How is Carnival celebrated in Spain? Origin and traditions Have you already worn your carnival costume this year? Not yet? Maybe this article will help inspire you. Today we talk about one of the most important festivals in Spain, Carnival. If you've ever wondered what it is
Have you already released your carnival costume this year? Not yet?
Maybe this article will help inspire you.
Today we talk about one of the most important festivals in Spain, the Carnival.
If you have ever wondered what carnival is and why carnival is celebrated in Spain, we are going to give you the answers!
You will learn what is the origin of carnivals, what are the most popular costumes and the most famous carnivals in Spain with their traditions.
Let the party begin! 🥳
First, we contextualize a little about the origin of carnival to better understand this festival.
In this section we are going to explain to you what is the origin of carnival, the traditions and the oldest carnival in Spain.
The carnival parties in Spain have to do with the Christian religion.
Although these parties already began to be held in Ancient Greece, with the bacchanal parties and the Dionysias, in which comic theatrical performances were held in the streets.
Also in the Roman Empire Similar celebrations were held: Saturnalia.
It was in the Middle Ages when it was given the name Carnival. In Latin: «Carnem Levare», means «remove the meat».
The celebration of the carnival took place a few days before the period of the Lent. Lent is the 40 days that precede Easter.
Lent was a time of fasting and sobriety. Christians could not eat meat or celebrate festivals, among other things.
For this reason, just before the carnival began, the carnival was celebrated to fully enjoy the food, the dancing and all the excesses that were permitted.
In order not to be recognized in the face of possible discrepancies, many people masks on the face or dressed up.
In other words, the origin of the costumes was so that people would not judge you the day after your enormous drunkenness during the holidays.
What a clever idea! 👌
Do you know that Italy was one of the pioneer countries in putting the masks during carnival?
You're probably familiar with the famous ones. Venice Carnivals. During these festivities, people from different social classes could mix and blend in equally, celebrating the holidays together.
¿When is carnival currently?
The date of the carnival in Spain remains the same as in the Middle Ages: 40 days before Easter.
These festivals follow the lunar calendar, so each year the days are different.
When are the carnivals this year?
The carnivals 2023 fall from February 16 to 21.
However, the carnival in Spain 2022 was from February 25 to March 1.
What day is carnival in Spain? As we just said, there really is not a single day of carnivals.
This party always lasts a week, from Thursday to Ash Wednesday.
If we had to choose a single day of carnival in Spain as the most important, in that case it would be the last day: Carnival Tuesday.
When is Shrove Tuesday in 2023? This year it falls on February 21.
Now you know when the carnivals are in Spain and their origins.
It's time for us to talk about the traditions carnival of Spain.
Carnivals are celebrated in the streets.
In some provinces they become spectacular parades with floats which include music and other shows.
If you are curious to know what the carnival songs in Spain most listened to, we mention some:
When it is carnival in Spain, people dress up and many events are organized. public festivals where revelry, dancing, fun and chaos are guaranteed.
When are the carnivals there are holidays? Unfortunately, generally not. This year 2023, carnival is a holiday in Spain only on February 21 in Extremadura.
Carnival celebrations in Spain have their own characteristics depending on the province or region in which they are held.
We mention some:
Do you want to know the details of these traditions?
You will discover them later when we talk about the famous carnivals in Spain. Keep reading!
The oldest carnival in Spain is celebrated in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca. It is the Bull Carnival.
A document of the year is preserved 1493 in which the bullfights during this party.
To this day, bullfighting festivities are still mixed with costume parties. A curious combination, don't you think?
Everyone's runs are done in the Plaza Mayor. It is very important to pay attention to the "Loose Clock" bell at the town hall, which warns when the bulls are in the streets.
Another special event at the Carnaval del Toro is the Running of the bulls. Expert horseback riders lead the bulls from the countryside to the city.
The big day of the costumes takes place at the Mirobrigense New Theater.
Here is done costume ball and prizes are distributed for the best carnival costumes.
Speaking of costumes, would you like to discover which are the most typical carnival costumes in Spain?
Let's find out!
At carnival, any theme is allowed to dress up.
Don't put limits on your imagination and surprise people with the most original costume.
Can't think of ideas? You and your friends can dress up as expert fighters in colorful video game outfits, like in the photo.
Surely no one messes with you...
Below, we give you more ideas. 😉
Children are a large part of the beneficiaries of the carnival. What child doesn't like to dress up?
If you have children, surely superhero costumes you are going to love: Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman…they are a classic and always work.
You can also choose to story characters like Princess Rapunzel, Aladdin or the genie of the lamp.
Do they seem very typical to you? You could base it on literary characters that are not so exploited in carnival.
Why not dress your child up as Don Quixote? 😁
There are also very funny costumes of things, like a pizza, a plant or a car.
The point is to dress up as something cool and let the kids have a blast.
