In Seville they take place big parties, much felt by the inhabitants of Andalusia and which attract many tourists every year. Among these the most important are certainly the Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril, but also the other festivals, especially the religious ones, are very lively and passionate and their origins are very ancient.
For the occasion it is absolutely normal to see men, women and young people dressing up with traditional Sevillian clothes, follow the processions or while they dance and have fun.
The Semana Santa in Seville
Discover the most important religious festival in Seville: the historic Holy Week.
The April Fair
La April Fair takes place in El Real de la Feria, southwest of the city, in the second half of April, but its date depends on that of Semana Santa.
La Feria, which was originally a cattle fair, is today the largest popular festival and the most characteristic of the whole Region: usually the Feria starts on Monday at midnight and ends on Sunday late at night. For a week the sevillanos devote themselves exclusively to celebrations in the casetas, local dances and songs, especially flamenco and sevillana, they eat, drink and have fun until dawn. Traditional carriage parades take place during the day, with typical Andalusian costumes.
In addition, at the fair, there is also a large funfair for the entertainment of the little ones and, during the period of the Feria, the most important bullfights of the season are held in Seville.
The El Rocío pilgrimage
Il Pilgrimage of the Rocío it is a religious festival that takes place in the small village of Rocío, near Huelva de Almonte, but the nearby city of Seville and its inhabitants participate with devotion in the pilgrimage.
The brotherhoods of the districts of Triana, El Salvador, La Macarena and El Cerro del Aguila leave a week before the festival for the village of Rocío, where pilgrims from all over the region converge.
The origin of the festival dates back to an ancient apparition of the Vergine del Rocío in an oak trunk and the construction of a hermitage in the area called the Roina de Las Marismas. The pilgrimage is celebrated at the end of the week of Pentecost Sunday, fifty days after Easter.
Corpus Christi
In June the Corpus Christi procession takes place, thousands of faithful and devotees parade through the streets of Seville and come to the Cathedral to receive the Eucharist. The festival also continues during the next eight days, when the children of Seville, in traditional clothing, celebrate the Body of Christ with songs and dances dating back to the XNUMXth century.
The “Velá” of Santiago and Santa Ana
The “Velá” of Santiago and Santa Ana is the historic festival of the Barrio de Triana district of Seville and takes place at the end of July. Not only the inhabitants of the neighborhood, but also the other fellow citizens and tourists, meet at the Altozano and have fun until dawn.
The Virgin of the Kings
Seville celebrates August 15th with the procession of the Virgin of the Kings, the patroness of the city. Thousands of citizens and faithful, from all over Andalusia, participate in the religious procession and gather at the Cathedral. A party not to be missed.
The Bullfights of Seville and the Season of the Bulls
Seville is the city of bullfights, thousands of people follow their favorites throughout the Season of the Bulls.
Flamenco Biennial
Since 1980 the most important Flamenco competition in the world has been held in Seville in even years. The most famous artists in the world perform during the month of September in magnificent shows in the Auditorium de la Cartuja in front of a technical jury, made up of the most prestigious flamenco authorities.
Seville European Film Festival
The Festival del Cine Europeo de Sevilla was born in 2001 but has already enjoyed considerable international success both in terms of the public and the participation of films and directors, thanks also to the collateral cultural activities of the festival itself, such as meetings with important personalities of the European film world, seminars and concerts.
Book Festival
The Feria del Libro di SIviglia takes place in spring and is one of the most important cultural events in the city and for readers it is an opportunity to meet their favorite writers.
Other parties in Seville
- Day of Andalusia: February 28th
- Day of the patron saint of Seville, San Fernando: May 30th
- Day of the Pilar: 12 October
- Day of the Spanish Constitution: 6 December
