A city that returns home and knows how to celebrate
For many Sevillians, it is a tradition to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home with the family. It is normal for families to gather at the parental home or leave the city and return to their village of birth. It is also customary to rent a “casa rural” in the mountains to enjoy a large table with the whole family and celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Although many people leave Seville for New Year’s Eve, this does not mean that the city comes to a standstill. On the contrary, Seville is bustling on 31st December. Once dinner with the family is over, thousands of people head to the city centre to ring in the new year. The city feels like a large open-air museum, where everyone is welcome.
Twelve chimes, 12 grapes
A well-known tradition in Spain on New Year’s Eve is to eat 12 grapes just as the clock strikes midnight. On the last twelve chimes of the year, everyone eats twelve grapes, one for each month of good luck in the new year. Thousands of people gather at Plaza Nueva, the square along the shopping street where the town hall is located, from around 11 p.m. Tourists, but also locals, gather here in the square, all with 12 grapes in their hands. And with that, they are ready to welcome the new year. Although it is a bit colder at this time of year, the atmosphere is very warm. And above all, it is a big and enjoyable party.
The party begins at the table
As with almost every Andalusian celebration, food is an important detail. The New Year’s Eve dinner is extensive, chic and, above all, convivial. Typical dishes that appear on the table are:
– Mariscos
Mariscos are seafood, such as prawns and lobster. In southern Spain, they love fresh seafood. It is often served with garlic, lemon and, of course, lots of olive oil.
– Iberico ham
A feast is not complete without real jamon iberico, chorizo and other local meats. Often, a main course is also served, such as lamb chops or stuffed turkey.
– Festive tapas
Although tapas are served every day, they are made a little more festive for New Year’s Eve. Tapas such as salpicón de marisco, croquetas caseras or tortilla de camarones.
– Typical desserts
After dinner, delicacies such as turrón, polvorones and mantecados are served. These traditional Christmas sweets remain very popular between Christmas and Epiphany.
– Cava, cava and more cava
At the stroke of midnight, everyone toasts with cava. Champagne is also allowed, but cava is a true tradition and a source of Spanish pride. The rich bubbles flow freely, both at home and in Plaza Nueva.
After midnight: partying until sunrise
Once the grapes and cava have been consumed, the real party begins. Young Sevillians head to the clubs, bars and cotillones. These are special New Year’s Eve parties with music and plenty of food and drink. Sometimes there is flamenco dancing, but mostly modern music is played. They continue partying until the early hours of the morning, the streets fill with smiling people and music is everywhere. Seville celebrates life, just like every other day.
1 January: a quiet start
The first day of the year starts off a lot quieter. Many people sleep in after a long night of partying, and families get together later in the day for a quiet lunch or dinner. It is traditional to serve something simple, such as soup, fish or leftovers from the night before.
On 5 January, the city is wide awake again for the well-known holiday Cabalgata de Reyes, or what we know as Three Kings Day. On 6 January, Seville hosts the Three Kings Parade through the city. For many locals, this is the holiday they look forward to most.
What makes Seville so special during New Year’s Eve?
Seville is unique because of its combination of warmth, tradition and zest for life. In Seville, there are hardly any fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Instead, people enjoy being together, good food, traditions and a city that knows how to have fun. Whether you’re in the hustle and bustle of Plaza Nueva or sitting at the family table in a village outside the city, you can feel the warmth. In Seville, the authentic Andalusian atmosphere during New Year’s Eve is the best way to start the new year.
