Olentzero and Mari Domingi

In the Basque Country, children at Christmas also write to Olentzero, the charcoal burner who comes down from the mountains accompanied by Mari Domingi. Every 24 December, parades take place in many towns and villages, on both sides of the border.

Who is Olentzero?

According to the Basque Cultural Institute, Olentzero is a figure from Basque mythology, a messenger of light linked to the winter solstice. He wears a beret and threadbare clothes, and carries a sickle, a sack of charcoal and a wineskin, reminders of his life in the forest. In the past, he was used to frighten children. In the French Basque Country (Iparralde), the tradition is enjoying a revival, coordinated by the Olentzeroren Lagunak association.

In San Sebastián

Donostia Kultura organises Olentzero and Mari Domingi’s visit to San Sebastián (Donostia) every year.

• From 19 December: activities and parades in the neighbourhoods
• 24 December, at noon (2025 timing): they greet the children from the balcony of the town hall, on Plaza de la Constitución
• 24 December, 15:30–17:30 (2025 timing): children hand them their letters in the council chamber of the town hall. The queue forms at the entrance to the Alderdi Eder terrace.
• 24 December at 18:00: the big parade sets off from Ijentea street and follows the usual route through the town centre. In 2025, it featured around 500 participants in 16 groups, and more than a tonne of sweets was handed out.

The 2026 times will be confirmed by Donostia Kultura.

Guide: San Sebastián.

Sources

• Donostia Kultura — Olentzero and Mari Domingi (in Spanish)
• Kulturklik — Olentzero and Mari Domingi in Donostia: parade and reception 2025 (in Spanish)
• Basque Cultural Institute — Olentzero, a figure of Basque culture and mythology (in French)