The Feria de Abril is one of the most iconic celebrations in Seville and all of Spain. Every year, this festival transforms the city into a stage of joy, music, dance, and tradition. But beyond the visual spectacle, what does the Feria de Abril really mean to the people of Seville? Don’t worry, MaestroMío is here to explain it all. In this blog, you’ll learn about this famous festival, its history, its traditions, and why it’s one of the most anticipated events in Spain. Keep reading to find out more!
The Entrance of the Seville Fair 2025
Source: https://www.eldiario.es/sevilla/portada-feria-sevilla-2025-inspirada-pabellon-chile_1_11662995.html
The origins of the story of the Feria de Abril
The Feria of Abril was born in 1847 as a livestock fair. Two Basque businessmen, José María Ybarra and Narciso Bonaplata, proposed creating a commercial event where farmers could sell their livestock. The fair was so successful that over time it became a social and cultural celebration.
By the late 19th century, the fair’s booths multiplied, flamenco music and traditional flamenco dresses became the main attractions, and the fair transformed from just a market into the grand celebration we know today.
In the Feria de Sevilla, a work by Manuel Cabral Aguado-Bejarano (1855), preserved in the Carmen Thyssen Museum Málaga.
Source: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5119985/0/origen-la-feria-de-abril-de-sevilla-una-idea-de-un-vasco-y-un-catalan-1846/
What does the Feria represent?
For the people of Seville, the Feria de Abril is much more than a celebration. It represents:
🎉 Joy and fun: For a week, Seville is filled with music, dance, and non-stop celebration.
💃 Identity and tradition: It is a reflection of Andalusian culture, with its flamenco, cuisine, and folklore.
👨👩👧👦 Social gathering: It is a moment to enjoy with family and friends, both in the booths and at the Fairgrounds.
3 Key Elements of the Feria de Abril
📍 El Real de la Feria
It is the venue where the fair is held, with streets decorated with colorful lanterns and over 1,000 booths.
🏡 The Booths (Casetas)
The booths are small tents where the people of Seville gather to eat, drink, and dance. Some are private and can only be accessed by invitation, but there are also public booths that are open to tourists.
Source: https://sevillasecreta.co/por-que-las-casetas-son-privadas-y-el-duque-de-montpensier/
🎠 The Calle del Infierno
This is the fair’s amusement zone, with Ferris wheels, carousels, and all kinds of rides for both children and adults.
Source: https://feriadesevilla.andalunet.com/la-calle-del-infierno-feria-de-abril-de-sevilla/
👗 The Flamenco Dress and Fashion
Women wear the traditional flamenco dress, while men typically wear a suit or a short traditional outfit when riding horses.
Source: https://www.turismosevilla.org/es/eventos-y-fiestas/feria-de-abril-2024
🐴 The Horse Rides
One of the fair’s major spectacles is the parade of horse riders and carriages through the Real.
Source: https://www.andalucia.org/blog/post/feria-de-abril-paseo-de-caballos-y-enganches/
💥 The Lighting and Fireworks
The fair begins with the “alumbrao,” when thousands of lights are turned on at the entrance of the fair, and ends with a grand fireworks display over the Guadalquivir River.
Typical Cuisine of the Feria de Abril
At the fair, traditional dishes and drinks are enjoyed, such as:
🥘 Pescaíto frito (eaten during the “Pescaíto Dinner” on the first day).
🍗 Iberian ham and Manchego cheese.
🥩 Oxtail and montaditos de pringá.
🍷 Rebujito (a mix of Manzanilla wine with lemon-lime soda).
The Feria de Abril in Seville is a celebration full of color, music, and tradition, where the Andalusian spirit shines at its fullest. It is a party that represents the essence of Seville and attracts thousands of people from around the world every year.
If you want to experience authentic Andalusian culture, there is no better time to visit Seville than during its fair. ¡Olé! 💃🎶
Source: https://www.articulo14.es/espana-por-la-igualdad/andalucia/cuando-empieza-la-feria-de-abril-de-sevilla-2025-alumbrado-fechas-y-festivos-20250102.html
