When is the Seville April Fair 2023?
📅 Key dates:
The Seville April Fair 2023 was held from Sunday 23 April to Saturday 29 April, although tradition dictates that the festival begins with the "fried fish dinner" the night before, on Saturday 22 April.
The most anticipated moment is the "Alumbrao", which took place at 00:00 on Sunday 23 April, when thousands of light bulbs illuminated the gateway and the streets of the Real de la Feria, giving the starting signal for a week of non‑stop joy, music and tradition.
The festival concluded on Saturday 29 April with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight, visible from the Muelle de las Delicias and other points near the river.
What is the origin of the Seville April Fair?
📜 History and Origin: From a Cattle Fair to a Universal Celebration
The history of the Seville April Fair is as fascinating as the festival itself. Its origins date back to 1846, when two councillors of the Seville City Council, José María de Ybarra (Basque) and Narciso Bonaplata (Catalan), proposed the creation of an annual cattle fair to boost the local economy.
Queen Isabella II approved the initiative, and on 18 April 1847 the first edition was held at the Prado de San Sebastián. That fair lasted only three days, had just 19 stalls that looked like stables, and attracted around 25,000 visitors.
Over the years, the commercial character gradually gave way to a festive spirit. Families began to set up stalls for gatherings, adorned horses took to the streets and traditional attire became the norm. In 1973, the growth of the event forced it to be moved to its current location in the Los Remedios district, where it now occupies more than 275,000 square metres.
🏛️ Where is the Seville April Fair 2023 held?: The Real de la Feria
The fairground is divided into two main areas:
- The Real: It is the heart of the Seville April Fair, where the more than 1,000 stalls are located, spread across 15 streets named after legendary bullfighters: Juan Belmonte, Joselito El Gallo, Curro Romero, Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, among others.
- Calle del Infierno (also called de los Pecadores): This is the fairground area, where the little ones enjoy Ferris wheels, bumper cars and all kinds of fun.
🎭 What to wear at the Seville April Fair: Outfits and Accessories
👗 For Women: The Flamenco Dress
The flamenco dress is the undisputed symbol of the Fair. Its origin dates back to the work aprons worn by peasant and gypsy women who attended the cattle fair in the 19th century. Over time, the upper classes adopted this attire, and the Ibero‑American Exposition of 1929 consecrated it as the official dress of the Fair.
Main characteristics:
- Fitted dress with ruffles on the skirt (and often on the sleeves)
- Polka dot print, although plain ones also exist
- Vivid colours: red, white, black, fuchsia, green, and earth tones are very present in 2023
Essential accessories:
- Flower in the hair: usually a carnation, placed high on the head or to one side
- Manila shawl: placed over the shoulders or adapted as a neckline
- Large earrings: XL hoop or filigree
- Fan: both for aesthetics and for practicality against the heat
- Heeled shoes: although espadrilles are also a comfortable and elegant option
👔 For Men:
The Short Suit
- The short suit has its origin in the workwear of peasants and cattle ranchers. Today it is the quintessential male attire at the Fair.
Elements that make it up:
- Short Andalusian jacket or guayabera
- Scarf worn as a waistband
- Ankle boots with white socks
- Córdoba wide‑brimmed hat (optional, very popular among horse riders)
The "Decálogo del Sí" of Seville tailors advises sober colours such as grey, brown or dark green, and forbids ties, scarves, sunglasses or black clothing.
🏠 The Casetas: The Heart of the Festival at the Seville April Fair
Private vs. Public Casetas
Of the more than 1,000 stalls installed each year, the vast majority are private, belonging to families, groups of friends, companies, clubs or brotherhoods. Access to them is restricted to members and guests.
If you don’t have a "friend with a caseta", don’t worry. There are public stalls where everyone is welcome. In 2023, these were the main ones:
- Distrito Casco AntiguoCalle Antonio Bienvenida, 97-98-101
- Distrito Triana-Los RemediosCalle Pascual Márquez, 153-155-157
- Distrito Macarena-NorteCalle Pascual Márquez, 85-87-89
- Distrito Sur-Bellavista-La PalmeraCalle Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, 61-63-65
- Distrito Este-Cerro-AmateCalle Pascual Márquez, 215-217-219
- Distrito Nervión-San Pablo-Santa JustaCalle Costillares, 22-24-26
- Caseta TurísticaCalle Pascual Márquez, 225-227-229
- Partido PopularCalle Pascual Márquez, 66
- PSOECalle Antonio Bienvenida, 79
- CCOOCalle Pascual Márquez, 81
- UGTCalle Antonio Bienvenida, 13
- La Marimorena (ONG AcciónenRed)Calle Manolo Vázquez, 31
What are the opening hours of the stalls at the Seville April Fair 2023?
The stalls at the Seville April Fair 2023 usually open from around 12:00 or 13:00 and close around 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, although private ones may continue later if the atmosphere allows.
The "daytime fair" is ideal for families and for seeing the horses; the "nighttime fair" begins around 21:00 and goes on until the early hours.