If you are going out with your friends and you want to all dress up in the same outfit, we suggest some carnival costumes for groups that may catch your attention.
Once again, the stories They play a lot here.
You can dress up as Alice in Wonderland with the rabbits, or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
If you want something more adult You can play pharaohs, aliens, Vikings, scarecrows...
The professions They are also a good option: explorers, doctors, athletes, etc.
As we have explained previously, the masks at carnivals They were very important in the Middle Ages.
Nowadays people prefer to wear costumes instead of masks.
For this reason, we think that putting on a mask can be a great option to stand out during carnival week.
The classic carnival mask is the venetian mask.
You can find it in many types: elegant, quirky, colorful, subtle, mysterious...
If you prefer something more modern, you can also buy one themed mask superhero, clown, zombie or other popular characters.
The carnivals in Spain They are very celebrated. However, they are not celebrated with equal intensity in all provinces.
¿What is the best carnival in Spain?
It's difficult to answer that question. The carnival festival in Spain is very present in a lot of locations, and we cannot choose just one.
Therefore, let's see what are the best carnivals in Spain, plural.
This way you will know where to go if you are sightseeing in Spain during carnival week.
The Carnival of Cádiz in Spain has the recognition of Festival of International Tourist Interest.
This carnival is distinguished by its fun tone through the chirigotas and the comparsas.
The troupes are people in disguise who walk through the streets singing humorous songs.
The theme of these songs? They tend to be satires political, social or sports.
If you are looking for funny carnivals, you will undoubtedly laugh in Cádiz.
This festival is also lived with a lot of passion in Madrid.
When it is carnival week, the people of the capital take to the streets to celebrate and enjoy the parades, musical events and costume balls.
When carnival is celebrated in Madrid, the party usually begins with the reading of the proclamation in the Casa de la Villa.
Some of the key events of the Madrid carnival are:
And the closing of the festival could not be missed with the burial of the sardine. Don't you know what this is? Most carnivals in Spain end with this tradition.
If you wait until the end of the article, you will find out what it is. 🐟
When the carnivals are, in the Palms of Gran Canaria mounts a public stage in Santa Catalina Park.
The party is very similar to that of Tenerife.
In the capital of the Canary Islands, music concerts and other shows with different themes are held every year.
The theme for this year 2023 is “Study 54”.
When do the Gran Canaria carnivals start? They begin on February 10 and March 5 is when the carnival ends. Almost a month of parties!
There is no doubt that it is one of the most important carnivals in Spain.
As you can imagine, these holidays are very loved and celebrated for the canaries.
Furthermore, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the carnival pancakes.
This sweet delicacy made with eggs, bread, milk, honey and other ingredients is usually served for breakfast, snacks or desserts during the month-long festival.
Now you know where the best carnival sweets in Spain. 😋
The Tenerife Carnival in Spain is probably the most famous carnival in Spain.
Is it also one of the most famous carnivals in the world? We wouldn't be surprised.
Here they celebrate the carnival parades more spectacular with parties that resound throughout the island and original carnival floats.
Have you ever seen images of the impressive carnivals in Brazil? They throw tremendous parties, right?
Well, the Tenerife Carnival of the Canary Islands is the closest thing we have in our country.
All the people go out into the streets to celebrate and dance in costumes, creating a picturesque image of the city.
The most relevant moment of the celebration is the festival of Carnival Queens.
In this festival, the participants dress up with striking dresses and ornaments. Some can weigh up to 200 kilos!
After the gala, there is always a winner chosen by the jury.
If you want to see this show, but you can't go to Tenerife, you can do it on television or online.
The Vinaroz Carnival It is celebrated in the homonymous municipality of the province ofCastellon, in the Valencian Community.
This carnival lasts two weeks.
When does the Vinaroz Carnival start? This year's carnival 2023 begins on February 4 and ends on the 20th of this month.
During these holidays there is a festival called la Queens Gala, where the troupes exhibit their most spectacular costumes.
This year the gala was held on February 11 and was presented by 30 queens and one king.
The next day a similar party was held, but for the children.
On the weekend of the 18th to the 19th, there were also parades throughout the municipality with all the troupes, playing music and dancing.
The date of the carnivals 2023 in Barcelona takes place from February 16 to February 22.
Some of the most interesting elements in the Barcelona Carnival are:
Celebrate the arrival of the Carnival King, which connects all the important events during the holiday.
On the Rua, the colorful carnival parades unfold through the streets of Barcelona.
The Carnival King bids farewell to the carnival events with the Burial of the Sardine. You still don't understand what this is, right?
Be patient, we'll explain it to you right away!
The carnivals in Oviedo They receive their own name, Antroxu.
In Oviedo the carnival is usually celebrated on the weekend. Friday is for the children, who enjoy costume contests and other shows.
