Festival de las Naciones
Location: Prado de San Sebastian
Dates: 16 Sep - 1 Nov
This time around the Festival de las Naciones in Sevilla will be in it's 16th year? I've lost track. The Festival runs for about a month and a half, from the mid-September to early November. You can sample different foods at the various stands. Almost all include seating and table service, if you can get a table. Also part of the Festival are musical and dance performances as well as plenty of small shops where you can "shop by country". Smartly, they've eliminated the entrance fee. More information on my page dedicated to the festival.

Festival de Cine / Seville Film Festival
Location: Casino de la Exposicion, Teatro Lope de Vega and Cines Nervión Plaza, University of Seville.
Dates: 4 - 11 November
Web: festivaldesevilla.com
This year's Seville European Film Festival has a focus on Russian cinema. The festival otherwise features European cinema, with screenings of movies from France, Spain, Germany, England, Holland, Belgium, Denmark and more. The English film "Shame" features Steve McQueen! Multi passes for the general screenings are as cheap as 20 Euros for 27 films. Or 3 Euros a piece except the big events.

XXX Jazz Festival in Granada
Location: Various Venues (Granada)
Dates: 10 - 20 November
web: Jazzgranada.net
Just a short train ride away is one of the best jazz festivals in Andalucia with a great international list of artists. This year's line up includes: Roy Haynes, Ray Lema African Jazz Trio, Jay Holland and Pepe Habichuela, Stacy Kent, Christian McBride Trio, McCoy Tyner Trio with Jose James and Chris Potter, Antonio Hart, David Liebman, Dani de Moron and more. Some events are already sold out but plenty of tickets are available for others. Aside from the large concerts there is also jazz in the streets, bars and clubs Check out the web page above for tickets, schedules and more.

SICAB - Salon International del Caballo
Locations: Palacio de Congresos (Avda. Luis Uruñela).
Dates: 22 - 27 November
Web: sicab.org
SICAB is an international fair devoted exclusively to Purebred Spanish horses. This is the largest equestrian event in the world to focus solely on demonstrating the virtues and attributes of one particular breed. The program includes the Spanish Conformation Championship Final, the ANCCE Classic Dressage Cup, the ANCCE Doma Vaquera Cup, the ANCCE Carriage Driving Cup and the Special Evening Horse Show. SICAB has become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized top-level equestrian events, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.

Thanksgiving Day in Seville
Location: Seville Restaurants
Dates: 24 November
Especially important for homesick expats or students is where you might get a taste of home for Thanksgiving Day. If you plan to cook you can get a turkey (and cranberry sauce) in El Corte Inlges. The rest is fairly easy to come by. If you are looking for a restaurant places like Restaurante Nueva Victoria have a Thanksgiving Day menu (reservations in advance). You can also try the Texas Lone Star Saloon near the Cathedral, or Flaherty's pub, which often has a special Thanksgiving Day meal planned. Or Casa Carmelo in Santa Cruz which has something going on this year as well. Always best to reserve ahead, in most cases it is necessary!

Festival de Cine / Seville Film Festival
Location: Casino de la Exposicion, Teatro Lope de Vega and Cines Nervión Plaza.
Dates: 5 - 13 November
Web: festivaldesevilla.com
Director Carlos Saura will open his latest film, ‘Flamenco, Flamenco’, during a special gala on 11th November in Seville, as part of the European Film Festival. The film, which was shot in Seville, aims “to show the evolution of the songs, dances and music in this beautiful art”.  The festival features European cinema, but this year includes a special focus on Andalusian directors, with several screenings of works from the region.

Feria Regional de Jamón y Cerdo Ibérico
Location: Aracena (hour and a half from Sevilla)
Dates: 22 - 24 October
Get down and dirty with the beloved and tasty pig which is served up throughout Spain. I know that sounds terrible, but during the festival you can learn everything there is to know about raising these little guys and producing the cured meats that come from them. Likely to be a vegetarians nightmare, but a culinary aficionados' dream. And of course most interesting to the major producers in the area. And don't forget to stop at the Museo de Jamón (Ham Museum!) which will be holding a special tasting during the fair so you can sample various types of Iberian cured pig.

