Tamborrada of San Sebastian

The beating heart of Donostia comes to life every January 20 in a unique celebration, the Tamborrada of San Sebastian. Immerse yourself in this unique festivity, where the roar of drums and the echo of history merge into an unforgettable spectacle. From the first drumbeat to the exciting lowering , the city is transformed into a scene of joy and tradition.

Join us on this journey through the streets of the Old Town , where each drum tells a story and each beat invites you to celebrate. Discover the origin, the key characters and the soul of a festival that defines the spirit of San Sebastián.

The Tamborrada, a unique festival

The Tamborrada of San Sebastian is the festive essence of Donostia, an event that every January 20 encapsulates the joy and pride of an entire community. For 24 hours, the city is immersed in a sea of ​​sounds, with hundreds of drums and barrels echoing in a vibrant unison that cuts through the heart of the Old Town and beyond.

This festivity not only celebrates the patron saint San Sebastian, but is an act of cultural and social reaffirmation, where neighbors and visitors unite under the rhythm of the “Marcha de San Sebastián” and other traditional melodies. It is a day when Donostia dresses up in history, tradition and celebration, showing the world its unique identity and the cohesion of its people.

Origin and history of the drum

The origin of the Tamborrada of San Sebastian dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, during the Napoleonic occupation of the city. What began as a mockery of the invading soldiers, with citizens replicating their military marches using buckets and kitchen utensils, evolved into a distinctive celebration of San Sebastian identity and spirit.

Over the years, this festival has grown in scale and fervor, incorporating numerous troupes of drummers representing different sectors of San Sebastian society. From its humble beginnings to becoming a spectacle that attracts national and international attention, Tamborrada has maintained its roots, celebrating resistance, community and the beginning of the Carnival festivities.

This event is the living testimony of how a simple parody became the most powerful symbol of the culture and tradition of San Sebastian, uniting generations in a spectacle of pride and belonging.

What does the drum consist of?

The celebration runs from midnight on January 19 to midnight on the 20th. The event begins with the ceremonial raising of the flag in the Plaza de la Constitución, a moment of great emotion that marks the official start of the festivity. From there, the city transforms into a vibrant scene, with the streets filling with music, dance and the synchronized booming of drums and barrels.

Each company, dressed in costumes that recall historical periods or local traditions, parades through the streets of Donostia, performing a repertoire that includes everything from the iconic “Marcha de San Sebastián” to other classic pieces composed specifically for this event.

The celebration reaches its climax with the lowering of the flag, where all participants and spectators gather once again in the Plaza de la Constitución to close the event with one last performance, sealing the unity and pride of the San Sebastian community.

Main events and schedules

The Tamborrada starts punctually at 00:00 with the raising of the flag, followed by the performances of the various drum companies that begin their tour through different parts of the city. These groups, made up of both adults and children, maintain the rhythm of the party throughout the day. The most significant events are distributed throughout the 24 hours, with highlights such as the Children’s Tamborrada that begins at noon and the palpable emotion of the lowering of the flag at midnight, marking the end of the festivities.

Children’s and adult drums

Within the Tamborrada, there is a special recognition of future generations with the children’s Tamborrada, where thousands of boys and girls from San Sebastián have their own space to actively participate in the tradition. Dressed in the same historical costumes as the adults, they begin their parade at 12:00 p.m., filling the city streets with joy, music and color. The adult drums, for their part, follow their established route, each with its specific itinerary and schedule, ensuring that the music and celebration are felt in every corner of San Sebastián. This intertwining of tradition and youth reflects the transmission of cultural values ​​and community commitment that characterizes the Tamborrada of San Sebastian.

Characters and key elements of the Tamborrada

The Tamborrada of San Sebastian is distinguished by the richness of its characters and elements, each one carrying a meaning and a story that represents the culture of Donostia. From cooks to water bearers, to the iconic drums and barrels, the diversity of roles reflects the complexity and tradition of this unique festival. The “March of San Sebastián”, the official anthem of the event, resonates like the heartbeat of the city during the 24 hours of celebration, uniting all participants in a single vibrant heart.

The meaning of costumes and roles

Each costume and role within the Tamborrada has its origin and its reason, telling parts of the history and traditions of San Sebastian. The cooks’ costumes, for example, recall the citizens who, armed with kitchen utensils, mocked the French army during the Napoleonic occupation. The water bearers, for their part, evoke the women who formerly provided water to the city, symbolizing the sustenance and daily life of the San Sebastian community. Drums and barrels, carried by children and adults alike, are not mere musical instruments but symbols of resistance, joy and unity.

Music: heart of the drum

Music is, without a doubt, the soul of the Tamborrada, with the “Marcha de San Sebastián” as its maximum expression. This piece, composed by Raimundo Sarriegui, is more than a hymn; It is a call to celebration, a common thread that unites all generations under the same tradition. Along with it, a repertoire specially composed for this festivity, masterfully executed by the different groups of drummers and barrel makers, creates an atmosphere of emotion and unique belonging.

Lyrics of the “March of San Sebastián”

Bagera!

gu (e)re bai

gu beti pozez, beti alai!

Sebastian bat bada zeruan

Donosti(a) bat bakarra munduan

hura da santua ta hau da herria

horra zer den gure Donostia!

Irutxuloko, Gaztelupeko

Joxemari zahar eta gazte

Joxemari zahar eta gazte

kalerik kale danborra joaz

umore ona zabaltzen hor dihoaz

Joxemari!

Gaurtandik gerora penak zokora

Celebrate! Dantzara!

Donostiarrei oihu egitera gatoz

pozaldiz!

Inauteriak dataz!

By experiencing the magic of the Tamborrada of San Sebastian, you immerse yourself in a rich and vibrant tradition that captures the unique spirit of Donostia. Why not experience this festival and the beauty of San Sebastián in a unique and personalized way? Visit Bike Rental San Sebastian and reserve your electric bike today to explore every corner of this charming city at your own pace.