Donostia changes its breathing when Euskal Jaiak 2025 arrive. The daily stride loosens and the squares reclaim their old role as places to gather: Plaza de la Trinidad becomes a stage again, Plaza de la Constitución — “La Consti” to locals — turns into an open-air living room, and the slopes of Urgull, echoing the sea, remind you that some celebrations are earned on foot. No blare, just tempo. The city recognises itself in small gestures — a circle that makes room, a txistu melody rounding a corner, an artisan stall with a face and a story — and in that human scale that lets you look, join in, and, almost without noticing, stay a little longer.

Euskal Jaiak 2025 in Donostia

Its backbone is both cultural and everyday. Dances you can pick up in two turns of the wrist; herri kirolak (Basque rural sports) close enough to feel wood creak and iron weigh; bertsos (improvised verse) that slice into the present with a grin. Between them, a craft fair returns the texture of the handmade to the city centre, and the museum opens its doors to the giants so you can meet them up close, not only when they parade. It’s a gentle way of taking over public space: the city becomes classroom, stage and town square at once.

Out in the bay, traineras — traditional rowing shells — set the pace. The picture is familiar and still gives you goosebumps: taut water, tight turns at the buoy, a low murmur that swells exactly where it should. It needs no explaining; that shared hum schedules the days and puts a time on excitement. A marine heartbeat that stitches September to the shoreline, year after year.

In the Old Town, Sagardo Eguna brings cider into the streets, naturally. The txotx — that quick, no-nonsense pour — works like a little green light: a nod, a stream of cider, a shared glass. People compare notes — “drier”, “rounder” — and the conversation does the rest. For a few hours, the square becomes an open-air cider house and the city plays host: sea and apple, effort and toast — two ways of saying the same thing.

Memory finds its place too, without pomp. The climb up Urgull, the reading of capitulations, the descent to the Boulevard: a civic choreography that ties the festival to the city’s recent past, like leafing through a family album. Not a pause between events but the thread that binds past and present so the whole thing makes sense.

Everything else slots in easily: morning street music that loosens the day, romerías that stretch the afternoon, giant wooden games that give families a breather, music drifting under the Urumea’s bridges. Nothing is grandiose and yet everything leaves a mark. Here, September isn’t counted in days but in moments: an oar crossing the line, glasses clinking again, a dance circle adopting a passer-by. Quietly, the city opens up and recognises itself. That, in the end, is Euskal Jaiak.

FULL PROGRAM

(Times shown in 12-hour format. Place names as used locally.)

Wednesday, September 3

• 6:00 pm · Regatas de San Sebastián 2025 – XVIII Bandera de La Concha (women), qualifying · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Vibe: a serious, electric start; crews fight for a spot in ten–twelve intense minutes.
  Tip: arrive early — the bay fills up fast and the sea breeze can feel cool.

Thursday, September 4

• 6:00 pm · Regatas de San Sebastián 2025 – Bandera de La Concha (men), qualifying · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Watch for: pinpoint turns at the ciaboga buoy and that dockside tension.
  Plus: the crowd’s murmur works like a metronome for the stroke rate.

Saturday, September 6

• 10:00 am–2:00 pm · XXIV Organic Farmers’ Market · Boulevard · Organiser: Biolur.
  Up close: local producers, sourdough loaves, vegetables that still smell of soil.
  Idea: perfect for a late breakfast with seasonal fruit.
• 11:00 am–1:45 pm · Sagardo Eguna · Plaza de la Constitución (“La Consti”) · Tasting of ciders from 40 cider houses in Gipuzkoa (per the program).
  Feel: the square turns into a txotxaleku — an open-air cider spot; clinking glasses, apples turned into cider, conversations rolling on.
  Tip: find shade under the arcades and alternate sips with a savoury pintxo.
• 11:00 am · Gipuzkoa Tomato Contest & Showcase · Boulevard · Bidean Elkartea & Cofradía Vasca de Gastronomía · With Blasenea Hazitegi Ekologikoa.
  Curiosity: a Pantone of reds and yellows; proof that a great tomato needs little more than salt.
• 12:00 pm · Kantu Jira · Route: c/ Loiola (Mercado San Martín) → Parte Vieja.
  Mood: songs in Basque, naturally; anyone can join the refrains.
• 5:00 pm · 5th Bowling Championship (qualifiers) · Parque Arrobitxulo · Gipuzkoan Bowling & Toka Federation.
  Detail: precision you can hear; that clean thud of wood is oddly hypnotic.
• 6:00 pm · Herri Kirolak – Jarana Herri Kirol Taldea · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Expect: aizkolaris (log-choppers), stone lifters, tug-of-war… strength and skill at arm’s length.
• 7:00 pm · Esku Dantza (open circle dance) · Plaza de la Constitución · With Gipuzkoako Euskal Dantzarien Biltzarra & Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Join in: circles, linked hands; you learn by dancing.
• 7:30 pm · Txalaparta · Plaza de la Trinidad · With ZURARTEAN.
  Sound: wood on wood; rain-like rhythms on planks.
• 7:45 pm · Euskal Erromeria · Plaza de la Constitución · Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Atmosphere: a village dance that carries your feet along; a light-footed way to end the day.

