If you ever think about visiting San Sebastian, you might find the 20th of January as a good option if you like the drums’ sound. The whole city turns into a huge drum concert, where all the locals take part as either drum players or just as excited Donostiarras enjoying the “fiesta”. It is indeed, the locals’ best celebration day. Let us tell you why:

The biggest celebration of San Sebastian is, of course, San Sebastian’s day. It takes place every 20^th January and it is known because of the Tamborrada drum parade. The event starts at 12 o’clock midnight of the 19^th in the Plaza de la Constitucion, when the city flag is raised. The drumming opens with the Sociedad Gaztelubide who plays to melodies by Sarriegi and continues throughout the following 24 hours.

Fuente: diariovasco.com Fotos de José Mari López, Arizmendi y Mikel Fraile

Don’t be scared if you hear the noises of the drums and see groups of soldiers. This tradition of dressing up as french soldiers began in 1836 as part of the local carnival. But after some time inhabitants decided to celebrate the patron saint’s day with drum parades in the streets of San Sebastian.

If you visit the city on January 20th it is impossible not to come across at least one Tamborrada in the streets. Nowadays more than 125 companies (each with 20 to 50 drums and 50 to 100 barrels, accompanied by a brass band, flag-bearers and water-carriers) make of this day, the biggest day of the city.

But this is not just for adults; at 12 o’clock midday of 20th January you can find a drum parade composed by tiny soldiers. This is the kid’s Tamborrada, which starts in front of the city hall and continues through the streets of San Sebastian.

After 24 hours of celebration, locals meet again at 12 o’clock midnight in La Plaza de la Constitucion, where the Union Artesana Tamborrada lowers the flag and brings the end to the festivities until the following year.