Carnival in Spain
Come to Spain and enjoy carnival, an exhilarating festival celebrated in many places all over the country. Carnival is usually held in February or March, with the dates depending on the year, although some places even hold them earlier. The festival is noted for humour, parodies and costumes in the streets of Spanish towns and cities, which all have their own traditions.Here are six examples of original, beautiful and spectacular Spanish carnivals that have been declared Festivals of International Tourist Interest. Start thinking about your costume and book a flight to Spain.
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Carnival in Cadiz
Cadiz, in Andalusia, is the carnival of “comparsas”, “coros” and “chirigotas”: songs full of irony and criticism that are written by the different groups who participate in the fiesta. Explore the centre of town and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of unbridled freedom and fun.
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Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
One of the world's biggest carnivals awaits you in the capital of the island of Tenerife. Join in the parades and be amazed by the imaginative, fancy and eye-catching costumes of the Carnival Queen hopefuls. Lose yourself in the music, rhythm and joy of this celebration with people from all over the planet.
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Carnival in Águilas
Another of the most famous carnivals is Águilas (Murcia). This festival is full of colour and features a multitude of parades and competitions in which the spectacular costumes take centre stage. Two of its traditions are particularly famous. the throwing of cascarones (eggs stuffed with confetti), and drinking “cuerva”, a drink many describe as a “magic potion” that awakens the carnival spirit.
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Entroido of Xinzo de Limia
This Galician festival has the longest carnival programme in Spain. It begins on Fareleiro Sunday (three weeks before Carnival Sunday) and ends on Piñata Sunday. The parade of floats and troupes is led by a group of traditional masked characters called “pantallas” who wear belts with bells on them. They are responsible for making sure people dress up, and they are the top stars of this celebration. Carnival Tuesday is the most important day.
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Carnival in Badajoz
Dozens of carnival bands, known as comparsas, and thousands of people take part in the great Carnival Sunday Comparsas Parade. The festivities also include the Murgas musical competition and the Burial of the Sardine.
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Festivities during Carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The city is flooded with people, colour and fun during these festivities, which have been taking place since 1574. Highlights include the Great Parade, which attracts tens of thousands of people and stretches more than seven kilometres, and the Gala of the Carnival Queen, in which the competitors wear stunning costumes of feathers and rhinestones. The Drag Queen Gala is another highlight.
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All over Spain
But these aren't the only major carnivals held in Spain. There are others in many other locations, and they are always full of originality and joy. At Verín Carnival (Galicia) highlights include the “fariñadas” (flour fights) and the strange masked figure of Cigarrón. We can recommend several other carnivals of national tourist interest, including Villarrobledo, La Bañeza, Ciudad Rodrigo (Toro Carnival), Miguelturra, Alcázar de San Juan (Carnavalcázar), Cebreros, Herencia and La Vijanera in Cantabria. Which one will you choose?
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