Tamborrada de Donostia is a food festival in San Sebastián.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Free public event; the midnight raising of the flag in Plaza de la Constitucion is the opening moment.
Address: Plaza de la Constitucion, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, San Sebastián
Sagardo Berriaren Eguna in mid-January in Astigarraga, 7km from San Sebastian, marks the official opening of the txotx season with a citywide.
Tip: Buy the bracelet at participating cider houses; the txotx menu is 35 to 40 euros including all the cider you drink.
The San Sebastian Film Festival in late September each year at the Kursaal runs a parallel programme of chef dinners, hotel restaurant weeks.
Tip: Book Arzak and Akelarre two months ahead during the festival fortnight; the city is full.
San Sebastian Gastronomika at the Kursaal in San Sebastian's Gros is the world's first international gastronomy congress since 1999, with chef demos.
Tip: Three-day pass 200 to 400 euros; the Saturday public day is the most accessible. Book early; chef talks sell out.
Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia in San Sebastian, running around August 15 each year, is the city's main festival week with food stalls, the international.
Tip: Free entry; food stalls priced individually. Book accommodation 3 months ahead; the city fills up.
Sagardo Apurua in early December in San Sebastian celebrates the arrival of the new season's Basque cider, with cider tastings, the recreated Igartubeiti.
Tip: Free entry; tastings 2 to 4 euros each. The opening oxcart procession from the Urumea is the highlight.