Adults take to the streets on Saturday. Typical carnival things are done, such as costume parades and shows that take place in the Cathedral Square.
Did you know that the antroxu is also a food plate?
It is served in the Carnival Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the day on which the holidays end and Lent begins.
This dish is a typical asturian pot whose ingredients are turnips, chorizo, blood sausage, pig's ear, lacón, ribs, snout, cabbage, potatoes and beans.
As you can see, the dish is very loaded. 😁
In addition, delicious French toast or sweet crepes are usually served for dessert.
If you want to try typical carnival food in Spain, this Asturian pot in Oviedo will captivate you.
The Laza Carnival It is, along with the Carnival of Verin and Xinzo de Limia, the most representative of Galicia.
In Galician it is called Entered, and it is the oldest in this autonomous community.
It is also one of the most spectacular carnivals in the entire country.
Some of the most emblematic moments are the following:
We are not fooling you, this party is totally true. 😂
The Carnival of Eagles It is considered another of the best carnivals in Spain.
Águilas is a municipality in the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia.
The one from Cádiz, the one from Tenerife and the one from Águilas are the three carnivals of international tourist interest.
This year it is a carnival that is celebrated during a whole month, from February 10 to March 10.
During this month there are all kinds of events: parades, floats, chirigotas, sporting events, concerts, costume balls...
But one of the most notable is the Release of the Mussona.
This mythological creature, half human and half animal, tries to scare all the town's citizens while they chase it and make it angry.
The Badajoz carnivals, in Extremadura, are considered by many experts to be the best carnival in Spain because of the Great parade of troupes.
And the whole city lives the festivities to the fullest and goes out to the streets to enjoy and dance.
¿How long does Carnival last? from Badajoz?
This year the programming begins on January 28 and ends on February 26.
For an entire month the entire city of Badajoz will be reverberating. 🥁
One of the most anticipated events is the Candle Festival.
In this event it burns marimanta (a doll that symbolizes the bad things of the year) and a great show of drums and other percussion instruments is performed.
In the Badajoz Carnival the murgas.
They are some theaters in which satirical works are mixed with music. They always have a lot of humor and a message of social denunciation.
The Tolosa Carnival is the most popular of Basque Country.
This municipality located in Guipuzcoa of almost twenty thousand inhabitants, truly feels the carnival spirit.
This year it is celebrated from February 16 to 26.
During these days several events stand out such as Fat Thursday, in which the «chupinazo» (rocket that marks the beginning of a party).
Very funny too Skinny Friday, in which a theatrical show is performed by the inhabitants of Tolosa themselves.
And keep an eye on Carnival Sunday. This day people will take to the streets in pajamas and with a disheveled appearance, as if they had just woken up.
We love that costume!
Of course there are also many parades, music and the mythical Burial of the Sardine, which as we have said before, when the carnival is celebrated in Spain it usually ends this way.
Others carnivals of the Valencian Communityvery interesting are those that take place in our beloved city, Valencia.
Ruzafa It is one of the most crowded and picturesque neighborhoods where the carnival is celebrated in this city.
This neighborhood is known for its modern tapas bars and clubs for partying.
You will surely love enjoying the parades, music, craft markets and costume contests in its beautiful streets.
For Valencians, the Valencia carnival is the prelude to the really important festival that takes place in March, the failures. 👏
This has been ours calendar carnivals in Spain.
Now you can get an idea of What is carnival like in Spain?.
It remains to be explained to you what is the burial of the sardine and we're done.
As we have mentioned before, the burial of the sardine It's the way to end these holidays in most of the different locations distributed throughout the country.
See if this tradition is popular, which is also celebrated in some Latin American countries, such as Venezuela.
It is a very parade burlesque and fun which takes place on the last day of Carnival.
It parodies a funeral walk. Who is the dead one? One huge sardine! Don't worry, it's just a doll.
At the end of the parade, the sardine is burned. This symbolizes the rid of all the bad and the start of a new cyclewith the arrival of spring.
Of course, this tradition has its different peculiarities in each region.
For example, in Murcia A large fault shaped like a sardine burns. In this community, this end of carnival celebration has the most weight.
Well, great article we wrote!
Now you have a lot of information about carnival and if you decide to visit Spain on these dates you already know the most interesting places to enjoy this party.
We recap everything you have learned in this article:
Remember that the official days throughout the country are always one week, from Thursday to Ash Wednesday. Although there are places where the party lasts longer.
Do you want to know more about this fantastic party? In Hispania, Spanish school, we do thematic classes when it is carnival week.
By the way, if you want to enjoy the carnival and the party in Spain to the fullest, you need learn spanish.
A good way to achieve this is with our face-to-face Spanish courses or ours online Spanish courses.
Have you ever experienced a carnival in any of the places mentioned in this article?
Which of the traditions that we have explained seemed most curious to you?
Comment and we'll chat. 😉
Article written by Charles Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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