New Year’s Eve in Seville

You may need more than that. I can only relate our experience of about five years ago. We had a tour with Concepcion earlier that day and she advised us that nothing would be open for NY eve or on NYear's day. Her advice was to visit a grocery store and buy enough for an evening meal and the next day. She was correct. Around 4 pm or so on New Year eve the local bars and restaurants were closing. By six pm basically everything except restaurants in major hotels were closed and the few open restaurants in hotels were packed. Our hotel had a really nice roof top garden that was our spot for our evening meal of wine, cheese, fruits, etc.

Around 11 pm or so, again following Concepcion's advice, we wonder to the central plaza around the big clock and joined a couple thousand local residents to ring in the New Year. The tradition is that you consume 12 grapes with the 12 strokes of the clock to celebrate the new year. There are vendors selling packets of 12 grapes if you don't bring your own. Very festive with lots of wine and good cheer. Everybody is your friend. Do need to be a little careful as there is heavy use of fireworks on the ground and in the air. Second, there is a throwing of empty wines in the air and crash on the pavement. Given the size and density of the crowd I was surprised that there were no injuries. And they didn't throw the bottles too far in the air -- maybe 3,4 feet -- more of a flip? Around 12.30 am or so the crowd broke up and, I assume, went home as there were no open bars or restaurants. It was super friendly. People grab our hands, wished us well for the New Years, offered us wine from their bottles, ect. It was great fun and we would do it again.

The next day, New Years, lots of people on the streets, in the park, but again everything was closed. The plaza was a mess but a crew was cleaning up. However, the Bull Fighting museum was open. Back to our wine and cheese.