San Sebastián Film Festival
The San Sebastián Film Festival (SSIFF) is one of Europe’s most prestigious film festivals, held annually in September in Donostia-San Sebastián, with premieres, industry activity, and public screenings.
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January
Tamborrada de San Sebastián
At the stroke of midnight on 20 January, the entire city of San Sebastián erupts into drums. The Tamborrada is one of Spain's most extraordinary traditions: for exactly 24 hours, over 15,000 drummers in more than 100 companies parade through the streets, playing without pause until midnight strikes again. Dressed as soldiers and cooks, they honour their patron saint — San Sebastián — in a thunderous celebration that defines Basque identity and civic pride.
July
BBK Live
BBK Live is one of Spain's top music festivals, set on Mount Cobetas above Bilbao with stunning views of the Basque coastline. Three days of major international and Spanish acts across rock, indie, and electronic music, just minutes from the Guggenheim city.
August
Aste Nagusia
Aste Nagusia (Great Week) is Bilbao's biggest annual celebration. For nine days in August, the Basque city transforms with concerts, fireworks, street theatre, and the beloved Marijaia figure presiding over it all. It's a free, open festival with incredible energy.
August
Semana Grande San Sebastián
Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia in Basque) is San Sebastián's biggest annual celebration, transforming the elegant coastal city into a week-long party every August. Centred around the International Fireworks Competition over La Concha Bay, the festival combines world-class pyrotechnics with concerts, traditional Basque sports, street theatre and gastronomy. It's the cultural highlight of summer in the Basque Country.