@descubredonostia.com

Sagardo Eguna 2025 Donostia En Donosti, la sidra no se bebe, ¡se bendice! Donostia-San Sebastián se viste de fiesta para el Sagardo Eguna, un día en el que la sidra es la verdadera protagonista. Es una celebración de nuestra cultura, gastronomía y tradición. Un día para reír, compartir y, por supuesto, disfrutar del sabor único de la sidra vasca. ¿Te lo has a perdido? ¡Gora Sagardo Eguna! 🍎🍏 #SagardoEguna #Donostia #SanSebastian #Euskadi #SidraVasca #Txotx #FiestasPopulares #PaisVasco #GastronomiaVasca

♬ sonido original – descubredonostia.com

Gaztelu Eguna (Saturday, September 6)

• 11:30 am · Departure · Plaza de la Trinidad.
• 12:30 pm · Reading of the capitulations · Atrio de Santa María.
• 2:30 pm · Community meal at the “Macho” on Urgull.
• 5:00 pm · Romería · Batería de Santiago.
• 7:00 pm · Descent from the castle with a stop at the English Cemetery.
• 8:30 pm · Reading of the Zubieta Acts · Boulevard.
  Context: a civic re-enactment linked to 1813.
  Practical: wear grippy-soled shoes — Urgull is steep and stony.

Sunday, September 7

• 9:00 am · Zortziko de Regatas through the streets · Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Gentle wake-up: melodies that put the city in motion before the rowing.
• 10:30 am · Old Town street music · Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Bridge to the bay: a rolling warm-up toward the water.
• 11:00 am · Regattas – XVIII Bandera de La Concha (women), first day · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Key: clean start and tight turn; the tide calls the shots.
• 12:00 pm · Regattas – Bandera de La Concha (men), first day · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Rhythm: close your eyes and you’ll hear the “Aupa!” from the docks marking time.
• 6:00 pm · Solo Dance Contest · Plaza de la Constitución · Gipuzkoako Dantzarien Biltzarra.
  Applause guaranteed: elegance, berets, quick spins; the square becomes a stage.

Monday, September 8

• 3:30 pm · 26th Donostialdea Hand-Pelota Championship (semifinals; youth to senior) · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Detail: fronton, leather, wall; the beauty of impact at close range.
• 7:00 pm · Poesia Orduak: “Lurdes Iriondo, Isilarazitako Ahotsa” · Sala Club, Teatro Victoria Eugenia · Same-day invitations at the box office.
  Tone: words and music in an intimate homage.

Tuesday, September 9

• 3:30 pm · 26th Donostialdea Hand-Pelota Championship (semifinals) · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Spirit: up-and-comers with clean technique.
• 7:00 pm · Tribute to Julio Villar: “Eh, Petrel!” (staged reading with music) · Sala Club, Teatro Victoria Eugenia · Bilingual · Same-day invitations.
  Journey: sea and memory; a story with sea spray.

Wednesday, September 10

• 5:30 pm · Basque Children’s Cinema: “Sagu eta Pagu: Altxor Handia” (dir. Engin Bastürk) · San Jerónimo Conference Room.
  Family-friendly: warm animation and gentle humour.
• 7:00 pm · Poesia Orduak: “Itzalen Tektonika” · Sala Club, Teatro Victoria Eugenia · Same-day invitations.
  A distinct voice: poems that walk with purpose; verses like river stones.
• 7:00 pm · “Donostia ezagutzen duzu?” Kahoot Quiz (ages 14–20) · San Jerónimo Conference Room.
  Lively: quick questions, friendly rivalry — and local trivia as a bonus.

