‘All Saints’, the “Day of the Dead,” or simply November 1st, is a great time to come to Sevilla. It’s an ideal opportunity to explore the city. Enjoy its monuments, bike along the comprehensive network of bike paths, or navigate the river on a typical tourist cruise.
This time of year is perfect for a leisurely walk through Maria Luisa Park, where you can enjoy the sight of autumn leaves falling from the trees. Numerous cultural events are scheduled throughout the city, increasingly coinciding with celebrations for “Halloween Night.” Many people dress up and gather in different nightclubs or at Isla Magica, which usually organizes special themed evenings.
Cementerio de Sevilla
Reportaje en el día de los difuntos con la leyenda de Don Juan Tenorio Sevilla
Days of Don Juan Tenorio
“Don Juan Tenorio” is a play about romantic love, and it is very popular in Spain as it is only performed during November.
These days are perfect to travel the route of Don Juan Tenorio, visiting the Inn of Laurel in the district of Santa Cruz (Plaza de los Venerables). This is the tavern where Don Juan and Don Luis agreed to meet a year after their bet. Today, it has been converted into a hotel and restaurant.
Another interesting site is the Monastery of San Clemente in Santa Clara (San Lorenzo), similar to the convent on the nearby Calatrava street. The former church, Nª Srª of Bethlehem, now has no religious use. It’s in this convent that Don Juan stole the novice Doña Inés de Ulloa. She faints at the sight of Don Juan’s letter.
To visit the Convent of San Clemente, it is recommended to attend Sunday morning Mass at 10:00 a.m. or on weekdays at 8:45 a.m. Don’t miss out on some of the varied theatrical performances available—there’s something for all tastes and budgets.
Also, remember Miguel de Manara, a Seville nobleman who, according to legend, inspired the myth of Don Juan. He devoted his life to serving the poor and building the church hospital “de la Caridad,” one of the most interesting monuments in Seville. Here, you can see paintings by Murillo, Valdes Leal, and others. His Casa Palacio can be visited on Levíes street from San Bartolomé, which is now the headquarters of the Government of the Junta de Andalucía.
Visit to San Fernando Cemetery of Seville
On the second day of “difuntos,” you can visit the city cemetery, where thousands of locals come to decorate the graves of their loved ones. Admire the tombs and mausoleums of famous figures such as Joselito “el Gallo,” a work by sculptor Mariano Benlliure, representing the burial of the bullfighter.
You’ll also find the Crucified Christ of the Honeys, a sculpture by Antonio Susillo, and a modern monument to the matador Paquirri. Among others, the graves of Juanita Reina (singer), the bullfighter Juan Belmonte, Cuban singer Antonio Machín, painter José Villegas, guitarist Manuel Serrapi Niño Ricardo, singer Pastora Pavón “La niña de los Peines,” and dancer Antonio Ruiz Soler are all surrounded by gardens, dominated by cypresses. On this day, the municipal band usually performs in the cemetery.
Halloween Parties in the City
The night before All Saints, a modern party of foreign origin is celebrated. It has gained tremendous popularity among young people and generates significant economic and commercial impact. Numerous shopping centers organize such events, especially at the amusement park Isla Magica.
Activities, including tours of cemeteries and horror-themed events, take place in the streets and nightclubs.
In the province, the weekend features parades or cavalcades in Alcala de Guadaira and many festivals in San Juan de Aznalfarache, Guillena, Lora del Río, Gines, Morón, Tomares, and Espartinas, among others.
Religious Activities
These days also see the celebration of several brotherhoods of glory. Extraordinary years feature events such as:
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The Virgin of the Rosary of Santa Catalina, from San Vicente Parish in the center and from the parish of San Leandro in the Macarena area.
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The Rosary of the Aurora, with the Virgin of the Rosary of Montesión, attracts many faithful, as it processes through a nearby church.
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The procession of the Virgen de la Salud in the Plantinar neighborhood, Avda Ramon y Cajal.
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The feast of the Virgin of El Amparo, in La Magdalena Parish, and Our Lady of All Saints in the parish of the same name, street fair, and the besamanos of Our Lady of Carmen in the Holy Angel Church on Calle Rioja. Processions may vary by day. For more details, visit the Website of Sacred Art and Religious Tourism in Seville.
Excursions Outside the City During the First Days of November
The first days of November are perfect for countryside walks and staying in one of the many rural houses available in the province.
Enjoy horseback riding to immerse yourself in the typical Andalusian countryside, with towns like Sanlúcar la Mayor, Aznalcázar, Aznalcóllar, Castilblanco, Cazalla, Valencina, and Morón, among others.
Now is also the time to explore the Sierra Norte in Seville province and discover the chestnut forests and honey from the village of Constantina. It’s recommended to visit Benacazón in Aljarafe, 23 km from Seville. Here, the “Day of Tozanto” is celebrated, an age-old tradition of spending the day in the countryside and “spending the day with the saints.”
Before leaving, locals visit the cemetery to decorate the graves with flowers. You can also revive the romantic lore of the nineteenth century by touring brigand routes, heading towards the northern highlands along the N-630. Visit the Venta del Alto, linked to the capture of bandit Diego Corrientes, and nearby towns like El Garrobo at Castillo de las Guardas, where he fought against the bandits. In the village of El Ronquillo, the traditional “Fiesta de la Cachetía” takes place, similar to Halloween trick-or-treating, along with a market related to the brigands. Finally, in Estepa, the Sierra Sur reveals an interesting fair of banditry, complete with its own museum. Don’t forget to savor their Christmas treats: butter cookies, cakes, and wine donuts made during this festive period.