Sevilla is a city with deep roots and a long history of Christmas traditions that has learned to adapt itself to modern times in order to offer its people and visitors a bunch of activities, competitions and entertainment that mixes tradition with modern times and, without a doubt, provide an unforgettable experience.
The city likes to ´show off´ during Christmas Holidays, lighting up the streets, plazas and neighborhoods with Christmas lights and decorations… while chorus of bell ringers sing Christmas Carols for the tourists and people passing by while the theaters get jam-packed with concerts.
During Christmas Holidays you can appreciate all the little Christmas markets set up outside where you can buy unique pieces of art, handcrafted items, fashion items… Numerous kiosks are mounted on the streets where you can eat traditional and exquisite candy: shortbread sweets, sweetened yolk, patties, fried donuts, ice cream, carmelitas, bocaditos árabes, pestiños, sevillanos, cordiales, almendrados, perrunillas, dátiles rellenos de mazapán, tortas, amarguillos, turrones… a delicious variety of baked goods, a very typical characteristic of our gastronomy.
Take note of the following handpicked selection of activities that you can do or enjoy during this Christmas in Sevilla:
First off, we recommend you to go on a stroll around the old part of town and the Triana Neighborhood, and discover the special Christmas lighting decorations that fill up the streets and plazas, and where the stand out attractions are the luminous and creative stars, 3D spheres, Trinian lamps, Easter flowers…
You can’t also miss out on the Nativity scene Fair, the most important showing of Nativity scenes in Spain, where you can admire and acquire authentic works of arts of this peculiar Spanish craftsmanship… And, just to name one, with all certainty you will be impressed by the huge Napolitano style Nativity scene from the Cajasol Foundation in San Francisco Plaza, which is made up of 150 pieces and 40 cm tall figures.
In case you have musical preferences, the Chorus and Belll Ringers Contest Gala might capture your attention and it takes place in the Triana Market on December 30th, or the New Year’s Concert, which is held in La Maestranza on January 3rd.
If you travel with kids you can ‘skip’ the romantic touristic route and take them to enjoy the Ice Rink, visit the dinosaur exhibition at the Navegation Pavilion in the Island of Cartaja or, just simply go to the Puerta de Jerez so you can see in the middle of the street at plain sight the interpretation of Charles Dickens´ famous play ´A Christmas Carol´.
Finally, if by January 5th you are still in Sevilla you can enjoy the majestic Three Kings horseback ride, a unique parade in the world, where you will discover the essence of the Spanish Christmas tradition and you´ll be enchanted by the joy and naivety of the children. A magical ritual that year after year is capable of transforming children´s wishes and illusions into real life.
All the staff from the Villapanés Palace Hotel wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you want to see the official calendar 2015 of activities and look up dates, schedules and addresses, click here.