La Semana Grande San Sebastian
Every year, the Spanish city of San Sebastian celebrates its Grande Semana during the week of August 15, which coincides with the Day of the Virgin. This series of days and evenings combines the international fireworks competition with the various local games for which the Basque country is famous. Although San Sebastian is on the Spanish side of the border, it shares the Basque culture. During the semana Grande, Basque customs are the order of the day, combined with fireworks, music, horse racing and sports. These activities are aimed at all ages, with everyone taking part in the festivities. Discover this festival from your Pays Basque campsite.
A week of festivities in the Basque Country
The start of the festivities always begins with the traditional cannon shot, or “canonazo” in Spanish. In 2020, this long-awaited departure will take place in the gardens of Alderdi Eder at 8 p.m. on the evening of Saturday August 8. Every evening, fireworks will be the order of the day. There will also be concerts. And then there’s the swim across La Concha Bay, one of the most prestigious in the world.
During the day, a beach volleyball tournament, races at the racecourse and herri-kirolak demonstrations will enliven the event. These typically rural Basque games of strength and skill are also part of Semana Grande San Sebastian.
This year, these not-to-be-missed events will take place from August 8 to 15, 2020. The world’s greatest pyrotechnicians are eagerly awaiting this event to fire their finest works.
The must-attend event for the world’s top pyrotechnicians
Semana Grande San Sebastian is synonymous with fireworks competitions. Indeed, this international competition is one of the attractions that fascinates the public during these festivities. On the one hand, the festival’s reputation is attracting an increasing number of pyrotechnicians from all over the world.
On the other hand, tourists come to the area to admire a unique spectacle. In fact, every evening, a different firework display is fired into the Spanish sky, just above the bay of La Concha, leaving an impressive reflection in the sea. This exceptional setting further enhances the pyrotechnics. Rendezvous at 10:45 p.m. for fireworks lovers.
Why come to the Grande Semana Sebastian?
Experts in the field come to confront the best Spanish companies for the occasion. These are pyrotechnicians of various nationalities: Swedish, German, Italian, etc. All of which goes to show that the competition enjoys enormous prestige worldwide. In other words, its fame extends beyond the Franco-Spanish border. In view of all this, it’s impossible to resist the Semana Grande San Sebastian at this time of year. As this week coincides with the summer vacations, you could go camping in the Basque country, and stay in the surrounding sites to better contemplate the beauty of these pyrotechnics, glittering with a thousand lights as night falls.
