The Semana Grande (Great Week) always takes place during the week of 15 August, from Saturday to Saturday. This year, it will be held from 8 to 15 August. During these days, the whole city gets into the festive spirit, with hundreds of activities that are impossible to miss.
The traditional cannon shot marks the start of San Sebastian’s Semana Grande. This year, it will take place on 8 August at 7:00 p.m. in the Alderdi Eder gardens.
One of the most important highlights of the Semana Grande is, without a doubt, the International Fireworks Competition, featuring companies from all over the world.
Music also plays a prominent role in the festivities. Year after year, major music stars come to San Sebastian. Artists including Veintiuno, Nat Simons & Aurora Beltrán, Malmö 040, Süne, Lia Kali and Etzakit will perform on the main stage in Sagüés.
As for sports, highlights include horse racing, the beach volleyball tournament, herri-kirolak exhibitions (traditional Basque rural sports), and the Paseo Nuevo open-water swimming race.
Children’s activities are also organised, including workshops, games, giants and big-headed figures, a disco, fire bulls and more.
San Sebastian’s Semana Grande originated in the mid-19th century as a way of entertaining the elite tourists who spent their summers in the city at the time. The main attraction in those days was bullfighting, and the term “Semana Grande” was coined as an advertising slogan for the bullfights. The spectacle was complemented by concerts performed by the municipal band and fireworks displays, encouraging visitors who wished to see them to spend the night in the city. In this way, San Sebastian began to attract a new kind of tourism: large numbers of visitors staying for short periods.
This is how the Semana Grande as we know it today came into being, combining popular traditions with events of outstanding artistic and cultural quality. A true celebration that this year will feature dozens of activities throughout the day. Children, young people and adults alike will have the opportunity to take an active part in cultural and sporting activities held across the city.
The musical programme will offer a wide variety of bands and artists for all audiences. Not to be forgotten is the San Sebastián Musical Fortnight, held from 2 to 30 August, which offers an extensive programme of classical music both in the city and in several nearby towns.
The musical programme will offer a wide variety of bands and artists for all audiences. Not to be forgotten is the San Sebastián Musical Fortnight, held from 2 to 30 August, which offers an extensive programme of classical music both in the city and in several nearby towns.
