Cabalgata de Reyes Magos de Sevilla

Every January 5th, Seville's Cabalgata de Reyes Magos winds through the city centre with 33 floats and around 100,000 kg of sweets tossed from them. Organised by the Ateneo since 1918, it is one of the oldest in Spain. Entry is free and open to all; the parade lasts about six hours.
From 1918 to the Guadalquivir
The Ateneo de Sevilla has organised this parade without interruption since 5 January 1918, making it one of the oldest in Spain and the longest-running in Andalusia. Worth clearing up a common myth: it is not the oldest in the country — that title belongs to Alcoy, which has run continuously since 1885. That first edition set off from the Teatro San Fernando, then on Calle Lombardos (now Muñoz Olivé), with ox-drawn carts loaded with toys and sweets donated by Sevillians: more than 470 boxes of confectionery and 1,811 bags of sweets. The three original Kings were members of the Ateneo itself. Another point worth noting: Seville's river is the Guadalquivir, not the Nervión (that one flows through Bilbao), and the Kings do not officially arrive by boat as part of the parade, even if some tourist cruises market it that way.
Route and timings
The date never changes: January 5th, with the procession departing around 16:00–16:15 from the old Fábrica de Tabacos (University of Seville, Calle Palos de la Frontera). The cortège takes about six hours to complete the route, so the last King does not pass until close to 22:00. The parade cuts through the historic centre (Avenida del Cid, Ronda de Capuchinos, Feria, Plaza del Duque, La Campana), crosses the Puente de Isabel II into Triana (Altozano, San Jacinto), and finishes in Los Remedios and Paseo de las Delicias before looping back to the start. Important note: the route changes slightly each year and can be moved to January 4th in bad weather (as happened in 2025). Always confirm the date and route at cabalgatasevilla.es, which also offers live GPS tracking on the day.
Where to stand
Plaza de la Campana is the most central and lively spot, but also the most packed — get there at least 90 minutes early if that is your choice. To see the floats without the crush, stick to the wider stretches: Avenida del Cid near the start, the Feria/Macarena area (where the parade arrives earlier and with thinner crowds), the Puente de Isabel II to catch the crossing into Triana, or the quieter final stretch along Paseo de las Delicias and Avenida de Roma. With young children, the broad pavements of Avenida del Cid and Los Remedios are the safest bet. If you want a local feel with none of the mayhem, the neighbourhood parades in Triana, Nervión and Macarena run on the 4th and 5th with their own schedules. From 2026, a quiet section for children with ASD and a dedicated accessible space were introduced.
Practical tips
Arrive early at your chosen spot: allow an hour to 90 minutes in the central sections, less on the open stretches. Leave the car at home — traffic restrictions cover the entire centre and parking is a nightmare. Tussam runs free urban buses (except the EA airport line) from 15:00 onwards with extra services; the metro drops you at Nervión, San Bernardo or Blas Infante to sidestep the busiest sections. Bring large bags for collecting sweets: some 100,000 kg are handed out, thrown from the floats by the Kings (the Ateneo uses soft and fruit sweets to avoid injuries). Six hours is a long time — pack water, a snack and warm layers, because January nights in Seville get cold. One basic safety rule: keep children away from moving floats and do not dive into the crowd to grab sweets off the ground.
Frequently asked questions
When is Seville's Cabalgata de Reyes and how long does it last?
Is there an admission charge?
What is the best place to watch it?
How do I get there without a car?
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, Andelaria may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Transparency & affiliate policy
Book tickets and tours: Cabalgata de Reyes Magos de SevillaPlan your trip
Book the essentials for your trip to Sevilla.
Other places in Sevilla
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
alcazarThe oldest inhabited royal palace in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Mudéjar architecture, the tiled Patio de las Doncellas and gardens of fountains and labyrinths make it Seville's essential visit. A filming location for Game of Thrones, it breathes Almohad and Christian history in equal measure.
Catedral de Sevilla y La Giralda
catedralThe largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church by floor area, built on the site of the former Almohad mosque. La Giralda, its 97-metre bell tower, is Seville's undisputed symbol. Inside lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The ticket includes access to the tower, which has no steps — only ramps.
Plaza de España
plazaA monumental neo-Renaissance and neo-Moorish semicircle built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in the Parque de María Luisa. Its 48 tiled benches represent every Spanish province. The central canal invites boat rides, and its bridges and north and south towers make for perfect photographs at sunrise.
Barrio de Santa Cruz
barrioThe medieval Jewish quarter of whitewashed alleyways, flower-filled courtyards and squares shaded by orange trees. Nestled beside the Alcázar and the Cathedral, it is the romantic heart of Seville. Wandering streets like Agua or Vida, discovering the Hospital de los Venerables and sitting in the Plaza de Doña Elvira are experiences that capture the very soul of the city.
Torre del Oro
torreA 13th-century Almohad watchtower on the banks of the Guadalquivir, one of Seville's great defensive symbols. Its name comes from the golden tiles that once covered it. It houses the Naval Museum, with historical maps and objects from the American expeditions. The view from Puente de Triana at sunset is breathtaking.
Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
museoThe largest wooden structure in the world, designed by Jürgen Mayer H. and inaugurated in 2011 in the Plaza de la Encarnación. Its elevated walkways offer the best panoramic views of Seville. At ground level it houses the Antiquarium, with Roman and Arab archaeological remains from the 1st century. Not to be missed at sunset.
Semana Santa de Sevilla
fiestaSeville's Holy Week is free and open to all: you only pay for seats and grandstands along the Official Route. In 2026 it runs from 29 March to 5 April, with the eve celebrations on the 27th. Its peak is La Madrugá, when five major brotherhoods process from 1:00 a.m. until noon.
Feria de Abril de Sevilla
fiestaTwo weeks after Easter, Sevilla sets up its Real in Los Remedios: around 1,059 casetas (up to ~1,250 plots with the expansion), flamenco dresses, horses and sevillanas. Entry is free, but most are private and only accessible with an invitation from a member. Only around 14–16 are open to the public.
Velá de Santiago y Santa Ana
fiestaSeville's oldest festival, with more than 750 years of history, doesn't take place in the city centre — it happens in Triana. The Velá de Santa Ana falls in the last week of July, around the 26th: free casetas along the Guadalquivir, the cucaña grease-pole contest over the river, and not a flamenco dress or equestrian parade in sight.
Similar places in other cities
Festival de los Patios Cordobeses
CórdobaEvery first half of May, Córdoba opens around 53 privately owned competition courtyards for free — plus a dozen institutional spaces: geraniums, bougainvillea, and recycled terracotta pots in living, inhabited patios. UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2012, with an official competition running since 1921. Free entry, no booking required, split daily hours.
Semana Santa de Córdoba
CórdobaCórdoba's Semana Santa is free and open to all, with processions moving through the medieval Jewish quarter from dawn into the early morning hours. Its defining feature in Spain: since 2017, the Carrera Oficial passes through the interior of the Mezquita-Catedral, a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Thirty-nine of the 42 brotherhoods take part. The festival holds National Tourist Interest status.
Noche Blanca del Flamenco de Córdoba
CórdobaOne June night, Córdoba scatters free flamenco across its historic old town. The Noche Blanca del Flamenco falls on the summer solstice (20–21 June) and sets up around ten simultaneous stages, running from 22:30 until 5:00 in the morning. No ticket, no booking: you walk in, listen, and drift from square to square.