Seville April Fair

Background

The Seville April Fair (Feria de Abril) began as a livestock fair and gradually grew into Andalusia's signature spring festival; it was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 1980. The fair is usually held two weeks after Easter (Holy Week) and lasts six days. On the eve, the casetas gather for a fried-fish dinner (pescaíto), and at midnight the main gate is lit up (the alumbrado) to open the fair. The fairground lies between the Los Remedios district and Tablada, with more than a thousand casetas lining its streets. From midday each day, carriages and riders parade through the grounds; in the casetas, flamenco and sevillanas go on all night, accompanied by sherry and tapas. One side of the fairground is an amusement park, and the fair closes at midnight on the final night with fireworks by the Guadalquivir. Most casetas belong to private associations, companies or families and require an invitation; the fairground streets and the amusement park are open to everyone.

Local customs

• The lighting night
• the carriage and rider parades on the fairground
• flamenco and sevillanas
• sherry and tapas
• the fairground amusement park
• the closing fireworks

Travel tips

• The fair has no fixed calendar date
• it usually runs from the Tuesday to the Sunday two weeks after Easter, opening with the lighting at midnight the night before, and the final dates are announced by Seville City Council. The fairground is on the west bank of the Guadalquivir
• extra public transport runs during the fair, so public transport or walking is best. Book accommodation early.

2027 schedule

• Easter 2027 falls on 28 March, so by custom the fair runs from 13 to 18 April, opening with the lighting at midnight on 12 April
• the dates are pending announcement by Seville City Council.