carnival

Move over Mardi Gras, celebrations in Catalonia kicks off with 'Dijous Gras'

Theme park expects to welcome over 5.3 million visitors in year marked by opening of new ride

Towns across the territory prepare for first festivities since Covid-19 while others postpone activities

90% of accommodation in seaside town booked out for Saturday, 26 February

With many restrictions still in place, here is a lowdown of all that is still possible this festive season

Extermination Parade in Sitges, communal 'Ranxo' in several towns, and mock funeral rituals across Catalonia

Tens of thousands turn out to celebrate annual festival that this year saw alcohol-free parades and candy in biodegradable wrappers

Seven-day celebration sees street parties and parades in cities, towns and villages across Catalonia

Seven days of decadence draw to an end on Wednesday with the mysteriously sombre ceremony coinciding with the beginning of Lent

Colorful, eccentric and joyous celebrations underway around Catalonia

The start of the celebrations also saw a food fight in the street in the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú

The second month of the year brings science, lights, love, Carnival and the Chinese New Year

The week-long celebration before Ash Wednesday kicked off in the seaside towns of Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sitges with a ‘meringue war’ and the arrival of the Carnival King

Just 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, Sitges draws in tourists every year for its nightlife, beaches, and also for its Carnival celebrations. Starting a week before Ash Wednesday, the city’s streets fill with tourists from all over as well as many commuting in from Barcelona by bus or train. This year, festivities began on the 30^th of January and lasted well into Ash Wednesday on the 10^th of February. Much like celebrations for Mardi Gras, Carnival marks the days leading up to the Lenten season with traditional music, games and royalty. Most of all, tourists arrive to watch a fleet of flashy parade floats and various dance and musical performances in the celebration’s traditional parades or ‘ruas.’ To add to the overall pageantry, groups of participants come dressed in anything from feathered masks to full-on costumes. 

Last night, the coastal town of Sitges located about 35 kilometres south of Barcelona, brought to a close its famous carnival. This event, known for its extravagance and huge number of visitors, is especially popular among the gay community. For a full week, the whole city is dedicated to the celebration of Carnival, dressing up and organising activities for both children and adults. Sunday and Tuesday’s parades filled Sitges’ streets with tens of thousands of visitors.No less than 1,000 police officers were mobilised for the event, as were fire fighters and health personnel. 38 extra trains and 45,000 additional seats were provided to help visitors attend the event. The Carnival finishes this Wednesday with the traditional ‘burial of the sardines’.