Christmas in San Sebastian

Christmas in San Sebastian

If anything characterises Spain then it is the diversity of traditions due to the differences between regions such as the Basque country, Catalonia, Galicia, and Andalusia up to the 17 autonomous communities that make up Spain. In a previous blog we gave a general overview of Spanish traditions, touching on some of the most deep-rooted traditions in Catalonia like the Christmas Log, and the Basque country with their Olerentzo. Just like any good Basque city, San Sebastian has it own traditions, which is reflected in the Christmas activities that they celebrate and which we have described below so that you can fully enjoy your stay in San Sebastian this Christmas, that has to be really pretty at this time of year with the cold and the snow that is anticipated to fall.

Saint Thomas’s Fair

Every 21^st of December one of the most important fairs of the year takes place in San Sebastian, which is none other than the Saint Thomas’s Fair.  This fair selling farm produce with articles on exhibition as well as on sale will be taking place in Plaza Constitución in addition to other locations in the city. There will be contests between the products on offer, a live pig that will be exhibited in the grounds will be raffled off, and you will be able to try a bocadillo de chistorra (a sandwich with a kind of Basque chorizo) on sale in some of the street stalls, or in some of the bars in the city that have been equipped for this tradition and sell this snack. The origin of this fair is unclear, however it would appear that in the past when winter arrived the farmhouses, houses, and big houses mainly situated in the city marked this date as when their tenants would come down to the city and pay the annual rent. This is the reason for which they came to the city with money and food so as to get some more money for winter that was just around the corner. Thus, in the city squares they exchanged all kinds of farmyard birds, vegetables, crafts, and food products. So, if you would like to take part in an eminently Basque tradition, now you know to take a wander around the Saint Thomas’s Fair on the 21^st of December.

Christmas Craft fair

If you fancy taking something really traditional back with you from the Basque country, then you should head down to the XXXVII edition of the Christmas Craft FairinSan Sebastian that is celebrated from the 17^th of December to the 5^th of January. In this fair spanning over 600 metre squares and set up on the intersection of the streets Reyes Catolicas and Urdaneta, you will find mainly craftworks, jewellery, ceramics, and traditional clothes from the Basque Country although you can also buy other crafts products from other Spanish provinces and regions invited to participate in this festive event.

Children’s Christmas Park

So that children have a very fun Christmas, San Sebastian organises a Children’s Christmas Park every year which takes place from the 27^th of December to the 4^th of January in the Palacio de Kursaal, and which comprises a multitude of children’s activities with presents for those attending. Amongst the abundance of activities on offer aimed at the little ones there will be trampolines, bouncy castles, raffles, performances and other fun things to do in this park spanning over an impressive 3.000 metre squares that will also be hosting a toy library, workshops, and children’s play area for all ages. There will also be a stage for a spot of karaoke, jugglers, magicians, mimers, and a tombola with different prizes to be won, everything that is guaranteed to make sure that children have fun this Christmas in San Sebastian.

Three Kings and Olentzero

Basque children are very lucky because thanks to the combination of traditions they receive presents two days over Christmas. We mentioned previously that on the 24^th of December Olentzero, a jolly coal merchant comes down from the mountain to spread the good news of Jesus’ birth on the streets of San Sebastian in a special parade. Well, in this parade he gives out presents to good children, more or less like Father Christmas but Basque style. Then, on the 6^th of January children continue to receive presents from the Reyes Magos (Three Kings). As part of this tradition, children and their families gather on the streets on the 5^th of January to watch the Kings’ parade and greet the Three Kings who have come all the way from the Middle East to hand out their best presents to good children. Now, that is lucky!

Claudia – Marketing Team