San Sebastián Carnival (and Caldereros)

According to Donostia Kultura’s festival calendar, the carnival in San Sebastián (Donostia) will take place from 4 to 9 February 2027. It brings together the historic comparsas (carnival troupes), the traditional Basque carnival and more contemporary comparsas.

A little history

• The first comparsas date from 1814. They brought together groups of students, friends and craftsmen’s guilds, to music by Sarriegi and Etxagarai.
• In 1882, the way the carnival was organised was completely overhauled. By around 1900, its reputation was such that it was compared to the Venice Carnival.

A typical programme

Here is how the 2026 edition, held from 12 to 17 February, unfolded:

• Friday evening: presentation of the comparsas at the San Sebastián Arena
• Saturday and Sunday, late afternoon: 26 comparsas parade through the town centre
• The following weekend: parades in the Riberas de Loiola and Amara neighbourhoods (20 comparsas), followed by the Altza Piñata (23 comparsas)

The 2027 programme will be published by Donostia Kultura.

The Caldereros, a prelude

The Caldereros (‘coppersmiths’) open the carnival season. On 2 February 1884, Candlemas, the first procession of ‘Hungarian coppersmiths’ paraded through San Sebastián. Today, thousands of people make their way through the Parte Vieja (Old Town), banging metal kitchen utensils and singing the traditional tunes. In 2026, the main parade set off from Fermín Calbetón street at 21:30 and finished in Plaza de la Constitución at around 01:40.

As a rule, the Caldereros take place on the first Saturday of February or the Saturday after Candlemas. For 2027, Donostia Kultura has announced them for 30 January.

Guide: San Sebastián.

Sources

• Donostia Kultura — Festival calendar: Carnival 4–9 February 2027, Caldereros 30 January 2027 (in Spanish)
• Donostia Kultura — Carnival (in Spanish)
• Donostia Kultura — Caldereros/as (in Spanish)