Ferias de Andalucia

It's quite obvious that Spanish love to have fun and celebrate all important days during the year. In every region of Spain there are few "fiestas" worth to see. In Andalucia too. Last year I had chance for the first time to take part in Feria de Abril and it was quite amazing experience, especially for someone who love Spain and their traditions. Here my top events worth to see not only in Seville but in beautiful region of Andalucia. In this year you can still participate in three of them.

1. Feria de Abril de Sevilla (15.04 - 22.04.2018)

Feria de Abril is held in Seville, capital city of Andalucia region and it generally begins every year two weeks after the Semana Santa (Holy Week).

The fiesta officially begins at midnight on Monday, and run for six days, ending on the following Sunday. During past fairs, however, many activities have begun a little bit earlier on the Saturday prior to the official opening. Each day the fiesta begins with the parade of carriages and equestrians, at midday, carrying Seville's leading citizens which make their way to the bullring, La Real Maestranza, where the bullfighters and breeders meet. You can see at the streets women and girls in flamenco dresses and men and boys in traditional outfits. Whole families participate in this event.

For the duration of the fair, the fairgrounds and a vast area on the far bank of the Guadalquivir River are totally covered in rows of "casetas" private and public - individual marquee tents which are temporarily built on the fairground. These "casetas" usually belong to prominent families of Seville, groups of friends, clubs, trade associations but there are also few public "casetas" for all who don't have entrance to private one. Every day fiesta starts at nine at the afternoon and end until six or seven the following morning, at first in the streets and later only within each caseta, there are crowds partying and dancing sevillanas, drinking and eating tapas.

2. Semana Santa de Sevilla (25.03 - 01.04.2018)

Holy week in Seville is one of the city’s two biggest annual festivals. The second one is of course Feria de Abril, which starts two weeks later. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter, and features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of sorrowfull Mysteries of the Rosary, or images of the grieving Virgin Mary.

Some of the sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population. Semana Santa in Seville is a great experience not only for Catholics but for everyone who would like to know something about amazing Spanish traditions. It's really worth to see.

3. Carnival of Cadiz (28.02 - 10.03.2019)

Carnival of Cadiz or Los Carnavales is one of the best-known carnivals in Spain. The whole city participates in the carnival for almost two weeks each year. Carnival in Cadiz is well known for the satirical groups of performers called "chirigotas". They performed in theaters, on stages in the city or just at the streets. Almost everyone wears a costume, which many times, is related to the most polemical aspects of the news and political life of country, there is a lot of criticisms, sarcasm, and the irreverence of parody. During these days the most important are music and lyrics and of course fun!

4. Feria del Caballo - Jerez de La Frontera (5.05 - 12.05.2018)

Feria de Jerez or Feria del Caballo (Horse Fair) is one of the most important celebrations in Jerez de la Frontera (Provincia de Cadiz) only comparable to Easter religious celebrations.

One week feria is celebrated in Parque González Hontoria (Jerez de la Frontera) always celebrated in May, one week after Feria de Abril (Seville). When you came to feria you will find that there are two areas: one is similar to a small village, with streets that have bars and restaurants in tents at both sides, we call them "casetas" like in Seville. Second area is a Theme Park with carnival style where kids and grown ups can have fun on different rides such as roller coasters etc.

The main difference between Feria de Jerez and Feria de Abril is that all the "casetas" are public, so anyone can just walk into any one and enjoy the food, drinks, and dancing. But the most important thing is that you have chance to admire beautiful Andalusian horses and equestrians in traditional outfits. Jerez is not only famous about sherry and flamenco but mostly for The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.