Every year, a celebration which is awaited with special charm and eagerness by all the citizens of St. Sebastian takes place on the 20th of January takes place: the Tamborrada in San Sebastián.

Its origins are uncertain, but it seems that the Tamborrada started at the beginning of the 19th century, with time becoming a tradition to celebrate the day of the Saint Patron of the city in this noisy and lively festivity. For 24 hours the city of San Sebastian does not rest with the noise and the celebration of the different precessions making their drums and barrels resound.

The celebration kicks off with dinner on the 19th of January, where, according to tradition, some good baby eels must be eaten, nowadays nearly imposible to eat due to their very high price. At midnight everybody goes to the Plaza de la Constitución, where the flag is hoisted and the representatives of the different precessions interpret the hymns. During 24 hours the city is a celebration of drums and barrels. The protagonists of the festivity are happiness and the good atmosphere, and there is no street or neighbourhood from which the processions cannot be heard. At midnight the flag taken down again, and thus the festivities come an end.