Festivals & Events in San Sebastián
Tamborrada de San Sebastián (Danborrada)
La Tamborrada is Donostia's patron festival: every January 20th — a fixed date, never moved — the entire city beats drums and barrels for exactly 24 hours, midnight to midnight. More than 176 adult comparsas (+20,000 people) march through every neighbourhood. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (2018). Free and open to all.
Festival Internacional de Cine de San Sebastián (Zinemaldia)
Zinemaldia is Spain's most prestigious film festival and the only one with FIAPF Category A status, alongside Cannes, Venice and Berlin. Every third or fourth week of September, San Sebastián awards its Golden Shell. Watching the red carpet is free; screenings are ticketed, with seats from around €8.75 per session.
Aste Nagusia — Semana Grande de San Sebastián
Aste Nagusia is the main festival of Donostia-San Sebastián, held around 15 August (Assumption Day). In 2026 it runs from 8 to 15 August — nine free days that kick off with the cannon shot in Alderdi Eder. Its global trademark: the International Fireworks Competition, drawing ~90,000 people each night over La Concha bay.