Historian Jesús Pozuelo will be the announcer of the Velá de Santiago and Santa Ana 2026, the Major Festival of Seville, which begins this Tuesday, July 21. The City Council is deploying a special device with extended hours and traffic restrictions.
The Velá de Santiago and Santa Ana, known as the "señalaitos" days of Triana, kicks off this Tuesday, July 21, with the proclamation by historian Jesús Pozuelo at Altozano. The Major Festival of Seville will last until Sunday, the 26th, the feast of Santa Ana, with a programme that this year includes an expanded cultural offering resulting from the joint work between the organising committee and the Triana District.
The official opening ceremony will take place at 21:00 in the Plaza del Altozano, where Pozuelo will deliver the proclamation that marks the start of six days of celebrations. The historian, a native of the neighbourhood, is known for his research on the history of Triana and will be responsible for kicking off an edition that promises to be especially participative.
Cultural programme and 2026 updates
Among this year's new features is the salon bullfighting exhibition organised by the Tomás Campuzano Bullfighting School, which will take place on Wednesday the 26th at 10:00 on San Jacinto Street. This activity adds to the traditional lectures, round tables, and exhibitions that address the history, traditions, and emblematic figures of the neighbourhood.
The Cucaña, one of the most anticipated contests, will take place daily from 18:00 to 21:00 at the base of Betis Street. Participants will compete for the prize in a tradition that proudly represents the people of Triana and attracts visitors from all over the city.
Booth hours and safety
The authorised hours for the booths will be between 20:00 and 3:00, except on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (July 23, 24, and 25) when it extends until 4:00. It is mandatory to cease sales of drinks and music half an hour before closing, ensuring that activities conclude at the designated times.
The Local Police and Firefighters have been supervising the installation of booths and other elements related to the Velá since last week. The special device will be officially inaugurated this Tuesday and will ensure the safety of attendees throughout the celebration.
Mobility plan and traffic restrictions
The Special Mobility Plan in its Phase II will be activated between 17:00 hours on July 21 and 6:00 on July 27, with particular impact due to the works on Castilla Street. During this period, traffic directions will be modified on key roads in Triana, such as San Jorge and Antillano Campos towards Pagés del Corro.
Betis Street and Plaza del Altozano will be restricted to traffic, with access limited during specific time slots for accredited residents, loading and unloading vehicles, and authorised users. Alfarería Street from Procurador will be accessible only for residents, taxis, VTCs, and motorcycles.
Regular traffic cuts will occur on strategic streets, including Betis, Plaza del Altozano, Isabel II Bridge, Alfarería, Torrijos, Duarte, and Luis de Cuadra. Turns from Paseo Colón and Arjona Street towards the bridge will be prohibited during the cuts. Additionally, alternating loading and unloading parking zones will be established, as well as pedestrian areas for attendees of the Velá.
Public transport and taxis
Two new temporary taxi stops will be maintained on Pagés del Corro (22:00 to 6:00) and the traditional stop on Arjona Street next to the Isabel II Bridge. During the entire celebration, the circulation of scooters and bicycles in pedestrian areas is prohibited, as well as the use of rental electric bicycles without anchoring points on Betis Street.
Tussam will maintain the special device for the lines serving the neighbourhood, such as the transverse lines 5 and 6, Circular C1, C2, C3, and C4, and radial lines 40 and 43. Line 43 will continue its current route, subject to the works on Castilla Street.
Cleaning device and waste management
Lipasam will launch a device with 82 workers, including inspection services, and 38 vehicles to meet the needs of the Velá. Selective waste collection will be reinforced, providing specific containers for glass, paper, cardboard, packaging, and used oil, including door-to-door collection in morning and afternoon hours.
A new space for the rest fraction will be available, located in a small booth next to the old Local Police Station, optimising collection and better managing uncivil waste. Additionally, additional recycling points will be installed at strategic points in the neighbourhood.
The Velá will conclude on Sunday the 26th at 22:00 in the Plaza del Altozano with the institutional closing ceremony, where recognitions will be awarded to individuals and prominent entities, such as the Trianeros de Honor and Trianeros del Año. The festival will bid farewell with a fireworks display at midnight, a spectacle that will light up the sky of Triana and provide a grand finale to six days of celebrations.
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