History of the Seville April Fair: from 1847 to the present day

The The April Fair of Seville has its origins in a livestock fair founded in 1846. It has since evolved into a vibrant celebration of Andalusian culture, featuring traditional music, dance, food, and the iconic casetas (private tents) where revellers gather. It begins in 1847, when the city held a cattle fair in the Prado de San Sebastián at the proposal of two councillors, José María Ybarra and Narciso Bonaplata. That first edition lasted three days and had 19 marquees. Since 1973 the Fair has been held in the Real de Los Remedios, today with more than 1,000 marquees and six days of festivities.

Origins of the April Fair: a cattle fair in 1847

José María Ybarra, a Basque, and Narciso Bonaplata, a Catalan, were councillors on Seville City Council and Sevillians by adoption. They requested the reinstatement of the city's fairs, one in April and another in September, permission for which had been granted by Alfonso X the Wise in 1254. The City Council approved the proposal on 18 September 1846 and requested an annual fair in April from Queen Isabel II.

The first Fair was held on 18, 19 and 20 April 1847 at the Prado de San Sebastián; those dates were chosen so as not to coincide with the Mairena del Alcor fair. There were 19 marquees and a bullfight. According to the City Council, the success was such that the following year the livestock sales organisers asked for more police officers, because the public's singing and dancing were hindering the deals.

Over the years, the commercial aspect lost ground and the festive side gained ground. The full story, with more anecdotes, is on the page of origin and history of the Seville Town Hall Fair.

From the Prado de San Sebastián to the Real de Los Remedios

The Fair was held in the Prado de San Sebastián until 1972. Between 1896 and 1921, the entrance to the site was marked by the Pasarela, an iron structure; afterwards came the ephemeral gateways that are erected every year.

In that period there were also difficult years. In 1964 a fire burnt down 67 marquees and left more than 50 people injured and one dead; the marquees were rebuilt in a few hours and the Fair went on. According to the City Council, the Civil War suspended it from 1937 to 1939.

In 1973 the Fair moved to the Los Remedios neighbourhood, with space for more marquees. That first edition at the new fairground was held from 1 to 6 May according to the liturgical calendar, and the mayor Juan Fernández Rodríguez García del Busto inaugurated it at 21:00 on 30 April. The first sevillanas played there were sung by Naranjito de Triana, with José Cala «El Poeta» on the guitar.

Another date that the City Council remembers is 1990: for the first time in a century and a half there were no horses at the Fair, on account of African horse sickness.

Booths, gateway and streets: what the Real is like today

The 19 booths from 1847 are now more than 1,000. Almost all are private, belonging to families, groups of friends, brotherhoods, companies or associations, and entry is by invitation; there are also public booths, such as those of the municipal districts. What is eaten and drunk in them is what we cover in what to eat and drink at the Feria de Abril.

Every year a different entrance gate is erected, which is illuminated during the lights switch-on at midnight on the night of the *pescaíto*. The 2026 design was inspired by the Pavilion of Portugal from the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and the Charles V pavilion in the Real Alcázar, featuring more than 28,000 LED bulbs; we summarise what that edition was like in the April Fair 2026 guide.

The streets of the Real are named after bullfighters, such as Juan Belmonte, Joselito el Gallo, Costillares or Pascual Márquez. Next to the fairground is Calle del Infierno, the funfair area.

How the flamenco dress and sevillanas arrived

The flamenco dress originates from the ruffled percale housecoats worn by Romani women and female peasants at 19th-century livestock fairs. Women of the wealthy classes adopted it, and the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville established it as a regional costume. Since then it changes with fashion every season; we review what is worn today in how to dress for the Seville Fair.

Sevillanas are the dance of the marquees: they are danced in pairs, in four parts and with a three-four time. They are not the same as stage flamenco; we explain this in flamenco and sevillanas: what is the difference.

The April Fair and flamenco

Outside the marquee tents, singing, guitar playing and dancing flamencos have their own venues in Seville, ranging from peñas to tablaos. The flamenco is Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010.

Whether you visit Seville during the Feria or at any other time, Tablao Flamenco Las Setas, on the ground floor of Metropol Parasol, offers daily 60-minute shows without an intermission, featuring 8 artists on stage. You can check show times and prices.

Frequently asked questions about the history of the April Fair

Who created the Seville April Fair?

It was proposed by two councillors of Seville City Council, the Basque José María Ybarra and the Catalan Narciso Bonaplata. The City Council approved the idea on 18 September 1846, asked Queen Isabella II for authorisation and the first Fair was held from 18 to 20 April 1847 at the Prado de San Sebastián.

When did the Fair move to Los Remedios?

In 1973. Until 1972 the Fair was held in the Prado de San Sebastián. The first edition in the Real de Los Remedios was from 1 to 6 May 1973, and the mayor Juan Fernández Rodríguez García del Busto opened it on the night of 30 April.

Why is it called the April Fair if it's sometimes in May?

Because it was born in April: the first one was held from 18 to 20 April 1847. Its dates depend on the Holy Week calendar, and some years the Feria moves to May, as happened in 1973, the first year in Los Remedios.

Where does the flamenco dress come from?

From the ruffled percale dresses worn by Gypsy women and female peasants to the livestock fairs of the 19th century. Well-to-do women later adopted it, and the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in Seville established it as a regional costume. Since then it changes with fashion every season.