Seville April Fair

A big parade with colorful carriages, men on horseback and beautiful Sevillian ladies dressed in traditional costumes awaits you. It is the most important festival in the city of Seville. It is the Feria de Abril or Seville Fair.

There is no better way to enjoy the spring than being part of a colorful and enjoyable party, with lots of lights, riders and the monument covered by thousands of lanterns illuminating the nights. Come to Seville to be part of this great festivity and olé!

What is the Feria de Abril or Seville Fair?

The April Fair or Seville Fair is a joyful and colorful festival that takes place in the city of Seville, located in the autonomous community of Andalusia (Spain).

According to the Municipal Ordinance of the City Council of Seville this festivity is celebrated on the two Sundays following Easter. In the year 2022 it will be held from May 1 to 7.

The city is decked out to welcome thousands of visitors and locals who will share for a whole week full of joy, music and fun.

One of the great attractions that decorate this festivity is the monumental façade that stands at the entrance of the fairgrounds, beautifully illuminated with thousands of light bulbs. It will serve as a meeting point and reference for the great revelry.

The fair is about 450,000 square meters in size and has about 1,052 booths.

How is the April Fair celebrated?

The April Fair begins with the night of the "alumbrao". At the grand opening of the Seville Fair, the lights of the fairgrounds are turned on at the monumental gate. But that's not all, a delicious traditional dish known as "pescaito frito" awaits you to complete the opening night, which you can enjoy in the "casetas" located throughout the fairground complex.

The streets are decorated with lanterns to illuminate the Paseo de Caballos, which consists of parades of horses, carriages and carts. In this regard, the cart is the only vehicle allowed in the Real de la Feria.

You can enjoy an Exhibition of Enganche in the Maestranza bullring, with the exhibition of beautiful carriages.

Fun and entertainment have their place in the Calle del Infierno, where you can enjoy the amusement park, with the traditional "cacharritos", tombolas and other entertainments.

We cannot fail to mention that the day before the beginning of the fair week, a bullfight is held as part of the bullfighting season that takes place in the bullring of the Real Maestranza de Caballería.

The fun continues in the evenings. Enjoy a delicious dinner with typical Seville dishes and traditional tapas. Visit the "casetas" (booths) set up throughout the fair, a delight! The area of the casetas is known as the Real de la Feria.

The closing or closure takes place on the night of the last day of this festival, with a great fireworks display along the Guadalquivir River. They can be seen from anywhere in the city of Seville Fire and lights in full color!

How to enjoy Seville's April Fair

The Seville fair is a unique and exciting experience that can be enjoyed in many ways! Here we give you some tips but surely, as you soak up the atmosphere, you will bring your own experiences. Here are our recommendations:

• Dance and sing: Music and dance are central elements of the Seville fair. Enjoy the live shows and get up the courage to dance sevillanas, rumbas and other popular dances.
• Visit the attractions: The Seville fair has a wide variety of attractions, such as carousels and merry-go-rounds for the little ones, as well as games of skill and fun for adults.
• Enjoy the shows: During the Seville fair there are a lot of shows, such as flamenco performances, concerts and bullfights. Be sure to see at least one of these shows during your visit.
• Enjoy the gastronomy: Gastronomy is one of the main attractions of the Seville fair. Try some of the typical dishes such as Iberian ham, Spanish omelette, garlic shrimp, tapas and typical drinks such as rebujito (white wine with lemon and soda) and beer.

The booths at the Seville Fair

During the Seville Fair, the booths are an important part of the festive experience. There are public and private booths, and there are some things you should keep in mind about each one:

• Public booths: Public booths are owned by the Seville City Council and are free for any visitor to access. These booths are larger and are usually located on the main streets of the fairgrounds. They are an ideal option for visitors who want to enjoy the festive atmosphere without spending too much money.
• Private booths: Private booths are owned by companies, clubs, or individuals, and access is restricted to their members and invited guests. These booths are smaller and usually have more elaborate decorations and a more varied gastronomic offer. They are also usually more expensive, but offer a more exclusive and private experience.

It is important to note that some private booths may require an invitation or prior reservation to access. In addition, booths usually have an opening and closing schedule, and some days are more crowded than others. Therefore, it is recommended to inform yourself about the schedules and busiest days to plan your visit and enjoy the Seville Fair to the fullest.

Origins of the April Fair celebration

The April Fair began in 1847, initially conceived as a commercial and livestock fair. It was the initiative of two councilmen settled in the city (Narciso Bonaplata and José María de Ibarra), who presented a proposal to the City Council of Seville at that time, to hold an agricultural and livestock fair. It was authorized by Queen Isabel II by decree.

As it was a fair for the sale of livestock, some booths were set up, equivalent to stables. By 1850 booths with other uses and functions (leisure, food, among others) were placed.

The first fair was inaugurated with 19 booths in the Prado de San Sebastián on April 18, 1847. Subsequently, during the second half of the 19th century, the festivity focused on various exhibitions and local trade fairs.

Between 1947 and 1956 the fair was held without the commercial component that characterized it.

From 1973 the fair moved to the Los Remedios neighborhood, expanding its extension and housing more than 1,000 booths. Currently these booths are given to individuals, public and private entities, as well as associations.