Festival de Cine / Seville Film Festival
Location: Casino de la Exposicion, Teatro Lope de Vega and Cines Nervión Plaza.
Dates: 5 - 13 November
Web: festivaldesevilla.com
The guest country at the 2009 Seville European Film Festival is the United Kingdom.  A wide selection of the programming will therefore be dedicated to British films. This year's festival will feature new productions, documentaries and short films as well as meetings and workshops . Directors, producers and members of the industry and of film institutions from the UK (such as the British Film Institute , UK Film Council and Film London) will take part in the event.

Mes de Danza / Month of Dance
Location: Many venues (see below).
Dates: 13 - 22 November
Web: Trans-forma.es
November is the month of contemporary dance in Seville, with over 20 different dance companies performing throughout the city. Venues include: Centro de las Artes de Sevilla, Endanza Espacio Vivo, Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, Espacio Iniciarte, Sala TNT and Pista Digital. Santa Justa train station, Puerta Jerez and Restaurante La Tasca are public venues. For a complete schedule of events you can check the web site listed above.

SICAB - Salon International del Caballo
Locations: Palacio de Congresos (Avda. Luis Uruñela).
Dates: 24 - 29 November
Web: sicab.org
SICAB is an international fair devoted exclusively to Purebred Spanish horses. This is the largest equestrian event in the world to focus solely on demonstrating the virtues and attributes of one particular breed. The program includes the Spanish Conformation Championship Final, the ANCCE Classic Dressage Cup, the ANCCE Doma Vaquera Cup, the ANCCE Carriage Driving Cup and the Special Evening Horse Show. SICAB has become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized top-level equestrian events, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.

XXX Jazz Festival in Granada
Location: Various Venues (Granada)
Dates: 7 - 22 November
web: Jazzgranada.net
Just a short train ride away is the best jazz festival in Andalucia with a great international list of artists. This year's line up includes: Branford Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Kevin Mahogany with the Granada Big Band, Ignacio Berroa Quartet with David Sánchez , Erik Truffaz Quartet, Overtone Quartet with Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Chris Potter and Eric Harland, Richard Bona, Eddie Gómez Trio, and Abdullah Ibrahim Trio. Some events are already sold out but plenty of tickets are available for others. Aside from the large concerts many of the bars and clubs will be holding nightly performances as well as other events. Check out the web page above for tickets, schedules and more.

Mes de Danza / Month of Dance
Location: Many venues (see below).
Dates: 1 - 25 November
Web: Trans-forma.es
November is the month of contemporary dance in Seville, with over 20 different dance companies performing throughout the city.   Venues include:  Teatro de la Maestranza , Teatro Central,  Teatro Alameda ,  Monasterio de La Cartuja, Reales Atarazanas, the Casino de la Exposición and the San Luis church.  For a complete schedule of events you can check the web site listed above.



Feria de las Naciones
Location: Prado de San Sebastian
Dates: 25 Sep - 2 Nov
After two years in the Parque Maria Luisa, the Festival returns to Prado. This time around the Festival de las Naciones in Sevilla will be in it's 14th year? I honestly don't remember. The Festival runs for over a month, from the end of September to early November. You can sample different foods at the various stands. Almost all include seating and table service, if you can get a table. Also part of the Festival are musical and dance performances as well as plenty of small shops where you can "shop by country". More information on my page dedicated to the festival.



 
Festival de Cine / Seville Film Festival
Location: Casino de la Exposicion, Teatro Lope de Vega and Cines Nervión Plaza.
Dates: 2 - 10 November
This year's theme is once again European Cinema! The main screenings can be seen in Cines Nervión Plaza, where there will be multiple films every day for most of the festival dates. The price is cheap, too: 3€ for a movie or buy a bono and get up to 20 movies for 20€. You can find more information on the official web site, although there is a lot which isn't updated, especially the English version! The event also give you the chance to attend conferences and roundtables with directors and producers if you are so inclined and of course pay a fee.