Thursday, September 11

• 3:30 pm · 26th Donostialdea Hand-Pelota Championship (finals) · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Peak: knife-edge matches; the crowd is the sternest judge.
• 9:30 pm · Basque Cinema outdoors: “Kneecap” (dir. Rich Peppiatt) · Plaza de la Trinidad · Rain plan: Plaza de la Constitución.
  Under the night sky: bring a light jacket and the pleasure of watching a film together.

Friday, September 12

• 5:30 pm · 10th Euskal Jaiak “Toca” Championship (kids) followed by the 12th Championship (adults) · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Living tradition: simple rules, serious aim.
• 6:00 pm · 7th Euskal Jaiak Marmitako Cook-off – Josu Esnal Memorial · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Nose & spoon: every pot a school; bonito, garlic, wine in the air.
• 10:00 pm · Romería with Zatekeen · Plaza de la Trinidad.
  Happy ending: light feet, easy smiles, and that “five more minutes” that stretches on.

Saturday, September 13

• From 11:00 am · 81st La Concha Bay Swim · Organiser: EASWIM Artistika Anoeta 21 · With Real Club Náutico.
  Postcard Donostia: lines of swimmers crossing the bay.
• From 11:30 am · 23rd Urgull Cross – Jonpa Prize · Start: Sociedad Fotográfica · Kids 11:30 am · Adults 12:00 pm · Sign-ups 11:00 am.
  Terrain: trail, rock, views; short, but it bites.
• 12:00 pm · Dulzaina players in the Old Town streets.
  Local colour: bright melodies around every corner.
• 12:00 pm · 13th Inter-Societies “Luis Irizar” Hake a la Donostiarra Contest · Plaza de la Trinidad · Organiser: Fundación Etiopía–Utopía.
  Classic: the sauce is the exam.
• 12:00 pm · Muxikoak with Jeiki Hadi · Plaza de la Constitución · Organiser: Herridantza – Dantza Taldea Elkartea.
  Join in: cheerful, repetitive steps — perfect for shedding shyness.
• 1:30 pm · 17th Larrain Dantza · Plaza de la Constitución.
  Joyful ritual: the square beats in circles.
• 5:00 pm · Dragon Descent from Urgull · With the Old Town Giants & Big-Heads troupe.
  For kids — and not just kids: surprise and laughter; cameras ready.
• 5:30 pm · 5th Bowling Championship (finals) · Parque Arrobitxulo.
  Finale: frames decided by centimetres.
• 6:00 pm · Giant wooden games (kids) & chocolate party · Plaza Zuloaga.
  Family plan: busy hands, sweet snack.
• 7:30 pm · Iker Lauroba in canoe · Río Urumea (meet: Plaza de las Lavanderas) · Sign-up: arrauning.com.
  Something different: music floating downstream; bridges as natural acoustics.
• 9:00 pm · Fire bull · Plaza Zuloaga.
  Friendly reminder: sparks and sprints — keep a safe distance with little ones.
• 10:00 pm · Donostia Bertsotan · Plaza de la Trinidad · With Maider Arregi, Amets Arzallus, Beñat Gaztelumendi, Agin Laburu, Maialen Lujanbio, Alaia Martin · Theme: Imanol Artola.
  Live art: sharp, improvised verse in Basque; wit, irony, ovations.

Sunday, September 14

• 9:00 am · Zortziko de Regatas · Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Sound ritual: a prelude to the big moment.
• 10:30 am · Old Town street music · Banda Municipal de Txistularis.
  Citywide warm-up: the historic centre hums.
• 11:00 am · Regattas – XVIII Bandera de La Concha (women), second day · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Title on the line: when the clock bites, every stroke is gold.
• 11:00 am · Joselontxos & Los Bebés de la Bulla liven up the port.
  Colour: a cheeky brass band to lift the mood.
• 12:00 pm · Regattas – Bandera de La Concha (men), second day · Bahía de La Concha. Advance tickets.
  Grand finish: hush at the buoy, roar on the line — then, suddenly, flares and hugs.
• 2:00 pm · Sardine feast · Plaza Sarriegi · With trikitilaris Estanga.
  Tasty close: bread, sardine, music; simple and happy.

Ongoing (September 3–14)

• 5th Euskal Jaiak Craft Fair · Alderdi Eder · Lur Kolektiboa.
  Easy amble: wood, ceramics, jewellery; pieces with a story.
• City Giants · Exhibition in the cloister at San Telmo Museum (except Monday).
  Up close: meeting the figures that later bring magic to the streets.

Author: Descubre Donostia