Carnival in Spain – 47 Days Before Easter
Carnival (Carnaval) is a festive season of colourful parades, elaborate costumes and street parties celebrated in many Spanish regions, culminating on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), 47 days before Easter.
Iconic Carnival Celebrations
- Cádiz Carnival: Famed for satirical chirigotas (musical satire groups), spontaneous street performances and confetti showers.
- Tenerife Carnival: One of the world’s largest, featuring grand queens’ galas, flamboyant floats and fireworks on Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s waterfront.
- Águilas & Sitges: Known for water-spraying battles in Águilas and glamorous masked balls in Sitges near Barcelona.
Costumes & Cultural Traditions
Participants don imaginative costumes—from classical figures and historical homage to modern pop-culture themes. Costume workshops open weeks in advance, and children learn traditional dances like the pasacalles through school programmes.
Street Food & Festive Flavours
- Fried Dough Treats: Buñuelos and pestiños, drizzled with honey or dusted in sugar.
- Churros & Chocolate: Stand-mounted churrerías serve freshly made churros with rich hot chocolate.
- Local Wines: Sparkling cavas in Catalonia and robust Manzanilla in Cádiz accompany the revelry.
Visitor & Planning Tips
- Choose Your Carnival: Decide between Cádiz’s humour-driven nights or Tenerife’s grand spectacle based on your interests.
- Book Early: Hotels fill fast—secure accommodation at least three months ahead.
- Pack for Mess: Confetti and water battles are common—bring casual clothes and waterproof layers.
- Join the Community: Many towns welcome visitors to register with a local comparsa (troupe) for an immersive experience.
From the irreverent wit of Cádiz to the dazzling pageantry of Tenerife, Carnival in Spain is a kaleidoscope of music, colour and communal joy—an unmissable pre-Lenten celebration that captures the heart of Spanish festivity.