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San Sebastian Christmas 2024

The best holiday event site on earth.

Last updated: 11 de November de 2024

Discover San Sebastian's Christmas spirit with our complete festive events guide. From traditional markets to cultural activities, you'll find everything you need to enjoy this special time in the Gipuzkoan capital.

Constitution Square transforms into the heart of celebrations, hosting the main Christmas market with its local craft and gastronomy stalls. La Concha Promenade and the Old Quarter are adorned with lights and decorations, while the Old Part hosts numerous gastronomic and cultural events. Traditional nativity scenes are displayed at various iconic locations throughout the city, from the Good Shepherd Cathedral to the City Hall.

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San Sebastian Holiday Light Displays

Christmas Lights Switch-on

What to Expect
Flyboard show over the river.
Description
The inauguration of Christmas in San Sebastián includes the lighting of the lights and the opening of the market stalls in the Paseo de Francia and Plaza Ramón Labayen. A concert by the Orfeón Donostiarra will precede a flyboard show over the river, followed by the lighting of the city's lights and a fireworks display.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Christmas Lights Switch-on
Tags : Light display, Christmas market, Flyboards, Fireworks.

San Sebastian Holiday Markets and Shopping

Christmas Market

What to Expect
Wooden stalls with magical decorations and personalized shows.
Description
The Christmas Market of San Sebastián is a standout event in the northern region, surprising with its exhibitors and offering a unique place to make holiday purchases. The wooden stalls along the Urumea River offer typical products, magical decorations, and personalized shows.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Christmas Market
Tags : Christmas market, holiday shopping, magical decorations, personalized shows.

Christmas Ferris Wheel

What to Expect
Ferris wheel in the city center.
Description
The Christmas Market in Donostia/San Sebastián offers a variety of products and activities for all tastes, from flea markets to ice skating rinks and Ferris wheels.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Christmas Ferris Wheel
Tags : Christmas Market, Ferris wheel, Children's activities, Holiday traditions.

Mercadabadillo Market

What to Expect
Second-hand market with over 100 stalls each day.
Description
Mercadabadillo is a second-hand, vintage, and antique market held in the lower levels of Kursaal in Donostia-San Sebastián. It features over 100 stalls each day with handmade crafts.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Mercadabadillo Market
Tags : Second-hand market, vintage, antiques, handmade crafts, Donostia-San Sebastián

Handicraft Market

What to Expect
A wide variety of handmade and typical Christmas products in a festive atmosphere.
Description
The San Sebastián Christmas Market is an event that brings visitors together with a carefully curated selection of decorated and filled stalls with typical seasonal products. Located on the Paseo del Urumea and Plaza Ramón Labayen, it offers a unique experience with food, handicrafts, gifts, and Christmas decorations.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Handicraft Market
Tags : Christmas Market, San Sebastián, Christmas products, handicrafts, gifts

St. Thomas' Day

What to Expect
Celebration of txistorra and traditional products in a rural market.
Description
The Santo Tomás Fair is a rural celebration that transforms Donostia/San Sebastián into a vibrant market where txistorra is the star. The stalls offer a variety of traditional products such as talos, homemade goods, and handicrafts.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : St. Thomas' Day
Tags : txistorra, talos, homemade goods, handicrafts, rural market

San Sebastian Holiday Shows and Entertainment

Saharari Kantari Concert

What to Expect
Solidarity concert to support the Sahrawi people.
Description
Saharari Kantari is a solidarity concert that brings together a large ensemble of Basque artists to support the Sahrawi people through music. The concert features performances by Basque and Sahrawi artists, aiming to raise funds for the protection of Sahrawi cultural heritage.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Saharari Kantari Concert
Tags : Solidarity music, Sahrawi people, concert, Basque culture, humanitarian support.

Los Secretos - Christmas Solidarity Concert

What to Expect
Charity concert featuring iconic tracks by Los Secretos.
Description
Los Secretos will headline Super Amara's new Christmas charity concert with an exciting and optimistic show, featuring iconic tracks like “Déjame” and recent songs.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Los Secretos - Christmas Solidarity Concert
Tags : Charity concert, Los Secretos, Christmas, Kursaal Donostia

Magical Christmas

What to Expect
Combination of magic with local music.
Description
Gabon Magikoak is a show that combines magic with Errenteria's music, offering a unique and exciting atmosphere.
Where
Errenteria | More Info : Magical Christmas
Tags : magic, music, Errenteria, show

San Sebastian Holiday Giving Opportunities

Second-hand Toy Collection

What to Expect
Toy collection to give a new life to children.
Description
The second-hand toy collection is a solidarity initiative that collects toys at the Hegalak Sports Center from December 1 to 20. The collected toys are destined for two associations that will sell or distribute them among disadvantaged families in Gipuzkoa.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Second-hand Toy Collection
Tags : Toy collection, solidarity, donation, second-hand toys, Gipuzkoa.

San Sebastian Other Holiday Activities

Olentzero and Mari Domingi

What to Expect
City tour with mythological characters and festive elements.
Description
Olentzero and Mari Domingi are the mythological characters who come to Donostia / San Sebastián on December 24th for the children to meet them and deliver their wish letters.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Olentzero and Mari Domingi
Tags : Olentzero, Mari Domingi, Christmas, Donostia, San Sebastián, mythological characters, holiday activities.

The Three Wise Men

What to Expect
Parade through the city center with floats and animation groups.
Description
The Three Kings Parade is a traditional event celebrating the arrival of the Three Kings in San Sebastián. The Three Kings, accompanied by their royal entourage and various animation groups, parade through the city center streets, distributing candies and gifts to children.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : The Three Wise Men
Tags : Three Kings Parade, San Sebastián, Three Kings, parade, gifts, candies.

Tricycle Tours

What to Expect
Tricycle tours for seniors with reduced mobility.
Description
Tricycle tours offer a relaxing and accessible experience for all, allowing you to explore San Sebastián in a sustainable way and enjoy its natural landscapes.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Tricycle Tours
Tags : Tricycle tours, accessibility, sustainability, tourism, San Sebastián

Gabon Kontxapuzon Event

What to Expect
Solidarity event with community participation.
Description
Gabon Kontxapuzon is a solidarity event that brings the community together for a sports and social day, promoting unity and collective effort.
Where
San Sebastian | More Info : Gabon Kontxapuzon Event
Tags : Solidarity, community, sports, event

Mari Domingi's Magical Republic Visit

What to Expect
Magical tour that combines ancestral customs with current rituals.
Description
At Mari Domingi's caserío, children will learn about the way of life from yesteryears. By combining ancestral customs with current rituals, they will experience Christmas in a unique way.
Where
Errenteria | More Info : Mari Domingi's Magical Republic Visit
Tags : Christmas, ancestral customs, nature, galtzagorris, magical tour

Storytelling

What to Expect
Storytelling sessions in municipal libraries.
Description
The municipal libraries of Pasaia organize Cuentacuentos, an activity that promotes reading and information exchange through story narrations.
Where
Pasai San Pedro | More Info : Storytelling
Tags : Storytelling, reading, libraries, Pasaia.