FESTIVALS & CULTURE

Día de San Fernando
Seville's Patron Saint of the City is Saint Ferdinand, and the locals hold a celebration with various acts in the cathedral in honor of this saint every May 30th.  Ferdinand was a crucial figure who contributed to the re-conquest of Seville from the Muslim and reincorporated it into the realm of the Christian monarchs in the 13th century.

Día de la Inmaculada
Parents dress their children up in the 16th century costumes and take them to church to sing and dance before the main altar in celebration of the day of the Immaculate Conception every December 8th.  There are other activities in and around the cathedral as well such as the floral offering before the monument of the Virgin Mary in Triunfo Plaza and religious acts in the Arco del Postigo before the chapel of the Pure and unsoiled Conception.  

Procesión de la Virgen de los Reyes
The procession in honor of the Virgin takes place near the cathedral every August 15.  Seville's Patron Saint has a history that dates back to the 13th century when king Ferdinand kept the wood-sculpted statue with hair made of golden silk thread in his personal altar until his death in 1252.  The statue now stands guard before the tombs of certain historical figures such as kings and queens in the past including king Ferdinand who has become the city's Patron Saint as well. 

Semana Santa
Semana Santa is a special time of the year throughout Spain, and no less in Seville as the whole city comes alive with celebration.  Around fifty-two brotherhoods in Seville reenact scenes from Christ's Passion by carrying platforms on their shoulders and proceed through the downtown streets.  In addition to such an animated procession, there are also live bands performing pure forms of Flamenco whose lyrics echo Christ's Passion and the suffering of the Virgin Mary.

Velada de Santa Ana
Takes place on Calle Betis in the Triana neighborhood alongside the Guadalquivir River, this festival celebrates the saint's days of Santiago and Santa Ana.  There are plenty of food stalls where visitors can grab a bite to eat while watching canoeing competitions as well as many other water games.

Feria de Abril
Feria de Abril is an opportunity for visitors to experience Seville's largest festival the traditional way as the Los Remedios neighborhood hosts several canvas shacks where people can come eat, drink and dance to the beat of the local dance sevillanas.  There are exciting bullfights held at the Maestranza bullring and all-day long parties.

Exhibición de Enganches
This event comes as equestrians' delight as Andalucía-bred horses are put on the Concurso de Enganches show every April inside Seville's bullring where coachmen donned in traditional attire and carriages constitute splendid and exotic sights.  The competition has also come to represent one of the most typical Sevillian traditions.  

Feria de San Miguel (St.Michael's Festival)
Saint Michael's Festival is the nationally renowned bullfighting event held in September where several famous matadors give impressive solo performances.  It is definitely a great opportunity to observe one of Spain's most emblematic event.

Homenaje a Daoiz
Luis Daoiz was the city's son who during the War of Independence in the early 19th century sacrificed his life in Madrid against Napoleon's army.  His statue was erected in Plaza de la Gavidia right in the heart of the city and at mid-morning of every May 2, people come pay respect with flowers and there are performances provided by the Artillery troops and a musical band. 

Día del Orgullo Gay
Every June 28th the Lesbian-Gay Platform of Seville organizes conferences and parade on this Gay Pride Day along with numerous cities in the world.  In addition to the march-demonstration by lesbian and gay residents to claim their rights and respect, there are also interesting cultural visits, films and some festivals as well.

Tapas Fair
As the region that contributed to the birth of tapas, this special event is in particular interesting as well as mouth-watering.  The Tapas Fair is a four-day event where almost 50 restaurants and bars whip up their creative designs of delicious tapas and invite guests to sample them with the accompaniment of beer, sherry or wine.  The event is not totally free for the tasting and drinking, but there are special deals and it's a fantastic opportunity to try out the various flavors of Seville.