Christmas agenda
Magic days
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
On 1st December, the San Sebastián Christmas lights will be switched on. You can't miss the huge tree at the Palacio de Miramar, the ball on the Paseo de La Concha or the illuminated boxes on the Urumea river. The Christmas lights will be switched on at the Paseo de Francia, next to the CHRISTMAS MARKET, which will be open until the festive season ends. A place with real Christmas flavour, filled with gift ideas in the 40 stalls set up on the banks of the Urumea river, including a sled track, a big wheel, performances and fireworks.
OLENTZERO and MARI DOMINGI
Olentzero arrives on Christmas Eve, accompanied by Mari Domingi, to hand out presents to all the children.
- Location: Tent with workshops in the Plaza de la Constitución. (+ INFO)
Christmas lunch
New Year’s Day lunch
CABALGATA DE REYES (THREE KINGS PARADE)
Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar –the Three Wise Men of the East– collect the letters written by children requesting a toy or gift that they bring on the night of 5 January.
- Location: Zurriola Beach (2:30), Town Hall (3:30 - 5:30), Boulevard (6:00) (+ INFO)
Christmas is in the air
Aurora Boreal
This Christmas season, the centre aisle at the San Martin Market will host Aurora Borealis. A light and sound show to celebrate the arrival of lighter days.
- Location: Mercado de San Martin (+ INFO)
PLAZA DE GIPUZKOA NATIVITY SCJAN
Generations of San Sebastián locals have grown up with this Christmas classic. Open-air nativity with different scenes. Asociación Belenista de Gipuzkoa Also: Beharko nativity (Intxaurrondo) Loiola nativity (Atari Eder gardens)
- Location: Plaza de Gipuzkoa (+ INFO)
CHARITY GASTROPOTE
In collaboration with NGO Sport Mundi, Charity Gastropote for Afagi. Live performance of Donostia’s Black Gamba.
- Location:San Martín Market(+ INFO)
- Time: 19:00-22:00
Christmas Taco Pote
Mexican tacos with a Christmas touch. Blend of culture to celebrate Christmas.
- Location: Cafe Kursaal (+ INFO)
- Time: a partir de las 19:30
Charity Christmas Vermouth
Drop to drink a vermouth on Christmas and participate in the charity action at Convent Garden, where an area is prepared to collect toys and clothing.
- Location: Covent Garden. Pation (+ INFO)
SAN SILVESTRE RACE
The most fun-filled, thrilling race of the year (8.2 km).
- Location: From Av. Zarautz a Amara Zaharra (+ INFO)
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
Christmas shopping: sotres and markets
The city’s stores go all out this holiday season to lay out the red carpet for customers: stores will offer customers free parking to make Christmas shopping even easier.
GREAT CHRISTMAS MARKET OF SAN SEBASTIAN
40 huts with Christmas items and decorations, culinary products, toys, artisan work, items by local designers...And a sleigh track and photo booth with a Christmas Ball. A tent will be set up with mime and theatre shows, as well as different workshops.
- Location: Paseo de Urumea (+ INFO)
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING at SAN SEBASTIAN SHOPS
Have fun shopping at over a hundred stores that are taking part in the city's Christmas campaign, and where a red carpet and Christmas decorations await you.
- Location:The city (+ INFO)
CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY COMPETITION
An opportunity to take a stroll through the city and check out the most original Christmas decorations. Categories: Most Sustainable, Most Innovative and Most Popular Window Display.
- Location: over 100 SShops associated stores (+ INFO)
Artisan and Pastry Product Market at Buen Pastor
35 stands with artisan products: fashion accessories, jewellery, textiles, toys, decoration... and 5 stands with 15 brands from master local pastry chefs.
- Location: Buen Pastor. (+ INFO)
Vintage Flea Market
Beers, clothes you won’t find at any other business, drawings...and also charity clothing collection
- Location: Koisi Hostel (+ INFO)
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MARKET
Textile designs, jewellery, paper, furniture and ceramics…
- Location: Ekain Arte Lanak, calle Iñigo 4 (+ INFO)
Wine market
This Wine Market is an opportunity to meet wine producers in person, taste wines from different zones and different varieties of grape. An ideal setting to organise your Christmas shopping.
- Location: GOÑI Ardoteka, calle Aldamar 3 (+ INFO)
- Time: 10:30-14:00 eta 17:00-19.30
Travelling local farmer markets - Behemendi
Farmers from the Donostialdea area gather to sell their seasonal, local and traditional products.
- Location: Gros -C./ San Francisco de (+ INFO)
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Travelling local farmer markets - Behemendi
Farmers from the Donostialdea area gather to sell their seasonal, local and traditional products.
- Location: Antiguo - Plaza Gaskuña (+ INFO)
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Market at Convent Garden
Stands, carols, DJ, drawings... In the Pation
- Location: Covent Garden (+ INFO)
- Time: 11:00-20:00
Basque traditions, culture and folklore
Sagardo Apurua - CASERÍO SIDRERÍA
Recreation of a traditional cider house with tastings of the new harvest, live cooking stations, market, games, rural sports, bertsolaris, wine-tasting...
- Location: Boulevard (city centre) (+ INFO)
- Time: from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. /5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
SANTO TOMÁS FAIR
Donostia-San Sebastián turns into a rural market that showcases a local favourite: txistorra (cured sausage). Numerous stalls are set up where shoppers can purchase a wide variety of food products, crafts, etc.
- Location: Across the city