Festivals and Events
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Parade of the Three Wise Men
Seville's Epiphany parade takes place at sundown, when the Three Kings arrive in a golden carriage and make their way through the streets, throwing sweets and toys to thousands of wide-eyed children.
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Carnival
Celebrated with enthusiasm in Seville and other parts of western Andalucía.
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Semana Santa
Seville celebrates Holy Week in spectacular fashion with colourful processions.
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La Feria de Abril
The Spring fair held two weeks after Easter features parades, music and traditional dancing.
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Festival of Theatre and Dance
World-class companies perform in Teatro de la Maestranza.
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International Puppet Festival
A programme for both adults and children.
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Corpus Christi
The Seises – young boys dressed in doublet and hose – dance before the cathedral altar.
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Territorios Sevilla
This festival in June brings traditional and modern music from different parts of the world to the city's squares and plazas.
http://www.territoriossevilla.com -
Bienal de Arte Flamenco
A fabulous opportunity to see world-class Flamenco artists.
http://www.bienal-flemenco.org -
Feria de San Miguel
One of Seville's major annual events. The highlights include displays of horsemanship and bullfights.
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Sevilla en Otoño
Autumn festival with a variety of cultural events including dance, theatre and exhibitions.
Theatre, Cinema and Opera
Making a visit to the theatre in Seville and mixing with the perfectly groomed Sevillanos decked out in their finery is a true occasion. The Teatro de la Maestranza and the Teatro Lope de Vega are the leading places for a grand evening out.
Seville, the setting for Bizet’s Carmen and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, is a city of opera lovers. Most operas, including those by prestigious international companies, are performed at the Teatro de la Maestranza. Classical music is also performed at the Teatro Lope de Vega, the Conservatorio Superior de Musica Manual Castillo and at the cathedral.
Seville has plenty of cinemas. Most sessions cost 4 or 5 Euros, although it’s usually cheaper before evening. All cinemas have a día del espectador, usually Wednesday, when admission is 3 Euros. Always be prepared for a long ticket queue at popular times, like Sunday evenings.
Flamenco embraces a broad spectrum and in Seville it can be found in all its expressions. The tablaos (flamenco bars) in the Barrio de Santa Cruz are aimed at tourists, but still provide high quality performances. Soul-stirring outbursts of song known as cante jondo are sung in the gypsy bars of Triana, while in Calle Salado there are bars where the public can dance sevillanas, upbeat folk dances popular with, and danced by, virtually everyone in Andalucía.
Museums and Galleries
Seville has several excellent museums representing a wide range of subjects, historical period and style. Bullfighting fans will enjoy the small museum at the bullring, while the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares is devoted to a more general tradition of arts and culture. The archaeological museum covers a period dating back to Palaeolithic times, while the Casa de Pilatos and Ayuntamiento are examples of fine stately homes. Palaces, such as the Alcázar and the Palacio San Telmo, are magnificent in their opulence while the fascinating tobacco factory which inspired the famous Carmen gypsy heroine is, today, part of the city's bustling university campus. The Neo-Baroque theatre of Teatro Lope de Vega dates back to the mid sixteenth century and its faded opulence creates the perfect setting for live performances.
For Children
Apart from its rich beauty and historical interest, Seville provides a wide range of family attractions. Within the city lies the Isla Mágica (Magic Island), a theme park set in 16th Century Seville. It offers a large number of rides and attractions, including The Jaguar, a roller coaster with 360-degree turns and breathtaking drops. When the temperature starts to rise, you might feel like taking the children for a swim. The Parque Acuático Acropolis Sevilla is a large water park with all kinds of water slides and a fresh water beach. There are various other children’s parks in the city. Other recommended activities for children include a walk up to the top of the Giralda bell tower, paddle boats on the river, bikes in Parque Maria Luis and horse-and-buggy rides around the city.
