If you geek out about chefs, it’s a good week to visit and rub elbows over pintxos.

2024 Dates: October 7-9, 2024

11. Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (October - November)

Location: Various venues, including Principal Theatre
Website: Horror and Fantasy Film Festival

Hot on the heels of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, the Horror and Fantasy Film Festival offers a different type of cinema, just in time for Halloween. This October-November festival focuses on horror, fantasy, and sci-fi films, from cult classics to indie horror flicks, and this festival provides a more niche but equally captivating experience compared to its more mainstream counterpart.

The event has become a fixture in San Sebastián’s cultural calendar, with screenings of both new and iconic horror films, often featuring Q&A sessions with directors and actors.

2024 Dates: October 25-November 1, 2024

12. Santo Tomás Fair (December 21st)

Location: Plaza de la Constitución and throughout San Sebastián
Website: Santo Tomás Fair

The Santo Tomás Fair brings the year to a close with a traditional Basque celebration of rural life, held every December 21st. The streets of San Sebastián are transformed into a bustling market where local farmers sell their produce and livestock, a reflection of how things used to be around these dates when rural folks came into town to pay their annual rent and make some pocket change. Visitors can sample traditional Basque foods, such as talos (corn flatbreads) with txistorra (spicy sausage) and sagardoa (local cider). This is most definitely a local favorite—we all get dressed up in our casero outfit and take the day off to walk around with our families and friends.

2024 Dates: December 21, 2024

There you go, a pretty comprehensive list of our fave festivals in town. Phew! Sometimes it feels like we are always preparing for something, but I love it….San Sebastián’s festivals offer such a fascinating mix of tradition, culture, and artistic expression. There’s always something to celebrate.