Local Festivities and Some Alternatives in Seville

It could be said that in Seville there's something for everybody, you don't have to stick to the "typical Andalusian activities" since there are plenty of alternatives to choose among. But of course you can also enjoy our most inner culture if you want to.

Let me start by telling you some of the most well-known activities and festivities:

• Semana Santa: Holy Week, Easter or however you want to call it, this is a BIG thing in Seville. Some think it has something to do with the Ku Klux Klan because we use the same "hats" but keep calm, this is not related to the hideous organisation, it is merely a Sevillian tradition (it actually happens in other places in Spain and Italy for example but let's stick to Seville for now) that takes place normally in March or April and involves thousands of people. Something similar to parades with sculptures of characters from the Bible are displayed around multiple spots of the city (specially the town centre,) there are big crowds in every street and we even have some typical dishes to eat during this season - Torrijas is my favourite one by far. The night between Thursday and Friday is the most famous part of this week, for further information about it google "La Madrugá de Sevilla."

http://www.sevillacitycentre.com/momentos-magicos-de-la-semana-santa-en-sevilla/

• La Feria de Abril: I'm not a big fan of it but let's just assume that I'm a boring bird because everybody loves the Feria. Even though its very name says it should be held in April, maaaany many times it has been delayed to May - without going any further this very year (2017.) So the thing is people gather in an enclosure - which is built every year just right behind my house - in "little houses" made of colourful striped fabric called "casetas" to drink (Rebujito is the most characteristic drink of this festivity,) eat (did somebody say Jamón Serrano?,) dance (mostly flamenco and rumba,) talk and basically have fun. A theme park right next to this enclosure is also built every year. In general, I consider the Feria to be a bit expensive but as my friends say "This only happens once a year!" so let's enjoy it. Oh, and, although it's not mandatory, lots of people wear the typical costumes you all have probably seen:

http://espanafascinante.com/wp-content/uploads/panoramica_fiestas_sevilla_feria-de-abril_BI.jpg

• La Feria de las Naciones: We are getting into my thing, fellas. This fair takes place every year for around a month and a half more or less from September to November in El Prado de San Sebastián. There are stands representing plenty of foreign countriesand Spanish regions: Some sell food, others T-shirts, useless stuff, some to get tattoos and braids done, restaurants and there's even a stage where several performances are held. There are special days in which different activities from foreign countries are held (Sweden's Day, Japan's Day, etc.) I personally enjoy this very much, I go every year and always attempt to try new dishes (last year I tried some Peruvian dishes which were deeeelicious.)

http://periodicodigital.eusa.es/el-prado-acoge-el-festival-de-las-naciones-hasta-el-2-de-noviembre

• Mr. Saturday: Something I discovered not long ago, this is basically a day-party, like an outdoors club, which is held in the old Monastery of La Cartuja, now restructured into the Andalusian Centre of Contemporary Arts (CAAC.) I have visited this centre loads of times to see the exhibitions (which I also highly recommend if you are into art) but I had never heard of this mini-festival until a couple of months ago. People gather to drink, eat and most importantly dance. A couple of DJ's come and play generally pop music like Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé (YAS!), etc. As you might have guessed it takes place on Saturday afternoons - not every Saturday unfortunately but they announce the dates on their social media (I usually check their Facebook and Instagram pages) where they also post pics of the parties taken by a professional photographer who will always try to catch you by surprise.

https://www.facebook.com/MisterSaturdaySpain/

Each and every one of these activities is free but keep in mind that you might be charged for some of the services.

I do not own the copyright to any of the pictures posted above.

Photo gallery