Top 10 Annual Events in Seville

more than a year ago

Whether its a party, celebration, festival or fiesta, Seville knows how to mark important dates with vim and vigour. The Andalusian capital has a calendar full of exciting events that will engage even the most cynical of visitor, covering religion, art, sports and whatever heading bullfighting falls under these days. In no particular order, your top annual events in Seville.

APRIL FAIR

We say ‘no particular order’, but where else to begin? Seville’s April Fair is the stuff of legends, a party and a half that starts just a couple of weeks after Semanta Santa and takes over the weekend in a flurry of excitement, colour and energy. The festival has come a long way from its beginnings as a simple livestock fair back in 1846.

SEMANTA SANTA

Two weeks before the April Fair, Spain is gripped in Holy Week fever. Nowhere is this fever more intense than Seville, The famous Hermandades (Brotherhoods) will be out in force this week, but don’t worry ― they have been wearing such outfits far longer than the questionable American racists they resemble. That is a sentence we never expected to type.

COLUMBUS DAY

October 12 is Christopher Columbus Day, when the exploits (in more ways than one) of the Italian explorer are celebrated (mostly) all around the world. Columbus is buried in Seville, so needless to say the city gets plenty of excitement crammed into his day. Expect mega queues at the tomb in the cathedral.

LA BIENAL DE FLAMENCO

Flamenco is more than an art form in this part of the world; it is a way of life. Celebrate flamenco in its most vivacious form at the Bienal de Flamenco, which usually takes place in the autumn on even-numbered years.

DIA DE LA ANDALUCIA

All things Andalusia are celebrated at this carnival-esque festival held annually at the end of February.

SEVILLE EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL

Any city worth its salt has a decent film festival these days, and Seville is no different. The cinematic extravaganza takes place every November throughout the city.

NIGHTS IN THE GARDEN OF REAL ALCAZAR

Seville’s Real Alcazar is a stunning spot for some tremendous art, so we’re more than happy to see such things taking place in the central spot throughout the summer. Classical music concerts are the main method of music, from June to September.

21 GRADOS

A true student cultural extravaganza, the 21 Grados (21 Degrees) festival is organised by the university’s CICUS and contains poetry, flamenco, music and the rest. It usually takes place in August, and check out the CICUS website for the full schedule.

VELÁ DE SANTA ANA

Triana is party central 365 days a year, but the heat gets ramped up during the neighbourhood’s annual fair. This June festival dates back to the 13th century, so you can bet your bottom dollar that they know what they are doing at this point.

CHRISTMAS

Seville takes its Catholicism seriously, and this is best displayed during the colourful free-for-all that is the anniversary of JC’s birth. Christmas in Seville is a real eruption of colour and love, a yuletide unlike anywhere else on the planet.

Seville