Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to say when / where something takes place
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Ser vs Estar in Spanish: when and where something takes place
When something takes place
To say when something takes place we use the verb ser this way:
La reunión es a las siete y media.The meeting is at seven thirty.
La fiesta de Javier es esta noche.Javier's party is tonight.
Los fuegos artificiales son a las doce en punto.The fireworks are at twelve o'clock precisely.
La celebración es el 8 de mayo a las 10.The celebration is on May 8th at 10.
Where something takes place
In a similar way we use the verb ser to say where something takes place:
El concierto de Ariana Grande es en el auditorio.The Ariana Grande concert is in the auditorium.
La exposición de arte moderno es en el Museo Nacional.The modern art exhibition is in the National Museum.
El entierro es en el cementerio de su pueblo.The burial is at his village cemetery.
You will often find a preposition after ser in these cases to introduce the part of the phrase that indicates time or location (= existence)
Be careful! We are referring here to "events", e.g. parties, meetings, concerts, weddings, exhibitions... and the nuance is to indicate their "existence"; we are talking about the event itself, rather than its physical location. For example:
¿Dónde es la exposición? - Es en el Museo del Prado.Where is the exhibition? - It's at the Museo del Padro.
(an exhibition is an event)
- ¿Y dónde está el Museo del Prado? - Está en Madrid.- And where is Museo del Prado? - It's in Madrid.
(a museum is a place)
An exhibition is an event (es en...), but a museum is a place (está en...)
See also Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar in Spanish (not ser) when talking about locations
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