Two weeks after Semana Santa (Easter) every year the people of Sevilla throw an enormous week long party to forget the sorrow of Easter and welcome in the coming spring. The Feria de Sevilla originally began life as a cattle-trading fair in 1847, but over the years it has evolved into a week long fiesta celebrating the music, culture and the enthusiasm of the fun loving Sevillanos.
Located near the River Guadalquivir on a large piece of land that is over a mile long, hundreds of casetas (marques) are erected that are made up of brightly coloured canvas and are festooned with paper lanterns. Some of the casetas are strictly by invitation only as they are privately owned by the local aristocracy, politicians and trade unions. However, expect to find lots of them that are open to the public, where inside there will be plenty of drinking and dancing from around 9pm to 7am the following morning! Each caseta has its own special quirks and atmosphere, with one even having beds in the back if you have indulged too much!
During the daytime there are many different events to see. You can watch the horse parades and also the beautifully decorated carriages that wind their way around the fair and city centre. If you enjoy the thrill of a fun fair then you will not be disappointed as there is an enormous selection of rides for children and adults.
The Sevillanos come out in force for this feria, with the women wearing the latest gypsy inspired flamenco dresses in an amazing array of bright colours and the men supporting the traditional costumes. They definitely know how to party and you would be hard pressed to match their stamina, but part of the fun is trying to keep up with them. You will certainly meet some friends along the way, as the locals are without doubt friendly and fun loving people.
If you get the chance then this feria is definitely one to come and see. It has an international feel attracting visitors from all around the world wanting to take part in this wonderful party.
Jerez de la Frontera Horse Fair
7th to 13th May 2012
Wine, flamenco music and horses all happen at one of Jerez's most representative fiestas, the Horse Fair.
For the whole week, the Fair Ground fills with light and colour, carriages, men and women riders, glasses of wine, song and dance, and hundreds of tents that open their doors for you to enjoy Jerez´s most traditional Fair.
You will see the most beautiful Andalusian horses parade along the Paseo de Caballistas y Enganches (Carriage and Riders' Avenue). It is a unique display of elegance and majesty that provokes admiration in all those who visit it.
Jerez puts on its finery with stunning lights and tents that compete with each other in beauty and typical Andalusian style.
In the tents you will find plenty of Jerez's golden wine (sherry), accompanying the varied home-style gastronomy that centres on “berzas”, “calditos”, "potajes" and "tapas".
Andalucian Horse Dance Show
2012
The show "How Andalusian horses dance" is an equestrian ballet set to typically Spanish music and performed in 18th-century costumes. The choreographies are taken from reprises used in classical and country dressage, and from other works of traditional horsemanship.
There are between six and eight choreographies in each show, the following is taken direct from their website:-
Tuesdays (from 1nd March to 27th December), Thursdays, Fridays (only Fridays in August), Wednesday 11th May (Wednesday during the Horse Fair) and Friday 13th May (Friday during the Horse Fair) at 12.00 hours.
Saturdays at 12.00 hours the following dates: 29th January, 26th February, 26th March, 23rd April, 28st May, 18th June, 23th July, 13th August, 10th September, 29th October, 12th November and 10th December.
Ticket office timetable: From 09.30 to 11.45 hours.
You might be wise to ring them when you are in Spain and check whether the show is on for the day you want to go.
Takes place in Jerez de la Frontera - www.realescuela.org
Festival of the Grape Harvest
From September 9th to September 16th 2012 the people of Jerez de la Frontera celebrate the
grape harvest.
The festival starts with the pisa which is the squahing of the grapes with the feet. This year the dediaction is to the Sherry Bodegas. This is blessed at the Cathederal before the celebrations really begin.
Flamenco, horse dispalys and bullfighting all take their place which culminates in a firework display.