July in San Sebastian is more than sun and sea. Whether you’re a culture-seeker, a family traveler, or simply someone who loves to wander, here are some of this month’s most magical experiences in the city.
1. See the Cathedral Like Never Before
Luminiscence – A Light & Sound Experience
📍Catedral del Buen Pastor
🗓 Wednesdays (digital version) & Thurs–Sat (live choir version)
🕤 21:50 & 22:50
💶 From €15 (digital), from €23 (live choir)
Step inside San Sebastián’s iconic Cathedral for an immersive music and light show that brings new life to its gothic stone. Choose the live choir version (Thursday to Saturday) and feel the Cathedral coming alive!
📍Plaza Gipuzkoa & Central Library
🗓 July 4–13
🕐 11:00–14:00 / 17:00–21:00
💶 Free entrance
Wander through rows of book stalls from local publishers and bookstores, meet authors, and attend bilingual literary talks. Great for curious minds and culture lovers — and a perfect shaded break during a summer stroll through the city center.
3. Jazzaldia – 60th San Sebastián Jazz Festival
🗓 July 19–27
📍Across 12 venues (Kursaal terraces, beach stage, Chillida Leku…)
💶 Many free concerts, others you need tickets to
One of Europe’s most iconic jazz festivals returns with 88 concerts, including performances by Jamie Cullum, Brad Mehldau, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Catch a beachside show at sunset, or hear rising stars at Kursaal’s terraces with a cocktail in hand.
🎶 Tip: Don’t miss Txikijazz if you’re visiting with kids — it’s a family-friendly version of the festival!
4. Outdoor Environmental Film Series
📍Egia, Amara, Altza, Bidebieta
🗓 Every Friday in July
🕤 22:30
💶 Free admission
Films under the stars, in four different neighborhoods, each themed around an element of nature. Think La Vida de Pi, Akira, or Nomads of the Wind. It’s a simple joy: bring a blanket, lie on the grass, and let the movie unfold with the night air.
5. San Telmo Gaua – Art & Music After Hours
📍San Telmo Museoa
🗓 Saturday, July 19
🕗 20:30–00:00
💶 Free entry (until full)
Explore one of the city’s most beloved museums at night. Special installations, live DJ sets, and open access to temporary exhibitions — including Jaime de los Ríos’ new digital artwork — all in the moody magic of the cloisters.
6. Storytelling at Monte Urgull
📍Library at Monte Urgull
🗓 July 14, 21 and 28
🕕 18:00
💶Free (in Basque, suitable for kids)
Looking for a local experience with your little ones? Join this storytelling session at the top of Monte Urgull for Basque-language tales, jokes, and riddles led by Lur Korta and her team. Bonus: the views from the top are unbeatable.
Final Tips for July Travelers:
- Book ahead for any paid events — summer demand is high.
- Bring layers — even warm days can cool down fast near the sea.
- Take your time — soak the summer.
Want to get to know the city through its food? Join one of our Eat One Feed One tours — curated food experiences that connect you with the city’s culture, one bite at a time.
