A week late, but here I am with a few recommendations for how to spend your August 2019 if you are lucky enough to spend some of it in San Sebastián. I have to warn you, though…do NOT try to drive your car around…this city is more packed than EVER.

• august 1-31::: QUINCENA MUSICAL ::: The “Musical Fortnight” has extended to the entire month of August, and it features opera, ballet, classical music and more across several venues in the city. (Kursaal et al)

• august 10-17 ::: ASTE NAGUSIA ::: You either love it or you hate it, but there’s no denying Semana Grande is, indeed, a big deal. Catch fireworks every night at 11pm followed by concerts in Sagües. (Various, FREE)

• august 15 ::: MERCADABADILLO ::: Like every month, Dabadaba puts a hold on their too-cool-for-escuela concert schedule and hosts a little market in a nice ambience. This one is around the Kursaal in honor of Semana Grande. (Kursaal, 11:00-2:00, FREE)

• august 17 + 24 + 31 ::: YOGA ENTRE ESCULTURAS ::: Yoga and brunch. Sounds good already, but if you needed convincing, it all happens among the sculptures of Eduardo Chillida on the grounds of his museum in Hernani. (Chillida Leku, 9am, €27)

• august 18 ::: SURF DE NUIT ::: A surf event in Anglet that culminates in an evening surfing session with LED-lit boards (Anglet, 2pm-midnight, FREE)

• august 22 + 29 ::: CHILLIDA LEKU VISITA NOCTURNA::: An incredible, unforgettable visit to one of San Sebastián’s artistic treasures, Chillida Leku. The guided visit (if you’re lucky, made by one of his children), is followed by al fresco dinner in Lurra Café. (8pm, €80)

• august 24 ::: SAN TELMO GAUA ::: The opening night for the exhibition “San Sebastian Suena”, in the clauster and church of the San Telmo museum, featuring music and a bar. (Museo San Telmo, 8:30pm, FREE)

• august 24-25 ::: LE PIANO DU LAC ::: Another one worth traveling for: these floating concerts are making their way across Spain and France, and this one stops in Araba. (Parque Provincial de Landa, 8pm, suggested 10€)

• august 25 ::: LANTEGI ::: The last day to see the ongoing exhibit of the artist José Ramón Anda, in one of the city’s best exhibition spaces. The Navarran artist is a sculptor with an affinity for geometry and works made for public spaces. (Kursaal Kubo Kutxa, 11:30am-9pm, FREE)

• all august ::: FRANCIS PANIEGO POP-UP ::: The Riojan chef returns to the Hotel Maria Cristina for his pop-up restaurant Ezcaray, your chance to experience an extra few Michelin stars in the city's constellation (Hotel Maria Cristina, July-October, starting at 100€)

If there's something I missed, or if you go to one of the events and particularly enjoyed it or have a funny story to tell, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.