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2015


Feel the Rhythm in La Tamborrada Festival

Not yet published by Vanessa Boiser

Country: Spain

The Experience

January in San Sebastian Spain is the time of the year for La Tamborrada Festiva (The Drum Festival). This is held in conjunction with the town's patron saint's feast day, St. Sebastian. La Tamborrada Festiva is held in mid-January and is one of the most famous festivals in Spain. It starts when the city mayor raises the flag at midnight and the parade of the drums commences from the Plaza de la Constitucion through the streets of the city until the next midnight. Participants dressed as soldiers and bakers will outperform each other with the loudness and the rhythm of the drum-banging. Festivities are mostly held in the plaza where there will be enough activities and contests for children and adults alike.

When to Go

The best time to see the La Tamborrada Festiva is on the evening of the January 19th. Prepare to be up for 24 hours to witness the start of the ceremony and to participate in the "Noche de la Tamborrada" or elaborate midnight meals that are prepared on the Plaza de la Constitucion and other restaurants that offer exclusive noches dela Tamborrada. If you want to experience the drum festival, prepare yourselves for a crowded and noisy occasion as lots of people will definitely attend the celebration. Presently, there are almost 100 marching bands participating in La Tamborrada Festiva, all of them will follow a pre-designated route and tour the whole city with non-stop drumming. Better skip the celebration if you are only planning to sleep the whole time! Nevertheless, San Sebastian cuisine is one of the reasons why you should not miss the La Tamborrada Festiva. It features the popular basque or tapas cuisine found all over Spain. Visiting San Sebastian in the low season, as in January, is advantageous because hotel rooms will be cheaper by as much as $30. But also be aware that the weather in San Sebastian in January will be chilly with some occasional rain showers. Bring clothes and shoes that will keep you warm especially in the evening.

Odds n' Ends

There are no restrictions as to how one should do things in La Tamborrada Festiva, just avoid engaging in heated political and religious debates and you'll do fine. ATMs are available but if you want to save time and keep from taking time off from La Tamborrada Festiva to draw money; the currency used in San Sebastian is Euro. Also, if you want a unique and exclusive midnight meal experience with a tour guide to boot, check out "The San Sebastian Food". It is a bit expensive, but very much recommended if you are traveling with friends or family for at least 3 days. It includes dining with 5-course meals and unlimited cider. There are also lots of pension houses in San Sebastian. Information is found below so you may check their websites:

Cultural Tour:
San Sebastian Food
Address: Calle Aldamar, 30
Donostia-San Sebastian, 20003 Spain
Website: http://www.sansebastianfood.com/en/products/page_1/unique-cultural-experiences/38/Tamborrada-2012.html
Tel: (US) +1 917 675 4894
Email: info@sansebastianfood.com
Skype: jon-warren

Hotel:
Pension Bellas Artes
Website: http://www.pension-bellasartes.com/
Tel.: 943 474 905
Email: info@pension-bellasartes.com

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Language Guides

Portugese , Spanish are some of the languages spoken in Spain. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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