for almost 300 years, san sebastián has been celebrating the feast day of saint sebastian, “la tamborrada”, with an exciting parade of drumming. this is the most popular festival in the city, and is attended by most of its 200,000 citizens and travellers from all over the world, regardless of the cold or rain.

the festival lasts an epic 24 hours—from midnight to midnight and starts the 20th january at 00:00 hours when the mayor raises the city’s blue and white flag in the old towns constitution square and ends at the same place at 24:00 hours when the unión artesana tamborrada lowers the flag. the raising of the flag is the signal when over  100 separate drum-corps regiments (accompanied by a brass band of 6 or 7 people), each composed of 20-50 men and women dressed in the 18th-century garb of chefs, peasants or napoleonic-era soldiers.

according to the official programme, more than 5000 people (all local folk) will participate next year! around 100 bands are local gastronomic societies marching through the city, all day long. they stop outside of bars and on crowded street corners to play mini-concerts (and are usually rewarded drinks from inside).

one of the highlight each year are the children’s tamborradas which gathered outside the town hall at midday. so much effort had gone into their costumes – each school had designed a unique and different costume for its children to wear and trained them for months in preparation for their drum-playing debuts that this is a must-see during this feast day.

the history of this spanish drums festival go back to when the french occupied the basque country. the french soldiers would play their drums when they were on the charge. one day as they did so in 1720 a baker who was filling water barrels from a fountain near the church of st vincent, san sebastian began to sing, and a group of young girls passing by started banging on the barrels as accompaniment. the crowd started to gather and this drum beating knees up which evolved over the last almost 300 years into the spectacle you see today.

keep a memory

as a tourist you sure want to have a small gift to remember this unique and unusual festival. the shops in the center are selling during these days drums, napoleonic military dress and chefs’ uniform in san sebastian. also quite popular are the small figures wearing the different uniforms while playing the drums. the sweet ones among us can buy drums made of chocolate.

before participating in this event everyone has to face the problem where to stay. staying right in the city centre will mean that it is not possible to sleep so much, as the drums will not stop during 24 hours. but at the same time, an accommodation in the centre is the best way to experience this festival from your own balcony and enjoy while a band is passing it. of course, you can´t miss to bring one important thing: earplugs…:)

a delicious twist

san sebastián is famous for being a culinary destination, with the largest per capita number of michelin-starred restaurants in the world. during the festival you can enjoy the traditional basque kitchen, based mostly in seafood and meat, in the best restaurants across spain. try the popular bacalao (salt cold) al pil pil, the marmatiko (a tuna pot), the grilled and roast meats or the traditional dessert gâteau basque.

besides of the high quality restaurants, the basque country is also famous for their pintxos, a small snack consisiting of small slices of bread upon which an ingredient or mixture of ingredients. during the festival the bars are open all day long serving drinks and a high variety of typical basque pintxos.

taking in tamborrada festival in san sebastian, spain is all about the drums, chefs, great food, and world-class drinks. it is also about fun – it is a celebration, of course. if you’re a lover of food and drink (or just like a good time), then the tamborrada festival might just be an excellent choice for your next spanish holidays.