🎄 Christmas in Seville 2023 promises to be a historic edition that will consolidate the city as a global reference for tradition, excitement and Christmas magic.
📅When does Christmas in Seville 2023 begin and how long does it last?
Christmas in Seville 2023 will kick off officially on Saturday 2 December 2023 at 7:00 p.m. with the traditional Switching on of the Christmas Lights.
The event will take place next to the archway of the Town Hall and San Francisco Square, with entertainment throughout the afternoon and performances by the Municipal Symphony Band of Seville, DJ El Pulpo, Robin Torres (a tribute to Mecano) and the group Los Gitanos. The lights will remain on until 6 January 2024, offering a total of 36 days of uninterrupted magic.
🏛️Who organises and sponsors Christmas in Seville?
The Christmas programme in Seville is made possible by the institutional collaboration between Seville City Council, through its Department of Major Festivals, and the Cajasol Foundation, which deploys its flagship programme "Gozos de Diciembre" with more than 150 activities in Seville, Huelva, Córdoba, Cádiz and Jerez.
As Antonio Pulido, president of the Cajasol Foundation, stated: "Gozos de Diciembre has become an unmissable event every Christmas. Our goal is to try to make life a little happier for those who participate in these activities".
📜 A brief history of Christmas in Seville
the origin of Christmas in Seville
Christmas in Seville hides traditions with centuries of history that date back long before any festive lights existed.
- The sound of the Giralda's bells: For centuries, the bells of the Giralda have marked the rhythm of the city, announcing celebrations, winter dawns and the arrival of Christmas.
- The nativity scene tradition: It came to Seville through the Franciscans, who spread this custom from the Middle Ages. The first documented nativity scenes in the city appeared in Franciscan convents, where the birth of Jesus was represented as an essential part of religious life.
- Christmas and trade with America: The Archivo de Indias holds documents that portray how Christmas was lived in the times of trade with America. Accounts of travellers, sailors and merchants reflect how they celebrated the holidays before setting sail for the New World, providing evidence of a Seville that lived Christmas looking out to the Atlantic and connected with distant cultures.
🗺️What is the route of the lights and activities of Christmas in Seville?
The Christmas lights will be spread over a total of 287 streets, reaching all districts of the city. The most spectacular areas will be:
- Streets with special design: Avenida de la Constitución, Sierpes (which since the 19th century was one of the first spaces where decorative lighting began to be associated with Christmas), Tetuán, Imagen, Campana, Laraña, Alfonso XII, El Salvador and Asunción.
- Iconic bridges lit for the first time: The Triana, San Telmo and Los Remedios bridges will display Christmas decorations for the first time in history.
- Christmas trees: Seven enormous trees will be installed at Puerta Jerez, Plaza de Cuba, Santa Justa station, Avenida Emilio Lemos, Torreblanca, Parqueflores (Norte district) and Polígono Sur.
- "Navigalia" show: From 20 December to 4 January, Seville brings back the Christmas mapping on the Guadalquivir River. A 12-minute audiovisual show projected onto water screens from the lower part of Calle Betis (Triana) to the Muelle de la Sal.
🌟What does Christmas in Seville represent for the city and the children of Seville?
For Seville, Christmas is much more than just a holiday season. It represents:
- A showcase of tradition: The city becomes a first-class cultural and tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors who come to enjoy its unique atmosphere.
- A legacy for children: The little ones are the main protagonists. The programme includes the winter theme park "Sevilla On Ice" at Muelle de las Delicias, with more than 25 children's attractions, the highest Ferris wheel in Andalusia (50 metres) and two ice rinks, including the largest ice rink in the city.
- A guaranteed success: As Seville City Council declared, "the city will once again throw itself into the excitement and will demonstrate that Seville is the cradle of tradition and magic".
- A month to enjoy with family: Monumental nativity scenes (the Mudéjar Nativity Scene at the Palacio de los Marqueses de la Algaba, the life-size Nativity Scene of the Cajasol Foundation covering more than 500 square metres and 70 figures), Christmas markets (the 29th edition of the Nativity Scene Fair between the Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias, and the 23rd Creative Crafts Fair in Plaza Nueva), and activities for all ages.
🏡Where to stay to experience Christmas in Seville 2023?
THE SUN PLACES: Your Luxury Refuge in the Heart of the City
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that Christmas in Seville is a unique experience that deserves accommodation to match. That is why we offer you our Luxury Apartments in Seville, the perfect refuge to enjoy the most magical holidays of the year with maximum comfort, elegance and, above all, to celebrate the excitement with family as it deserves.
🌟Why stay with THE SUN PLACES during Christmas in Seville 2023?
- Strategic Location: Our apartments are located in the historic centre of Seville, in emblematic neighbourhoods such as Santa Cruz, El Arenal or Triana, just a few minutes from the key points of the Christmas lights: Avenida de la Constitución, Sierpes Street, Plaza Nueva and Muelle de las Delicias. Imagine seeing the lights from a privileged balcony or walking from your accommodation in just a few minutes.
- True Rest for the Family: Christmas is an intense and exciting month for both adults and children. Our apartments offer you spacious areas, equipped kitchens to prepare hot chocolate and Christmas sweets, and high-quality beds so that the whole family can rest and recharge after the magical afternoon.
- Your Competitive Advantage: We will not just be your accommodation; we will be your base of operations. Because Christmas is prepared and enjoyed with the head, but lived with maximum comfort. We offer you a peaceful and elegant environment to retire to after the excitement of the street.
- Proximity to Events: Forget long journeys with young children. From our apartments you can easily access all the lighting points, the monumental nativity scenes, the Christmas markets, the "Sevilla On Ice" park and the activity areas organised during the holidays.
- The Perfect Refuge: Christmas in Seville will be a month full of excitement and bustle. You need a quiet place to relax before and after each festive day. We offer it to you.
- Personalised Attention: We want your experience to be unforgettable. That is why we help you with recommendations on the best places to see the lights, the opening times of the most impressive nativity scenes and everything you need so you don't miss any detail of the most magical time of the year.
"Christmas in Seville is the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in magic and tradition. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors of our city for you to experience these unique holidays with the luxury and comfort you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES
Book your luxury apartment in Seville now to experience Christmas in Seville like never before. We also have luxury accommodation in Cádiz and Sanlúcar de Barrameda if you want to extend your Christmas experience throughout Andalusia.
The magic, the excitement and the city await you. We look forward to seeing you at THE SUN PLACES!