SEVILLE APRIL FAIR
The modern Feria de Abril was created after councillors José María Ybarra and Narciso Bonaplata proposed recovering Seville's spring fair. The municipal proposal was approved in 1846, and the first modern fair opened in the Prado de San Sebastián on April 18, 1847.
That first edition was essentially a livestock and commercial fair and had only 19 casetas. The social side quickly became just as important as the trading, and over the following decades music, food and dancing gradually transformed the event into the celebration known today.
The fairground lies between Los Remedios and Tablada. The municipal site is divided into three main areas: the Real de la Feria, where the casetas and main streets are located; the Calle del Infierno, with rides, games and fairground attractions; and the parking areas.
Much of the life of the Feria happens inside the casetas. They are decorated temporary pavilions where people eat, drink, talk and dance. Many belong to families, associations, companies or other groups and are private, so entry normally requires an invitation.
Visitors should not assume that the whole Feria is closed to outsiders. Seville also provides public-access casetas, including municipal district casetas, where anyone can enter while capacity allows. In the 2026 edition, the municipal public casetas operated from 12:00 until 03:00; the exact list and hours should be checked again for 2027 when published.
Best time for a first visit
During the afternoon you can see the Paseo de Caballos, the dresses and the Real in daylight. Evening brings more lights, music and nightlife.
If you do not know anyone locally
Start with public casetas rather than trying to enter private ones. Tourist information points inside the Real can also help you locate them.
Traje de flamenca
The flamenco dress is one of the visual symbols of the Feria. Styles change with fashion, but ruffles, colour and carefully chosen accessories remain central to the tradition.
Men's dress
Most men simply dress smartly. The traditional traje corto is especially associated with horse riders and carriage drivers rather than being required dress for all male visitors.
Sevillanas
The characteristic dance of the Feria is the sevillana. Flamenco is part of the broader cultural setting, but the music heard and danced in the casetas is very often sevillanas and rumbas.
Paseo de Caballos
During the daytime, horses and traditional carriages circulate through the Real, creating one of the most distinctive images of the Feria.
Food is part of the social rhythm of the Feria. The traditional pescaíto frito is closely associated with the opening night, while throughout the week casetas serve dishes such as Iberian cured meats, fried fish, tortillas, stews and other Andalusian favourites.
Manzanilla is one of the classic wines of the Feria, and rebujito — usually manzanilla mixed with a lemon-lime soft drink and served very cold — is one of the most characteristic drinks of the celebration.
The Feria traditionally ends on Sunday night with a fireworks display beside the Guadalquivir. The exact operational plan is published each year; in 2026, the municipal display was scheduled for midnight at the end of the final Sunday.
Do not rely on a fixed timetable
The Real changes throughout the day. Afternoon is ideal for horses and daylight atmosphere; night is busier and more focused on eating, drinking and dancing.
Use public transport
Traffic and parking around Los Remedios are heavily affected during the Feria. Special public-transport services are normally reinforced each year.
Know the caseta rule
A beautifully decorated doorway does not necessarily mean public access. If the caseta is private, wait for an invitation rather than trying to enter.
Dress comfortably
You do not need traditional clothing to visit. Smart, comfortable clothes and shoes are more useful than trying to imitate local dress without knowing the conventions.
Why the Feria Is Different
The Feria de Abril is not simply a fairground or a street festival. Its identity comes from the combination of the caseta culture, the horse tradition, the Portada, sevillanas, food and the social life of the Real.
Visitors can enjoy it without a private invitation, but understanding how the casetas work and choosing the right time of day makes the experience much easier.
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