Follow this part of the trail
6 articles
Every night of Semana Grande, San Sebastián’s August festival, ends with a fireworks competition over La Concha Bay. Here’s how to find a good spot, whether to book a boat tour, and what to know before you go.
Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia) is San Sebastián's biggest summer festival, held annually in August. This guide covers the fireworks competition, concerts, traditional sports, family activities, and practical tips for enjoying the celebration like a local.
Semana Grande, also known as the Fiestas de Santiago, is Santander's grandest annual celebration, offering ten days of free concerts, gastronomic stalls, and fireworks in honor of Saint James. Dive into its medieval roots, plan around the chupinazo, and find the best spots to enjoy the festivities.
Semana Grande Santander starts with the peñas parade, the chupinazo from the town hall balcony, and a night concert in Porticada. Plan your opening day.
Semana Grande fills Santander with concerts, fireworks, and crowds every late July. Choosing the right base—near El Sardinero or in the city center—shapes your festival experience. This guide weighs proximity against quiet, explains what to book early, and suggests what to do when the city fills up.
Aste Nagusia, or Semana Grande, is Bilbao's biggest street festival, held for nine days in late August. From the rocket launch at the Arriaga Theatre to free concerts, txosnas along El Arenal, nightly fireworks, and parades of giants, it's a nonstop celebration of Basque culture. Learn what to expect, how to plan, and why you should join the crowds.
