Los Carnavales - The Carnivals

Spain has some wonderful festivals and traditions and Los Carnavales (The Carnivals) are one of the most fun celebrations across the country. They normally take place the week before lent, so dates vary every year. 

This week is Carnival week in Spain and although most events and celebrations are not happening for obvious reasons this year, Los Carnavales is a festival worth being aware of for the future as streets fill with colour, music and contagious joy.

This celebration is all about humour, parody and costumes. It is celebrated across cities and towns in Spain and while each place has its own unique flavour of celebration, they all have something in common: to have a great time in the streets.

Carnivals in Cádiz (Andalusia), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, (Canary Islands) and Águilas (Murcia) have all been declared of International Tourist Interest.

Carnaval de Cádiz

Cádiz celebrates one of Spain’s biggest and best carnivals and everything is about humour and wit. Groups of troubadours in costumes flood the streets, playing musical instruments and singing. The songs tend to be satirical, making fun at politicians and other well-known figures. This carnival is all about light-hearted fun and not taking yourself too seriously!

Carnaval de Tenerife

Tenerife is one of the most important carnivals in the world. It's the most “Brazilian” of the Spanish Carnivals, where for 15 days the streets of Santa Cruz come to life with a general sense of freedom and extravagance. The parades are full of imagination, fantasy and spectacular costumes. A queen of the Carnival is elected at a competition where the candidates present their costumes which can weigh more than a hundred kilos!

Carnaval de Águilas

During the two weeks of the Aguilas Carnival, there are excellent parades, music and merriment. Some of the most striking elements of the fiesta include cascarones de confeti (eggs full of confetti, which are thrown during the celebrations) and cuerva, a traditional drink made out of whisky, vodka, gin, different wines and a combination of soda drinks!...

Who wouldn't dance on the streets all night long after drinking that?! 😂

If you´ve been to any of them or experienced The Carnivals anywhere else in Spain, hit reply and tell us about it. We'd love to know!

Feliz día,

Cristina