Alfonso X carried out the policy of granting a cattle fair to the cities he occupied, to help activate the local economy.

In the case of Jerez, the cattle fair was established in the second half of the thirteenth century, specifically some historians point to 1264, shortly after the definitive Castilian conquest of the city.

The fair of Jerez since its origins is celebrated around the horse, still maintaining the contests of hooks and coachmen, activities of harassment and demolition with brave bulls, morphological contests of horses and other activities related to the equine world.

The other is a Theme Park/carnival style area where kids and adults can have fun on different rides such as roller coasters, bumper cars etc... At the Feria de Jerez all the casetas are public, so anyone can walk into any one and enjoy the food, drinks, and dancing.

This is one of the main features that differentiates it from the Seville Fair as most of the "casetas" there are private and therefore only card holding members are allowed in, except horses.