Feria de Abril, the spring fair of Sevilla, began in 1847 as an agriculture and livestock fair and has since become the biggest celebration in the South of Spain— with 492,924 attendees a day and nearly 4 million attendees every year. Although Sevilla hosts the largest feria, many cities throughout Andalucía have their own unique version.

La Portada is the huge gate that marks the main entrance to the Feria with a new design every year. This year’s portada, designed by César Ramírez, is titled «Embajadores de la cultura» or Ambassadors of Culture. It pays tribute to the 150th anniversary of Real Circulo Mercantil de Sevilla, a prestigious social club and cultural institution of Sevilla.

“El Alumbrao” is a spectacular light show that marks the beginning of Feria. At midnight, the whole city watches as over 200,000 lights in La Portada and throughout the fairgrounds are turned on. It’s customary to eat pescaito (fried fish) to celebrate the occasion.

The tents of the Feria are called casetas, and usually have red & white or green & white stripes.There are over one thousand of these party tents, serving drinks and tapas throughout the fairgrounds. Most of these are exclusive to friends and family of the owner, but there are public ones that belong to charities and political parties too.

Los farolillos are the thousands of colorful paper lanterns that line the fair and light up at night.

The ‘official’ drink of Feria is rebujito- Manzanilla or Fino (dry white wine/sherry) mixed with lemon & lime sodas such as 7UP, Kas, or La Casera, and lots of ice.

Calle del Infierno, is a bustling area of the fair with rides and attractions. This year will host 56 attractions for children, 63 rides for adults, and 7 taverns.Want more? There will also be a full circus, and a giant stage with 57 shows, 75 merchant shops, 30 ice cream kiosks, 28 cotton candy machines, 23 nougat stands, 7 chocolate shops, and 6 buñolerías (see Fact 9)!