Seville’s Feria de Abril: History, Culture, and Why You’ll Love It

What Is Seville’s Feria de Abril? Spain’s Biggest Spring Festival

updated May 2025 

✨ Planning your 2025 Seville trip? Feria de Abril is happening May 6-11. Get ready for an unforgettable cultural experience! 💃🏽

The air smells like fried dough and pescaito frito. Horses clop past in rhythm, mounted by handsome riders holding a glass of cerveza or rebujito. Flamenco guitar and laughter fill the tents as merry-makers dance the pasos of the sevillanas. This is the Feria de Abril — and Seville does it like no one else.

Let’s face it, Spaniards like to party, and nobody is as passionate as an Andalusian. Now, if that Andalusian is Sevillano, watch out! The Feria de Abril, or April Fair, is one of the most celebrated and iconic festivals in Spain, and the Seville Feria is one that you have to see once, twice, or as many times as you can. This annual event is a week-long celebration that typically takes place two weeks after Semana Santa (Holy Week). That’s right, just after the religious celebrations come to an end, the real partying begins. This is an event that attracts visitors from all over Spain and sometimes the world who come to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, fried foods, flowing beverages, and traditional music and dance. It is also Seville’s largest-grossing event of the year! What the city and its inhabitants (and visitors) invest in Feria is something else!

The origins

But where does this festival come from? It’s nice to get down and have a rebujito or cervicito as you dance the sevillanas, but it’s always nice to know the roots of things to further enrich your cultural discovery. The history of the Seville Feria – Feria de Abril dates back to the 19th century when it was originally a livestock fair that was held in the Prado de San Sebastian, a large open area on the outskirts of Seville. It first began in 1847 and was introduced by Narciso Bonaplata, from Catalonia, and José María Ybarra, from the Basque Country. What started as a celebration of spring in April evolved into a social gathering that celebrated Andalusian culture, and it eventually became the colorful, joyous celebration that we know today. What once was an April fair now falls either in April or May, depending on Easter.

The Casetas

One of the most distinctive features of the Feria de Abril is the Caseta, which is a type of tent that is set up by different groups and organizations throughout the fairgrounds. Each Caseta is decorated with colorful flags and streamers, and they often feature live music, dancing, and food and drink. It’s a great way to experience the festive spirit of the Feria de Abril and to get a taste of the local culture.

One thing that distinguishes Seville’s feria from many others in the neighboring provinces is that the majority of the casetas are privately owned. Associations own and operate the individual casetas, and getting on the list of these associations is a life’s goal for some and not something you will just give away. Most of these memberships are handed from family member to family member, but when you are in, you are in. If you are lucky (or you are not too shy to ask), you may have someone say to you, “I have a caseta, you should come.” By that, they mean that they are an associate of a caseta and you can come in as their guest. Casetas that are private often will have a bouncer at the door who checks if you are supposed to be there. To thank your host, be sure to buy them a jar of rebujito, as is the tradition. Check out our guide on how to enjoy the Seville feria like a local for the list of recommended public casetas you can try if you didn’t manage to get an invite.

Why the Seville Feria stands out

• It’s iconic — but not the oldest.
  Seville’s Feria de Abril is arguably the most famous in Andalusia, but it’s not the first of the year. That honor goes to the Feria in Mairena del Alcor, a small town just outside Seville.

• It honors Andalusian culture.
  From the sevillanas dance to traditional flamenco dress, the Feria pays tribute to the region’s deep cultural roots.

• It’s massive in scale.
  With thousands of daily visitors, hundreds of Casetas, and a sprawling fairground, this isn’t your average local festival — it’s a full-blown cultural spectacle.

• It’s unforgettable.
  Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, the music, energy, and hospitality of Seville during Feria week leave lasting memories.

If you want some tips on how to survive and enjoy Feria like you mean it, be sure to check our How to enjoy the Seville feria like a local post for tips on making your way around the fair and enjoying it too!

For more information on the Feria de Abril dates, check here.

Dive deeper into Spanish culture with a food and wine holiday with Let’s Eat The World’s Let’s Eat Seville 8-day Tour a culinary holiday in Seville, Spain