San Sebastian Tamborrada, 24 hours of drums

The Tamborrada is the most emblematic festival of San Sebastián (Donostia / San Sebastián) and takes place on 20th January, the feast day of the city's patron saint. For 24 hours, drums and barrels resound through the streets in a celebration deeply rooted in the identity of the city, which also draws visitors from across the world.

The official start takes place at midnight, when the Tamborrada de Gaztelubide raises the flag in the Plaza de la Constitución. That moment marks the beginning of an uninterrupted celebration that sweeps through the entire city, until at the following midnight the Tamborrada Unión Artesana lowers the flag in the same square, bringing the festivities to a close.

For those visiting San Sebastián in January, the Tamborrada offers a direct encounter with one of the most deeply rooted festive traditions in the Basque Country, in a city that on that day completely transforms its everyday rhythm.