A pyrotechnic competition renowned in Europe
Each summer, Saint-Sébastien becomes the scene of a singular event: an international fireworks competition that attracts the best fireworks from around the world. Organized as part of Big week 2025this pyrotechnic meeting is one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe. It has been held since 1964 in the Bay of Concha, an exceptional natural theater which magnifies the light compositions.
Eight evenings, eight nations, a competition
The evaluation criteria are rigorous:
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The technique launch (precision, regularity, rhythm)
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L’originality Combinations and colors
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The artistic consistency staging
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The security and respect for timing
From Saturday to Saturday, Every evening at 10:45 p.m.a different pyrotechnic company tries to conquer the sky and the public. The competition brings together Eight international teamscame to demonstrate their mastery of synchronizations, shooting heights and visual effects.
An official jury, made up of local experts and personalities, gives a note to each performance. The public also can vote via a dedicated application, which gives the event an interactive welcome dimension.
Fireworks program Big week 2025
Saturday August 9 – Lieto Fireworks (Italy)
10:45 pm – 11:15 p.m.: Italian company Antonio Lieto is launching the competition from the bay. His long expertise in the organization of pyrotechnic shows gives him a solid reputation.
Sunday August 10 – Pyrogenie Feuerwerk (Germany)
10:45 p.m.: Service of the German company, finalist of many European deadlines.
Monday August 11 – Pirotecnia del Mediterráneo (Valence, Spain)
10:45 p.m.: The Spaniards enter the scene with a rigorous and aesthetic implementation.
Tuesday August 12 – Unic fireworks (France)
10:45 p.m.: The French team delivers a delicate composition, combining rhythm and visual effects.
Wednesday August 13 – Pirotecnia López (La Corogne, Spain)
10:45 p.m.: Intervention of this Galician company, recognized for its balanced creations.
Best Jotho-Portrait – Luigi in Matte Fireweworks (Italy)
10:45 p.m.: Return of an Italian representative for technical and expressive performance.
Friday August 15 – Pirotecnia Valenciana (Valence, Spain)
10:45 p.m.: New Spanish participation, neat staging and sea light games.
Saturday August 16 – Pirotecnia Vulcano (Madrid, Spain)
10:45 p.m.: Closing with the Madrid company, with a spectacular and orchestrated approach.
Particularity: the fence show
August 16 is distinguished by a special closing fire, set to music, entrusted to Pyrotechnics Oleirense (Portugal).
Security and logistics
Throughout the week, the fireworks deposit area is strictly delimited. Access is prohibited for unauthorized people, guaranteeing an organization in accordance with the most demanding safety standards.
Technical summary of the 2025 program :
| Jour | Compagnie | Pays | Hourly |
| August 9 | Used by fireworks | Italy | 22h45-23H15 |
| August 10 | Pyrogeny fireworks | Germany | 22h45 |
| August 11 | Mediterranean pyrotechnics | Spain | 22h45 |
| August 12 | Unic fireworks | France | 22h45 |
| August 13 | Pyrotechnics López | Spain | 22h45 |
| August 14 | Luigi di Matteo Fireworks | Italy | 22h45 |
| August 15 | Valencian pyrotechnics | Spain | 22h45 |
| August 16 | Vulcan pyrotechnics | Spain | 22h45 |
| August 16 (fence) | Oleirense pyrotechnics | Portugal | musicized |
Each pyrotechnic session benefits from a Precise niche and a artistic common threadwhich creates an upward progression throughout the week.
A unique location for a memorable show
The Concha Bay offers natural acoustics and a harmonious urban frame that transforms each fire into immersive experience. From the seafront walk, between the Kursaal bridge and the town hall, the spectators have a panoramic point of view outstanding.
The beaches of CONCHA and ZURRIOLA, as well as the heights of Mont Urgull, also constitute privileged locations to attend the shots. The respectful silence that settles just before ignition is always striking.
An event anchored in the big week
Fireworks are not an isolated spectacle. They are part of the Big week (Main week In Basque), a dense and eclectic popular festival that lasts eight days. This week of August concentrates Concerts, street entertainment, regattas, sports and gastronomy competitions.
The pyrotechnic competition is the night at night. It is both an artistic highlight, a summer rite and a Family and tourist landmark much anticipated.
The record and international recognition
Each edition ends with a prize ceremony, where the Contest winner is crowned by the municipality. Some names regularly return to the list, proof of the level of excellence required.
Spanish, Italian, French or Japanese fireworks compete in virtuosity, sometimes with cross -border collaborations. The Saint-Sébastian competition has become a reference step in the world circuit of artistic pyrotechnics.
Practical information and access
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Dates : From August 9 to 16, 2025
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Hour : Every evening at 10:45 p.m.
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Lieu : Concha Bay, Saint-Sébastien
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Recommended access: on foot or by public transport (the city sets up specific shuttles)
For those who wish to extend the evening, the festivities continue until late at night in the places of the historic center.
A word of advice: arrive early
Attendance is dense, especially on weekends. It is recommended to come at least an hour in advance To find a good place. Some spectators settled at the end of the afternoon, equipped with covers, to enjoy the sunset while waiting for the launch.
An experience at sea to admire the lights otherwise
On the occasion of Big week From Saint-Sébastien 2025, it is possible to attend fireworks from the sea, aboard the Atalaya passenger catamaran. This boat, from the port of Hendaye, offers a Unique cruise every evening from August 9 to 16specially designed to live the pyrotechnic competition under privileged conditions.
The meeting is set at 19h45 For a smooth departure along the Basque coast. By approaching the concha bay, the crew serves a snack on boardallowing passengers to eat before the show. Then, after dark, the catamaran stops to offer a breathtaking and cleared view On the fires, without the crowd or urban constraints.
The return, planned around 1 a.m.is done in night navigation, in a rare calm, under the stars. This maritime perspective of the competition transforms visual experience into a real poetic parenthesiswhile emphasizing the beauty of the coastal site of Saint-Sébastien.
How to see the fireworks of the Semana Grande de San Sebastian from a boat?
An application to vote and learn
The competition was digital. A dedicated mobile application allows:
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To consult the program
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To know the companies in competition
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To vote for your favorite fire
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To receive weather alerts or logistics advice
This tool improves public experience, by offering a simplified performance of performance. (Our editorial staff does not yet have the link to communicate to you, we give it to you as soon as possible).
A time out of time
The fireworks of Saint-Sébastien are not just an entertainment. They are a ephemeral arta technical feat, a moment of gathering. And above all, a tribute to the night sky that Each spectator never forgets.
A 2025 visual that celebrates the sea and the light
The official visual of the 2025 edition of the Big week is signed Mikel Anteroartistic director and director from Donostia. Trained at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Leioa and specializing in VFX for cinema and television (Sintestys school), he also taught digital arts in Kunsthal, Crea Navarra, Ceinpro, Cebanc and Sinteys itself. He distinguished himself as a director of the program What a weekartistic director for the Caixa, and in the video game sector at Keplerians, as a concept artist and lead artist.
The Visual 2025 is a tribute to The sea, the bay and the lighthouse : A reminder of the maritime roots of the city. A large s in the shape of a wave (San Sebastián), in which a child rocked in his father’s arms is drawn in the hollow of a D formed by the foam (Donostia). The composition evokes both Gustav Klimt by its geometric details, and the aesthetics of Belgian comics by its graphic language.
THE blue tones dominateenriched with Organic textures evoking the twilight on the ocean. All forms a strong visual metaphor: Gathered generations, lit as the waves broke on Santa Clara, transformed into fireworks. A message of transmission, shared joy, and collective light at the heart of Aste Nagusia.