Tamborrada of San Sebastián

On 20 January, St Sebastian’s Day, San Sebastián (Donostia) celebrates its patron saint with the Tamborrada: 24 hours of drums and barrels, from midnight to midnight. The next edition begins on the night of 19–20 January 2027.

A tradition dating from around 1830

The first mentions of the Tamborrada date back to around 1830. Its exact origins remain unclear. The most widely held theory is that it grew out of a carnival parade. Participants gradually adopted the costumes still seen today: cooks, water carriers and soldiers.

How it unfolds

• 19 January at midnight: in Plaza de la Constitución, in the Parte Vieja (Old Town), the city flag is raised. The drummers launch the festivities to the famous Marcha de San Sebastián.
• 20 January, all day: more than 150 companies parade through the city, each with its own uniform and route. A company usually has 20 to 50 drummers and 50 to 100 barrel players, along with a band.
• Children’s Tamborrada, on the morning of the 20th: children dressed as little cooks and soldiers parade through the centre.
• 20 January at midnight: back to Plaza de la Constitución, where the Unión Artesana company lowers the flag. It is an emotional moment for the Donostiarras (the people of San Sebastián).

Once reserved for men, the festival is now open to everyone. People often march as a family, from one generation to the next.

Tips

• Arrive early at Plaza de la Constitución for the raising and lowering of the flag.
• The route of each company is published by the city (Donostia Kultura) before the festival.
• Wrap up warm and take an umbrella: January is often rainy.

Full guide: our San Sebastián guide.

Sources

• San Sebastián Turismo — San Sebastián Day: the Tamborrada drum parade
• Euskadi Tourism — How to experience the Tamborrada in Donostia / San Sebastián
• Kulturklik — St Sebastian’s Day 2026 programme (in Spanish)