Top Entertainment in San Sebastián

Regatas de Traineras

These competitive rowing competitions take place between June and September in all the region's coastal villages and towns, but the most important one — la Bandera de la Concha —happens here at noon on the first and second Sundays in September. The tradition is over 100 years old and it makes a spectacular sight. The rowing teams all dress up in their home colors and race against their neighboring village teams the length of La Concha Bay. Thousands of spectators turn up to watch and cheer and then head for the bars in the Parte Vieja.

Cines Príncipe

This is a multiplex cinema converted from the old Cine Príncipe building. It is in the old part of the city, which is always jumping with a lot of bars and restaurants. This complex has six small screens of various sizes, all with digital sound, seating 1,250 in total. There are several cafes and bars nearby, and there is a shop selling sweets and other food within the cinema complex. The Okendo underground car park is also nearby.

Teatro Principal

This theatre was built in 1931 in an eclectic style, on the site of a former 1840s theatre. Outside the entrance stand two sets of columns. There is also a wide balcony which runs all along the facade of the first floor, above which is a large coat of arms. The programme of the theatre is varied, with films, theatrical performances and other shows (reviews, children's festivals, etc.). The theatre, located in the old part of the city, is the official base of the San Sebastian Horror Film Festival. It has one auditorium with seats on several levels, 500 in total, and there are three showings per day. There is a wide range of cafes and bars nearby. In the foyer, a shop sells sweets and other food. To buy tickets online: ( http://www.begira.com ).

Clásica Ciclista Donostia-San Sebastián

Did you know that San Sebastian has been on the route of the Tour de France several times, and that it has even served as its starting point? In fact, San Sebastian has a bicycle race of its own, the Clásica Ciclista Donostia-San Sebastián, a race that started among locals but has gained popularity to the point of becoming a part of the World Cup. The race starts from San Sebastian at around midday and after 200kms around the province of Guipúzcoa, it ends at the Avenida del Boulevard. The race takes place on the second Saturday in August.

Lugaritz

This is a cultural center that focuses on alternative cinema and theatre. It puts on various avant-garde shows and films for children and holds music and theatrical festivals for children all year round. The center, which opened in 1993, has ergonomic seating and is of a modern design. The auditorium has digital sound systems, and there are bars within the complex. The cost varies according to what's showing.

Casa de Okendo

Almirante Okendo's ancestral house, originally dating from 1580, was rebuilt completely in masonry sandstone, transforming the old agricultural character of the former building into a palatial house with a wide entranceway in the form of a half-point arch crowned with a family coat of arms. Inside is a more stately layout with spacious staircases and rooms. In 1939, after being donated to the local council, it was turned into a museum, and after a major renovation in 1984, into a cultural centre. Admission is free.

Clásica Pedestre Behobia-San Sebastián

The most popular long-distance road race in the Basque Country attracts up to 12,000 runners who cover 20km between Behobia on the French border and San Sebastian. Lots of French athletes compete and try to add a bit of carnival atmosphere to the event by dressing up in fancy costumes for the occasion. Locals use it as an excuse to express their strong opinions about social and political issues as they gather in large numbers on the Avenida del Boulevard to cheer on the runners.

Copa de Oro de Aizkolaris

Rural sports competitions are becoming ever scarcer in San Sebastian. One survivor is the Copa de Oro de Aizkolaris (Aizkolaris Gold Cup). This is a competition in which several aizkolaris (tree trunk cutters) compete to see who can cut horizontally and vertically through their assigned batch of trunks quickest. The competition is held in the plaza de la Trinidad (Trinidad Square) and is one of the events of the Semana Grande. As with other Basque sports, the public has the opportunity to place bets on the participant of their choice. The event takes place during the week in which the 15th of August falls. The event starts at 5p.

Cines Astoria

This modern cinema complex in the Amara district of San Sebastian opened in the mid-1980s, when the old Astoria cinema was converted. The leisure complex has seven screens of different kinds, with total seating capacity for 1,650. All the screens have the latest digital sound technology. There are three showings per night. Downstairs there's a hamburger joint and a cafe. On the same level as the screens there's a bar. There is an underground car park in Plaza Pio XII.

Cines Trueba

This is a modern cinema complex converted from the old Cine Trueba. It is located in San Sebastian's Gros district. This leisure complex has two small screens, of different sizes, both with digital sound, seating 500 in total. There are three showings per day. Nearby, there are a few bars and a cafe. Within the cinema complex, there is a shop selling sweets and other food. Plaza Cataluña and the Chofre underground car park are also close by.