Sevillle April Fair
by Fiona Flores Watson
Seville Spring Feria Dates 2024
Sun 14th April (00.00hrs) to
Sat 20th April (24.00) 2024
Spring in Seville has a special atmosphere, garlanded with the sweet scent of orange blossom and jasmine, and a frisson of excited anticipation, as the city's two most important events take place - first Semana Santa and then the Spring Fair, the Feria de Abril.
When and where does it happen, and what it is?
The Seville Fair traditionally starts two clear weeks after Semana Santa, in a huge recinto ferial (fairground) in Los Remedios (see map below), to the south-west of the city, next to the river. The traditional dates are therefore; 14th to 20th April 2024, 4th to 10th April 2025 and 19th to 25th April 2026 but do need to be confirmed by town hall decree usually issues in the preceeding summer.
This is a week of serious dancing, drinking, eating and socialising, with late nights - or all-nighters - the norm. The sheer extent of the April Fair's spectacle is extraordinary. From around midday until early evening - especially on Sunday, the first official day - Sevilla society parades around the fairground in carriages or on horseback. There are also daily bullfights , generally considered the best of the season. Then the eating, drinking and fancing continues into the small hours.
What are casetas and what happens in them? Can anyone go into them?
The "Real de la Feria", where the Feria takes place, covers 450,000m2 and includes the amusem*nt park, Calle de Infierno (Hell Street), and the casetas, striped tents of varying sizes in 24 blocks arranged along 15 streets, as well as the car park (for special passes only).
Numbering over 1,000, the casetas belong to local families, groups of friends, businesses, clubs, trade associations and political parties. Most of the casetas are private and open only to members and their guests. If you have a Sevillano friend with a caseta, you could be lucky enough to receive a much-coveted invitation.
Alternatively, and essential for visitors who won't have access to the private casetas, there are a number of casetas with free entry - - two public municipal ones, Fiesta Mayores, and one for each of six districts of Seville. You can also enter the political parties' ones (PSOE, PP, Partido Andalucista); the trades unions' (CCOO, UGT, USO); one called La Marimorena which serves vegan food; and the new tourist one. Here is our full list of Seville fair casetas open to the public.
Inside the tents the drinks begin to flow, and tapas are served, from around 1:30pm till early next morning. Each caseta is equipped with a bar, kitchen and sound system or live entertainment playing Sevillanas . This is the official genre of folk music in Seville, which has its own set dance. It's worth taking a few classes before the Feria so you don't have to be a wallflower.
As a non-native, pay attention to how the authentic "Sevillanos" (natives of Seville) pace themselves in order to make it full-force right through to the end. Also, a little effort goes a long way - whatever your level of Spanish, make sure you use it (again, why not brush up a little before going, by taking some classes). You´re a guest at their party, so express your appreciation by joining in!
Buy tickets for Alcazar Guided Tour
Alcázar of Seville: Game of Thrones Guided Tour
48
EUR
See where Game of Thrones was filmed and get insider stories on the cast.
Skip the line to the Royal Alcázar of Seville, one of the oldest palaces in the world
Hear the history of the palace and see where they filmedGame of Thronesin different areas
What do people wear, and what should I wear?
Some men, and many women, wear the traditional costume. For men - particularly those on horseback or driving carriages - this is the traje corto, or short suit consisting of fitted trousers and a short, fitted jacket with wide-brimmed hat. Women wear the traditional traje de gitano, literally gypsy suit or flamenco dress, often in bright colours, and accessorised with matching/coordinating flower in hair, comb, jewellery, manton (fringed shawl) and fan.
The dresses are pricey, but worth investing in if you'll be coming back again - nothing makes you feel part of an event like being dressed appropriately. For men, unless you have an Arab steed to convey you, and are svelte of figure, the traje corto is a less advisable option. Perhaps better a normal suit.
Find more about Feria de Sevilla:
Seville Feria - Fascinating Fact 1 - Turning on the fair
The first thing you'll see when you arrive at the Seville Fair from the city centre is the portada - the gateway, where you traditionally enter the fairground. Everyone gets their photo… More →
Seville Feria - Fascinating Fact 2 - An April fair in May?
Seville’s fair is officially known as the April Fair, but in fact, it isn’t always been celebrated entirely in April, and sometimes even takes place in May. The date depends on when Easter falls… More →
How to get to the Feria
Don't even try to park near the Feria, unless you have a micro-car like a Smart which will fit into the smallest spaces. Instead, leave it at the Charco de la Pava car park, and catch the shuttle… More →
History of the Seville Fair
The Feria started in 1846 as a livestock fair in the Prado de Sebastian, where horses were traded. Its aim was also to provide an uplifting distraction from the aftermath of the Napoleonic… More →
Best days (or nights) to go to the Seville Fair
The Wednesday of the Feria is a public holiday in Seville, so that day tends to be more crowded as locals can come during the day (as opposed to after work), and on Friday and Saturday many… More →
Seville Feria - Five Fascinating Facts
Seville’s April fair has a long and varied history. Here are a few facts and figures associated with its past, and its present traditions. The first thing you'll see when you arrive at the Seville… More →
Practical Tips - Seville Feria
Car: don't even try to park near the Feria, unless you have a micro-car like a Smart which will fit into the smallest spaces. Instead, leave it at the Charco de la Pava car park, and catch the… More →
Glossary of terms - Seville Feria
Some important Feria terms so you can sound like a local. Albero - traditional yellow sand (its colour is emblematic of Sevilla) on the ground of the recinto - can get dusty in hot weather, turns… More →
Dress for the Seville Feria
As tourists approach the Seville Fair in simple shirts and trousers, cameras in hand and sunglasses ready for action, it might appear that all the natives are simply dressed in some traditional… More →
Fairground Attractions - Seville Feria
The Seville April Fair takes place in the Los Remedios neighbourhood in Seville on grounds covering 1.2 million square metres. Part of this area is set aside every year for the amusem*nt park… More →
Food and Drink at Seville Feria
If you're a guest who has been formally invited to a caseta, once in your host will buy the first round of drinks and raciones - cheese, prawns, ham, 'pescao frito' (fried fish). Let him - it's… More →
Sevillana
The sevillana is a colourful and exciting style of song and dance that originated in Castile and not in Seville, a variation from a style of dance known as the seguidilla. The sevillana is not… More →
Seville Feria - Fascinating Fact 3 - Feria Rules
The Sevilla Fair might be all about drinking, dancing and parading about on horseback, but don’t think for a minute this means there are no rules for participants; in fact, the rules are very… More →
Seville Feria - Fascinating Fact 4 - Feria Paraphernalia
Feria Paraphernalia. Each and every decorative element used in Seville’s spring fair has its own unique history. The paper lanterns that are strung across the fairgrounds first made their… More →
Spring Fair Article
Those from Seville, Andalucia or, in fact, anyone who really wants to enter into the spirit of the "feria" dress up in their finery, ideally the traditional "traje de corto" (short jacket, tight… More →
Seville Feria - Fascinating Fact 5 - Feria Dress
The traje de flamenca, or flamenco dress, worn by women at the Feria is the only regional clothing that changes according to fashion – colour, length, neckline, sleeve type, spot size etc. The… More →
Destinations
- Seville
See and Do
- Festivals
- Summer Fairs
- Spring Fairs
- Traditional Festivals