SICAB - Salon International del Caballo
Locations: Palacio de Congresos (Avda. Luis Uruñela).
Dates: November 20 - 25
Web: ancee.es
SICAB is an international fair devoted exclusively to Purebred Spanish horses. This is the largest equestrian event in the world to focus solely on demonstrating the virtues and attributes of one particular breed. The program includes the Spanish Conformation Championship Final, the ANCCE Classic Dressage Cup, the ANCCE Doma Vaquera Cup, the ANCCE Carriage Driving Cup and the Special Evening Horse Show. SICAB has become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized top-level equestrian events, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.







XXVII Jazz Festival in Granada
Location: Various Venues (Granada)
Dates: 3 - 30 November
web: Jazzgranada.net

Just a short train ride away is the best jazz festival in Andalucia with a great international list of artists. This year's line up includes: Gerardo Núñez Trío with Perico Sambeat, Charlie Haden´s Liberation Music Orchestra With Carla Bley, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Randy Weston´s African Rhythms Trio, Dave Douglas Keystone Sextet, Dave Samuels with Granada Big Band, Jacky Terrasson Trio with Laïka Fatien, Kurt Elling Quartet, Kenny Barron. Some events are already sold out but plenty of tickets are available for others. Aside from the large concerts many of the bars and clubs will be holding nightly performances as well as other events. Check out the web page above for tickets, schedules and more.

Feria del Libro Antiguo
Location: Plaza Nueva
Dates: 19 November - 8 December
A gathering of local book merchants selling old and rare books, plus some normal more recent books. There are some interesting titles from the Ayuntamiento, including several published titles about history, art and architecture of Sevilla. Comics, old newspapers as well as a few antique and replica posters and photographs. More information on the holidays can be found in this month's feature.

Feria del Belén
Location: Next to Archivo de Indias
Dates: 11 November - 23 December
A tradition throughout Spain and certainly in Sevilla is that of the belén, or nativity scene. Now is the time where people purchase the figures and scenery either for a new or to add to existing belenes. Christmas ornaments, cards and other decorations are available as well. This year the market has moved: between the Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias. More information on the holidays can be found in this month's feature.

Holiday Lights
Location: Seville City Center
Dates: 3 December - 6 January
In early November they were already up in many streets, but they don't flip the switch on the Christmas lights until the holiday weekend beginning on 3 December. From this time through New Year's they keep the center cheerful until officially being turned off around 6 January. The lights bring crowds to the center to shop and make for some great photos if you have a good tripod!

Muestra de Dulces de los Conventos
Location: Reales Alcázares (Palacio Gótico)
Dates: 4 - 6 December
Once a year (conveniently timed before the holidays) 16 convents from Seville city and the rest of the province gather in the Reales Alcázares to exhibit, and of course sell, their traditional sweets. Each year there is a new twist to their offerings and each year there are long lines as sevillanos stock up before the Christmas holidays. While you can get many of these treats during the year, it's only once a year they are all together in the same place.
 

Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
Location: Plaza del Triunfo
Dates: 7 (8) December
Celebrating the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, this is an official holiday in Spain, shared typically over a long weekend with Constitution Day (December 6th). In Sevilla it is best known for the night before on the 7th when los tunos, university student musical groups or fraternities, dress up and head into the streets to play guitar and sing through the night. All end up in front of La Purisima, leaving flowers and taking turns serenading the statue representing the Virgin Mary. More information can be found in this month's feature: the holidays in Seville.

Mercado de Artesania
Location: Plaza Nueva
Dates: 16 December - 5 January
This is perhaps the best place to find gifts for the holidays, with plenty of art, crafts, jewelry, clothing and more to choose from. All sold directly from the makers to you, plus a demonstration booth and even a bar at the far end of Plaza Nueva. More information on the holidays can be found in this month's feature.

Rebajas - Sales!
Location: Just about everywhere
Dates: January, February
The holiday shopping season is over, and overstock is on sale. Stores are clearing inventory for spring and you can't pass a store without seeing a "Rebajas" sign. Anyway, as January is a slow month you can take a stroll through the center and find just about anything on sale.