April 6, 2024
What happens during the week at the Seville April Fair?
From the ceremonious lighting known as “El Alumbrao” to the exhilarating bullfights, each day of the Seville Feria offers something unique. Whether it’s the grand entrance arch adorned with colorful lanterns or the bustling casetas filled with music and dance, there’s no shortage of excitement to be found.
Let’s take a stroll through the week-long whirlwind of festivities at the Seville April Fair. Each day brings its own unique flavor to the vibrant tapestry of celebration.
Saturday: Kicking off the Fair with a members’ gathering at the casetas, the inauguration dinner known as “El Pescaíto” sets the stage for the week ahead.
Sunday: The city comes alive as the mayor lights up the night sky with a stunning display called “el Alumbrao”. Thousands of paper lanterns decorate the entrance arch, known as “la Portada”, creating a spectacle that attracts crowds from all over.
Monday: With a more relaxed atmosphere, Monday offers a respite from the bustling crowds. The lights continue to twinkle until the early hours, providing a serene backdrop for evening strolls.
Tuesday: It’s a day of reunions as friends, colleagues, and businesses come together for casual lunches and dinners. As the evening arrives, the lights gradually fade, signaling the end of another fun-filled day.
Wednesday: The Seville April Fair hits its peak on this public holiday, the streets are alive with horse-drawn carriages and locals in traditional attire. The lively festivities carry on late into the night, with the fairgrounds shining bright until the early hours. At the Seville Fair, horsemen and carriage riders sport a traditional outfit called the “traje de corto”. This ensemble includes a cropped jacket, high-waisted tight trousers, boots, and a hat known as the “cordobés”.
Thursday: As the weekend approaches, the Seville Fair gets even livelier. You might catch a glimpse of celebrities, bullfighters, and dignitaries mingling with the crowd. The atmosphere crackles with excitement as more people join the festivities.
Friday: A close contender for popularity, Friday sees the fairgrounds illuminated until the late hours, inviting everyone to enjoy one more night of fun and laughter.
Saturday: The grand finale unfolds with bullfighting at the ‘La Maestranza’ bullring. As midnight approaches, the Seville Fair bids farewell in a spectacular display of fireworks along the Guadalquivir river, marking the end of another unforgettable celebration.
So there you have it — each day of the Seville April Fair is a chapter in a story of tradition, friendship, and joyous celebration, culminating in a grand finale that leaves a lasting impression on all who partake.
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Public Casetas of the Seville April Fair
Each year, the Seville April fair boasts over 1,050 casetas, with over half being private and the rest belonging to organizations, businesses, or associations, this doesn’t mean that their access is less private, but rather less restricted. Access require accompaniment or an invitation by a local. However, there are public casetas accessible to all, typically open from 12:00 PM to around 03:00 AM. It’s worth noting that most of these casetas are owned by city districts, unions, and political parties. Here is the list:
– Caseta Distrito Casco Antiguo. Calle Antonio Bienvenida, 97-98-101.
– Caseta Distritos Sur – Bellavista – La Palmera. Calle Ignacio Sánchez-Mejías, 61-63-65.
– Caseta Distritos Macarena – Macarena Norte. Calle Pascual Márquez, 85-87-89.
– Caseta Distritos Triana – Los Remedios. Calle Pascual Márquez, 153-155-157.
– Caseta Distritos Este – Cerro – Amate. Calle Pascual Márquez, 215-217-219.
– Caseta Distritos Nervión – San Pablo – Santa Justa. Calle Castillares, 22-24-26.
– Caseta UGT. Calle Antonio Bienvenida, 13
– Caseta Unión Sindical Obrera (USO). Calle Curro Romero, 25.
– Caseta CCOO Sevilla. Calle Pascual Márquez, 81.
– Caseta PP de Sevilla. Calle Pascual Márquez, 66.
– Caseta La Pecera. Calle Pascual Márquez, 9.
– Caseta Área de fiestas mayores. Calle Costillares, 13.
– Caseta popular (Caseta del Turista). Calle Pascual Márquez, 225.
– Caseta La Marimorena y Caseta El Garbanzo Negro calle Manolo Vázquez, 31 y 39 (LGTBI friendly y libres de violencias machistas).
Note
The ‘Caseta Popular’ is tailored for tourists and has multilingual staff, ensuring that everyone can partake in the joyous celebration. Reservations are always required.
As the week-long festivities of the Seville April Fair come to a close, we’re left with memories of tradition and joyous celebration. From the ceremonial lighting to the grand finale of fireworks, each day offered its own unique experience. As we bid farewell to another unforgettable year, let’s carry the spirit of the fair with us until we meet again. If you’re still craving more insights or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to ensure your Seville April Fair experience is nothing short of spectacular!
Thank you for reading: Your Daily Guide to the Seville April Fair (+ Map!)
Seville April Fair: Most Frequently Asked Questions
For a less crowded visit to the Seville April Fair, aim for Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday, being a public holiday in Seville, will draw more locals, making it busier. Fridays and Saturdays typically see larger crowds as visitors from nearby areas visit the fair. Plan your visit strategically to fully enjoy the lively atmosphere of this vibrant celebration.
The Seville April Fair typically attracts over a million visitors annually, creating a vibrant blend of locals and tourists immersed in its cultural festivities and lively ambiance.
The 2024 Portada of the Seville April Fair, themed ‘Costumbres de abril,’ pays tribute to the city’s rich heritage. Crafted by Italian artist Davide Gambini, it draws inspiration from the Mudejar Pavilion in Parque de María Luisa. The grand entrance, standing at 47 meters wide, 39 meters tall, and 6 meters deep, is adorned with intricate details illuminated by 25,000 bulbs. With 30,500 meters of tube and 3,700 square meters of wallpapering, it’s a breathtaking homage to Seville’s iconic architecture and cultural traditions.
Wondering what to try at the Seville April Fair? Don’t miss the iconic fried fish in paper cones and flavorful papas aliñás (potato salad). For lunch, each caseta serves up a delicious stew. Wash it down with a refreshing ‘rebujito’—a mix of manzanilla or fino and lemonade. Over a million and a half bottles of manzanilla are enjoyed during the festivities each year!
Sevillanas are the traditional dance of Seville’s Fair, originating from ancient compositions “seguidillas castellanas.” Sevillanas are a celebration of regional traditions, love, and Andalusian culture. Danced in pairs, they showcase intricate footwork and joyful movements, perfectly capturing the lively spirit of the festival.
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