July in Seville, despite the high temperatures, is synonymous with one of the summer’s major events: the Velá de Santa Ana, also known as the Velá de Triana. This year, the main days of the city’s oldest festival return to the banks of the Guadalquivir from July 21 to 26, 2026, although the schedule of events will begin on the 14th.
For the occasion, the neighborhood will regain its radiant summer atmosphere with a wide variety of activities. The program includes its popular “cucaña,” pottery markets, lectures, sports competitions, religious services, and concerts in the Plaza del Altozano.
Triana will be decked out with lights, lanterns, and the traditional festival booths on Calle Betis to once again host the Velá, an event whose origins date back to an ancient pilgrimage dedicated to the patron saints Santiago and Santa Ana (13th century), when King Alfonso X ordered the construction of a church consecrated to Santa Ana.
An important change to the schedule for 2026
One of the major new features of the 2026 edition directly impacts nightlife and the atmosphere in the festival grounds.
According to City Council guidelines, the stalls on Betis Street and the bars surrounding the Velá will be able to extend their hours and remain open until 4:00 a.m. Garbage collection is scheduled between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., thus ensuring that visitors can enjoy the festivities while also allowing for the neighborhood’s subsequent rest and cleanup.
Preliminary Program and Noches del Altozano 2026
Although the main events are concentrated from July 21 to 26, the neighborhood will start revving up a week earlier:
- On July 14, the photography exhibition “Triana and Its People: Portrait of a Neighborhood,” by Juan Romero Prieto, will open at the Las Columnas Civic Center.
- On July 15 and 16, the Colegio San Jacinto will host a traditional open-air theater festival.
- As is tradition, the Virgen del Carmen river procession from the Triana Bridge will take place on July 17.
- Discovery of a ceramic tile at the legendary Escalerilla del Tagüa and a petanque tournament on July 18.
- An aquathlon will be held on the river and in the Altozano area on July 19.
The grand official opening of the festival will take place on Tuesday, July 21, at 10:00 p.m. in the Plaza del Altozano.
The opening address will be delivered by Sevillian historian and public educator Jesús Pozuelo Díaz (who has announced that he will dedicate his remarks to his grandmother, Dolores). Following the address, at 12:00 a.m., the traditional lighting ceremony will take place.
Meanwhile, the magnificent poster for 2026 is the work of artist María Tapia, a design featuring a fan, the “cucaña,” and heartfelt nods to soccer and the neighborhood.
Concerts in the Plaza del Altozano
Live music will be the main attraction during the Velá’s evenings, with free daily performances starting at 10:00 p.m. at the Altozano:
- Tuesday, July 21: Opening ceremony, opening address, and lighting of the festival lights.
- Wednesday, July 22: Concert by Luitingo, featuring a special guest appearance by Charro de Triana.
- Thursday, July 23: Commemorative show “50 Years of Híspalis” performed by the legendary Cantores de Híspalis.
- Friday, July 24: A flamenco tribute dedicated to Nano de Jerez.
- Saturday, July 25: The flamenco and interdisciplinary show “Las Nietas de Santa Ana, ” an evening dedicated entirely to female talent, featuring Silvia Pantoja, Rocío Díaz, La Flaka, Pilar Astola, and Isabel Fayos as the host.
- Sunday, July 26: Awards Ceremony (Trianeros of the Year, Honorary Citizens, etc.), fireworks, and a grand finale featuring Los Alpresa.
Contests, sports, and the legendary “cucaña”
Sports and neighborhood tournaments will once again take place along the Guadalquivir River and at venues throughout the district:
- The Cucaña. The Velá’s most iconic and hilarious event will take place every afternoon from July 22 to 26, starting at 6:00 p.m., at the corner of Betis Street.
- Triana Night Regatta. A new edition of this spectacular sporting event will light up the harbor on the night of Wednesday, July 22, starting at 9:30 p.m.
- There will be traditional domino tournaments (Tuesday, July 21), a bullfighting exhibition in the San Jacinto pedestrian zone by the Tomás Campuzano Bullfighting School (Friday, July 24), and the traditional fishing contest (Sunday, July 26, at 8:30 a.m.).
There will also be the traditional awards for the best tavern owner and the prize for the best food stall, presented near the Paseo de la O and the Castle of San Jorge, ready to celebrate the authentic culinary traditions of a Sevillian summer.
