Tamborrada, enjoy the big day of Donostia – San Sebastián at a good pace.

Drums and barrels mark the rhythm to follow in the Tamborrada, the big day of Donostia-San Sebastián.

On January 20 the streets of Donostia-San Sebastian are filled with drums and barrels to celebrate the famous Tamborrada, (danborrada in Basque), the day of its patron saint. The day of the Tamborrada is one of the most awaited days of the year by the Donostiarras, the atmosphere that is lived that day in the streets of this emblematic Basque city is witness of it. We recommend to attend once in a lifetime to this authentic Basque party, 100% Basque, 100% authentic, come enjoy and take a nice souvenir of Donostia / San Sebastian.

History of the Tamborrada: The Tamborrada had its origin in 1836 in the carnival of the capital of Guipuzcoa. This generated that the people of San Sebastian took as a tradition to celebrate the day of their patron saint by walking the streets of their city. Drums and barrels were not part of the tamborrada until several years later, when the people of San Sebastian changed the costumes they used to wear for the military uniforms of the time. The first uniforms that were used were a replica of the uniforms used by the Guipuzcoan battalions in the war of independence. With the passage of time several companies joined the tamborrada and with it came the variety of uniforms.

Sculpture in tribute to Sarriegi, Tamborrada

Today, more than 126 companies, made up of 20-55 drummers, 50-110 barrels, a brass band, standard bearers, bartenders and their uniforms, travel the streets of Donostia-San Sebastián, turning the city into a real spectacle.

Curiosities of the tamborrada:

-Its origin is not very clear, some think that the origin of the tamborrada could be the drumming that the women of the service made on the horseshoes while they were waiting for their turn in 1836. On the other hand, we have the hypothesis that more force has and that we have already mentioned it in this same article, the Tamborrada one of the comparsas of the Carnival Donostiarra.

San Sebastian Tamborrada

The first years of the tamborrada were made only with barrels, years later they were joined by the well-known drums.

-The march of San Sebastian was written by Raimundo Sarriegi Etxeberria in 1860.

-Although it may seem unbelievable, today there are still only men’s tamborradas, although there are more and more mixed and female tamborradas.

Concession of trophies: During the tamborrada numerous prizes are granted among which we emphasize Tambor de oro and the medal to the citizen merit.

Golden Drum: According to article 33, the Golden Drum will be awarded to the person who during his daily acts and his professional or personal career contributes actively to positively enhance the image of the city.