FESTIVAL

Carnival of Cádiz

Although now six centuries old, it is still new and fresh each year. February is here and that means its Carnival time in Cádiz when the city becomes the stage and its citizens take on the leading roles.

The locals have been waiting all year for this month to arrive so they can put on their fancy dress and go out and enjoy themselves. Celebrations take place all over the city, but the party atmosphere is most intense in the neighbourhoods in the historical old town, particularly La Viña, where you can really feel the true spirit of the Carnival of Cádiz. It is an experience not to be missed.

Parades, performances, food and drink…it is difficult to define carnival, particularly in Cádiz. Although the festivities officially take place from 12-21February, these dates are slightly misleading since, in reality, carnival fever has been building up  when the Falla competition began. Nor do the popular street celebrations really finish on the dates given.

Although the fireworks display at the castle on Sunday 21th (domingo de piñata) officially marks the end of this year’s festivities, there is another small carnival the following weekend popularly known as “carnival chiquito” or “carnival de los jartibles”, where those who just can’t get enough of carnival take to the streets for one last hurrah.