Feria de Abril fest, Seville, Spain

The Feria de Abril (April Fair of Seville) takes place in Seville, Spain, in the third week after Easter, so the dates change every year. The festival is held in a large special area called the Real de la Feria, located in the Los Remedios district near the Guadalquivir River. It begins on Monday night with the pescaito dinner and the switching-on of the lights (alumbrado) at midnight, and then runs from Tuesday to Sunday; in 2027 the alumbrado is on 12 April and the fair lasts from 13 to 18 April. It is one of the most important traditional festivals in Spain.

The Feria de Abril is famous for its vibrant Andalusian culture, featuring hundreds of decorated tents known as casetas, where people gather to eat, drink, dance, and socialize. Many locals wear traditional clothing: women in flamenco dresses and men in formal suits or traditional riding outfits. The festival atmosphere includes live flamenco music, sevillanas dancing, horse-drawn carriages, and a lively social scene that continues late into the night.

Visiting and Attractions

Entrance to the fairground is free, and visitors can walk through the streets of the Real de la Feria without a ticket. However, most casetas are private, owned by families, organizations, or companies, and require an invitation to enter. There are also some public casetas where tourists can freely enter and experience traditional food, drinks, and dancing.

In addition to cultural activities, the festival includes a large amusement area called Calle del Infierno, featuring roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, and other fairground rides. Ride prices typically range from €3 to €5 per attraction. Food stalls and casetas offer local specialties such as tapas, fried fish, jamón, and traditional drinks like rebujito (a mix of sherry and soda).

The Feria de Abril is easily accessible from Seville’s city center. Visitors can reach the fairground in about 10–15 minutes by taxi, bus, or metro. The Seville Metro Line 1 stops at Blas Infante station, which is a short walk from the entrance. Several special bus lines also operate during the festival, and walking from the historic center takes around 30–40 minutes.