Curiosities of the April Fair

Know some curious and interesting facts about the Feria de Sevilla:

• Two foreigners were the founders of this festivity in 1846: a Basque and a Catalan.
• The first poster of the April Fair was made by the painter García Ramos, in 1890.
• All the streets of the Real de la Feria de Abril are named after great bullfighters of the province of Seville.
• The "casetas" usually have a "tablao", for dancing "sevillanas".
• A "Concurso de Exorno de Casetas" is held to award the best decorated "caseta" of the Fiesta de Abril.
• The floor of the streets is covered with albero. It is a yellowish colored earth from the town of Alcalá de Guadaira. It is the sand used in the bullrings and gardens of Seville.
• The wine of the Fair is manzanilla. During the whole week about 1.5 million bottles are consumed.
• The traditional flamenco dress was consecrated in Seville, from the 1929 exhibition.

Recommendations to the visitor

If you want to enjoy these festivities to the fullest, here are some recommendations and practical tips:

• You can go to the Muelle de las Delicias to fully enjoy the fireworks show during the closing of the fair.
• Ask for a guided tour service to get to know in depth the historical and artistic heritage of Seville.
• If you are not a local, look for a map of the fair, so you can better orient yourself and not miss a single detail of this festival.
• Given the large influx of people visiting this great fair, take care of your belongings and do not carry valuables that can get lost.

What else can you see or do if you go to the Seville Fair?

It is worth taking a tour of the magnificent places that this beautiful city has to offer, several of them declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

All of them are very interesting, but we will mention just a few of them. Discover Seville Let's go for a walk and have fun!

As an important fact we would like to mention that Seville has a public bicycle rental service (Sevici). So you can enjoy the city riding on the bike lane. There are 180 kilometers and 250 Sevici stations.

• Seville Cathedral: it is the largest Gothic temple in the world. Here is the mausoleum containing the remains of Christopher Columbus.
• Archivo de Indias: this building contains documents of great value, including manuscripts of Christopher Columbus and Magellan.
• La Giralda of Seville: an imposing tower that has a lookout, where you can contemplate the entire city of Seville.
• Aquarium of Seville: considered one of the largest oceanariums in Europe. It has about 500 aquatic species, distributed in thematic areas.
• Museum of Fine Arts: contains important works of Sevillian baroque painting of the seventeenth century, with great painters such as Velázquez, Murillo and Zurbarán. Murillo and Zurbarán.
• Real Alcázar of Seville: it is a palace with spectacular gardens and a magnificent combination of Arab and Christian art. It has been the scene of major film productions such as Game of Thrones.
• Jardines de las Delicias: this large green area dates from 1830, contains more than a hundred species and has an area of 54,252 m2.
• Other places to visit: Triana Bridge, Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, Cartuja Monastery, Archaeological Museum, Maria Luisa Park.

Crafts and Shopping at the Seville April Fair

The Seville April Fair is an ideal place to buy handicrafts and local products, and there are many interesting options for visitors who want to take home a special souvenir from the fair. Some recommended options are:

• Flamenco dresses: The Seville Fair is an opportunity to dress up in traditional flamenco dresses and dance in the streets. If you're interested in buying a dress, there are many shops in Seville that sell high-quality dresses with various designs.
• Ceramics and tiles: Seville is known for its beautiful hand-painted ceramics and tiles, and at the April Fair, you can find many shops selling these unique products. You can find plates, cups, vases, and other decorative objects.
• Fans: The fan is an essential accessory for the Seville Fair, and there are many shops selling fans of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Fans can be a perfect gift for friends and family.
• Sweets and pastries: The Seville Fair is a great place to try traditional sweets and pastries from the region, such as tortas de aceite, pestiños, torrijas, and alfajores. There are many shops and stalls at the fair where you can buy these products.
• Silver jewelry: Seville is known for its silver jewelry, and at the April Fair, you can find many shops selling high-quality silver rings, bracelets, earrings, and other accessories.

What to Drink at the Seville Fair

During the Seville April Fair, the most popular drinks are wine, beer, and the famous "rebujito". The wine consumed at the fair is mainly the red wine from the region, although some white and rosé wines can also be found. Beer is another popular drink, especially on the hottest days of the fair.

However, "rebujito" is the typical drink of the Seville April Fair. This drink is prepared by mixing manzanilla or fino (two types of Andalusian white wine) with lemon and carbonated water. It is served in a large jug and drunk in small glasses. "Rebujito" is a refreshing and light drink, perfect to enjoy during the day while strolling through the fairgrounds.

It is also common to drink other alcoholic beverages such as brandy and rum at the fair. However, it is important to remember to drink in moderation and always have a designated driver or take a taxi back to the hotel or accommodation after the fair.

Sevillian Gastronomy

One of the main protagonists of Sevillian gastronomy are the tapas. In fact, Seville is considered the World Capital of Tapas, due to the quantity and quality of the offer. But there is much more to taste. We show you some typical Sevillian dishes. Enjoy your meal!

• Tapas: you have plenty of options to try. Carrillada, grilled squid, croquettes, ensaladilla, spinach with chickpeas and menudo sevillano.
• Pescaíto frito: fish breaded in wheat flour and fried in olive oil.
• Papas con Chocos: classic seafood stew, made with potatoes and cuttlefish.
• Garbanzos con Bacalao: delicious chickpea and cod stew.
• Caldereta: stew made with beef or pork with a reduction of water, oil or wine.
• Pavía de Pavía or soldaditos de Pavía: dish of cod in batter. It can also be made with hake, known as La Pavia.
• Convent sweets: traditional sweets prepared by cloistered convents. Almond or sweet potato yolks, pestiños, bollitos de Santa Inés, sweet potato pasties and other delicacies.