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Up until recently the Christmas lights in Sevilla were turned on the night of the Inmaculada (December 8th) and turned off again for the season on the day of Los Reyes Magos (January 6th). I think it was about three years ago that the city council moved the date up to the last day of November because, at that time, there was a massive convention going on in town and apparently they wanted to create a festive atmosphere for the visitors. Since then the end of November has become the new “official” start of the Christmas season, moving it up about ten days, and each year more and more streets are being lit up.
I personally love the lights (well, except for the gaudy pink & purple display along Constitución) but I’m also glad to have a relatively short Christmas season here compared to the US, Canada and the UK. Makes it feel more special.
That is early. I remember being in Seville in 2011 and watching workers plant pointsettas in Plaza Nueva on December 15. The lights may have been up earlier, though. I love the lights, and would have them on as long as possible!
Hi Susan! Yeah, they’re still working on the poinsettias…
I don’t mind having the lights turned on a bit earlier, but nothing is sadder to me than seeing them still on until near the end of January, hoping to promote after-Christmas sales (sometimes in Toronto even into February!).
Yeah, end of January is way too late. The magic’s gone by then. At least they’re starting the pointsettas earlier this year. I didn’t see the point of going through so much work and expense for only a few weeks.