San Sebastián Christmas Market 2026: Dates and Opening Hours
The San Sebastián Christmas market runs from 4 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, with a morning and an afternoon session. Here are the published hours, the differences between sources and the special dates.
The San Sebastián Christmas market runs from Friday 4 December 2026 to Wednesday 6 January 2027, according to the organiser. Stalls trade in two sessions with a break at lunchtime, roughly 11:30-14:00 and from 16:30 into the evening. The exact hours differ slightly between the published sources, so plan around a safe window and check the organiser's website before you go. For the full season calendar and six routes, see our San Sebastián Christmas markets guide.
When does the San Sebastián Christmas market open in 2026?
Both the market conditions and the allocation decision give 4 December 2026 as the opening day. The tourism events calendar lists 1 December instead. Our guide follows the organiser's specific documents and flags the difference, so treat 4 December as the planning date and look again a few days before travelling.
The season ends on 6 January 2027, the day of the Epiphany holiday. That gives you just over a month, including the later Advent weekends, Christmas and New Year. The market takes place in two areas of the same event: on Paseo del Urumea between the Santa Catalina and María Cristina bridges, and on Plaza Ramón Labayen with Calle Andía and its surroundings.
What are the opening hours?
The published information does not yet fully agree. Our guide compares four sources in a table:
Organiser website: 11:00-14:00 and 16:30-20:00.
Market conditions, Monday to Thursday: 11:30-14:00 and 16:30-20:00.
Market conditions, Friday, weekends and holidays: 11:30-14:00 and 16:30-20:30.
Tourism calendar: 10:30-14:00 and 16:30-20:30.
All of them share a lunchtime break between 14:00 and 16:30. For an ordinary visit, we suggest two windows that fall within every regular set of core hours: 11:30-14:00 or 16:30-19:00. These are planning suggestions, not an additional official rule. They do not guarantee trading on a holiday when stalls are allowed to close.
Which dates have special hours?
24 and 31 December: the organiser's website gives 19:00 as the earlier closing time. Do not plan these as long market evenings.
25 December and 1 January: individual market businesses may stay closed after obtaining permission. San Telmo museum and Tabakalera are closed on both days.
5 January: closing time 19:00, according to the website.
6 January: the last day of the season. Individual exhibitors may stay closed, so do not count on every stall trading.
The market layout is not final in October. According to the conditions, the hut layout is fixed at least five days before opening, and the named areas may still be adjusted. Use the organiser's current map once it appears.
How does Santo Tomás fit in?
The Feria de Santo Tomás is a separate one-day fair on Monday 21 December 2026, confirmed by Donostia Kultura. It brings farm produce, competitions and txistorra into the city, with the farm produce exhibition announced from 09:00 on Plaza de la Constitución. If you want both, plan your trip around that Monday and add a Christmas market visit in the afternoon or on another day. Our page on San Sebastián Christmas market 2026 dates and places lists all key dates at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the San Sebastián Christmas market open on Mondays?
Yes. The market conditions list hours for Monday to Thursday as well as for Fridays and weekends. Note that San Telmo and Tabakalera normally close on Mondays, so a museum visit is better planned for another day.
Is it open at lunchtime?
No. All sources show a break between 14:00 and 16:30. Use this time for a meal in a restaurant or a visit to San Martín food market at Calle Urbieta 9.
What is the best day to visit?
Any ordinary weekday in the season works. A Tuesday has the advantage of free admission to San Telmo, so you can combine a museum morning with the market from 16:30.