🍤 Gastronomy of the Seville April Fair
- ia de Abril de Sevilla: The Flavour of the FairFood and drink take centre stage during these days.
🐟 Fried Fish
- The night of the fried fish, the eve of the Alumbrao, it is traditional to have fried fish for dinner in the stalls: squid, sole, anchovies, cuttlefish, marinated fish... All straight out of the fryer, crispy and tasty.
🍷 Rebujito: The Star Drink
- Rebujito is the quintessential Fair drink. It is made by mixing fino or manzanilla sherry with a lemon‑lime soft drink (Sprite or Seven Up), plenty of ice and a sprig of mint. It is refreshing, light and highly addictive. Be careful with its alcohol content!
🍽️ Other Typical DishesIberian ham and cheeses
- Serranitos (serrano ham sandwich)
- Churros with hot chocolate: the perfect breakfast or "pick‑me‑up" at dawn
🍩 The Gipsies’ FrittersAt dawn, there is a must‑stop: the "patio de los gitanos", where the best fritters at the Fair are fried. A tradition that has been kept alive generation after generation, with a closely guarded recipe.
🐎 Horses, Carriages and Equestrian Fashion at the Seville April Fair 2023
Horses are an essential part of the Seville April Fair, especially during the day. Riders show off their finest attire: short suit, Córdoba hat and silver saddle. Female riders wear short suits or flamenco dresses adapted for riding.
Horse rides and decorated carriages parade through the streets of the Real from midday until 20:00, when the horses must leave the grounds.
🎶 Sevillanas: Music and Dance
Throughout the Seville April Fair, the sound of sevillanas fills the stalls. This flamenco style is the official dance of the festival, and it is learned from a young age. You don’t need to be an expert to join in; locals happily welcome those who want to learn a few steps.
⏰ Schedules and Tips for Enjoying the Seville April Fair 2023MomentTimeAtmosphere
Daytime fair
- Family atmosphere, horse rides, ideal for children
Evening/Night fair
- Festive atmosphere, sevillanas, rebujito
The Alumbrao
- 00:00 (Saturday to Sunday)
- Official opening, collective excitement
Practical tips
- Transport: Do not try to go to the Real by car. It is best to use the shuttle buses that leave from the Prado de San Sebastián or the metro (Blas Infante stop).
- Comfortable footwear: You will be walking for hours on sandy ground. Choose your shoes carefully.
- Stay hydrated: Between the rebujito, the heat and the dancing, also drink water.
Don’t obsess over the stalls: If you don’t have an invitation, enjoy the public stalls, stroll through the streets, admire the horses and dance in the street. The Fair is lived everywhere.
🏆 Bullfighting at the Seville April Fair: 2023 Bills
The Seville April Fair is inseparable from the Real Maestranza de Caballería. The 2023 bullfighting bills were top‑tier, with figures such as Morante de la Puebla, El Juli, Roca Rey, José María Manzanares and Alejandro Talavante.
The bullfights began on Easter Sunday (9 April) and ran until 1 May, with more than 20 events including bullfights, novice bullfights and rejoneo.
🆚 Difference with the Sanlúcar de Barrameda April Fair
Although they share the name and tradition, the fairs of Seville and Sanlúcar have very different personalities:
Seville April Fair
Dates
Setting
- Real de los Remedios, ephemeral city
Atmosphere
- Cosmopolitan, massive, with a strong presence of international tourism
Gastronomy
- Rebujito, fried fish, ham
Main attraction
- The Real, the stalls, the horses
Connection
Sanlúcar April Fair
Dates
- Late May (coinciding with the Sanlúcar horse races)
Setting
- Fairground next to the Guadalquivir River, with views of the Doñana National Park
Atmosphere
- More family‑oriented, with a local flavour and a strong seafaring tradition
Gastronomy
- Sanlúcar prawns, manzanilla, shrimp fritters
Main attraction
- The beach horse races, declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest
Connection
- Wine and fishing origin, linked to the manzanilla wineries
Sanlúcar has the honour of hosting Spain’s oldest horse race on the beach, which coincides with its fair, while Seville’s fair is essentially an event of stalls and strolling.
🏡 THE SUN PLACES: Your Luxury Retreat in Seville
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that experiencing the Seville April Fair is an intense experience that deserves accommodation to match. That is why we offer you our Luxury Apartments in Seville, the perfect retreat to enjoy the festival in maximum comfort.
🌟 Why stay with us?
- Strategic Location: Our apartments are located in the historic centre, a short distance from the Real de la Feria and the main points of interest.
- Absolute Comfort: Enjoy spacious areas, equipped kitchens, high‑quality beds and private terraces to rest after long days of celebration.
- Specialised Concierge: Our local team will help you with recommendations on the best public stalls, timetables and how to get around the Real.
- The Perfect Retreat: After dancing sevillanas until dawn, return to a space of tranquillity and elegance to recharge.
"The Seville April Fair is much more than a festival: it is the most authentic expression of Sevillian joy. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors of our city for you to experience it with the luxury and comfort you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES to book your luxury apartment in Seville. The Fair, the light and the joy await you.