Christmas by the Sea: The Magic of San Sebastián from the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra

There is a fleeting, invisible moment when the air shifts, the lights come on, and the world seems to pause for just an instant. That’s when the magic returns.

Allow me to introduce myself: I am the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, always facing the sea, basking in the winter glow that illuminates the city. From my balconies, I have witnessed countless sunrises, carols, and embraces that have filled my halls with life.

Outside, the city prepares. On November 28, San Sebastián welcomed winter with sparkles, music, and excitement. Five hundred drones soared above the bay, painting impossible shapes over the sea. The spectacle unfolded before my rooms, where the city meets the horizon. Trees, illuminated arches, and building façades lit up as if one single heart were beating. The Alderdi Eder Ferris wheel began its slow rotation, and those who dared to climb saw the city as I see it: dressed for celebration, reflected in the water. And so began the countdown to weeks filled with excitement, music, and traditions that only this city knows how to celebrate.

As December advances, the air fills with the scent of cider and embers. I hear the melodies of trikitixas; on the 21st, San Sebastián celebrates the Feria de Santo Tomás, and the aroma of freshly grilled txistorra fills the streets with flavor and tradition. The Plaza de la Constitución transforms into a rural fair: local farm products, music resonating through the streets, animals, and laughter creating a festive atmosphere. Even in the hotel’s Lounge Bar, we pay homage to this tradition, with the txistorra pintxo taking center stage and an ambiance that blends authenticity with the everyday rhythm of the city.

A few days later, on December 24, the voices of the A Tempo Choir will fill my spaces with joy and tenderness, heralding the magic of the days to come. When night falls, my halls transform to welcome Christmas Eve Dinner, an enchanting gathering where gastronomy and warmth come together to celebrate the year’s most cherished tradition.

The celebration continues the next day with Christmas Lunch, a family-focused event where festive flavors and the cozy setting extend the magic of December 25. To enjoy this experience at a leisurely pace, our Christmas packages are ideal, combining accommodation with Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve dinners, designed so guests can immerse themselves in the season without worrying about a thing.

December 31 arrives with the festive energy that fills every corner. In the morning, the A Tempo Choir will once again wander through my spaces and the walkway connecting me to Villa Favorita, my beloved sister hotel. As night falls over the bay, music accompanies the toasts, and the atmosphere brims with joy, light, and promises for the new year. This year, we revive one of our most cherished traditions: the New Year’s Eve Cotillion, complete with an open bar, dancing, and the unmistakable charm of celebrating by the sea. Every toast celebrates the moment, every smile anticipates what is to come.

On January 1, the city awakens in calm. The aroma of coffee and toast mingles with the salt carried from La Concha. I offer a special New Year’s menu, inviting guests to savor each bite slowly and enjoy a truly unique experience.

When January 5 arrives, the eve of Epiphany, the streets brim with anticipation. The Three Kings arrive in San Sebastián with their robes and gifts, bringing whispers of childhood that never fully leave us. In the city’s bustling markets, one can find that missing gift: a candle, an ornament, a handcrafted treasure from Donostia. Or perhaps the perfect gift: a  gift voucher to return to this place where the Christmas spirit is lived by the sea, amid the lights that illuminate the bay and the sound of the waves in the background.

After so many winters and so many stories shared, I still feel the excitement of Christmas as if it were the first time. I await you here, by the sea, with open doors and the hope of creating new moments together.