Entertainment in Spain
Essential Guide to What's on when and where in Spain 2009
 Spanish Fiestas, Concerts, Festivals, Events, 2009
Spain's Tourist, travel and holiday guide
Entertainment in Spain
 
Carnivals in Spain
Lent 2009 is February 25 April 12
so all the carnivals in Spain will be completed before this date

 

 

 
Malaga Carnival 2009
1st February
9pm Fiesta 
110m Talent Show, Contest
2nd February
from mid day, shows, talent contests and fiesta
3rd February
from midday shows and games for children
2 30pm beer, wine and food tasting
8 30pm fire works
 
 
 
Carnivals
Carnivals In Spain
 

As elsewhere in the Catholic world, carnival is celebrated before the 40 days of Lent. Most Andalucian towns stage some kind of parade, and there is usually a dance and a "Carnival Queen" contest.  Carnivals in Spain. As one of Spain´s major ports during the 16th century, Cadiz copied the carnival of Venice, a city with which it had much trade, and since then it has become the liveliest and most dazzling carnival town in mainland Spain, famous for its amusing and creative figurines and satirical song groups.
 


The Carnival centres around Shrove Tuesday (February  February 5th 2008, February 24th 2009, February 16th 2010, March 8th 2011, February 21st 2012, February 12th 2013, March 4th 2014). Most towns celebrate the carnival with processions either the weekend before or after. Larger towns have festivities lasting all week.

The best-known celebrations being those of Cadiz Carnival. Other nearby towns such as El Puerto de Santa María, Rota, San Fernando, Chiclana, Algeciras, Medina-Sidonia and Trebujena have lavish carnivals. Isla Cristina and Ayamonte, are also famous for their elaborate costumes and excitement, drawing visitors from throughout the region and the other side of the Portuguese border as well.

The carnival is the fiesta of the people. It is a reaction against the abstentions and prohibitions of all types. This fiesta attempts to break social order and liberalise instincts, helped by wearing masks and fancy dress.

During the Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. After the war there was still much opposition to the Carnival by the rulers so Franco abolished the Carnival in 1937. However, it continued in Cadiz and some other towns namely, Ayamonte, Isla Cristina, Fuentes de Andalucia, Trabujena, and Benamajoma.
 
 
 
Carnaval Tenerife
Voted the best, most spectacular and safest carnival in the world. Carnivals in Spain
Carnival 2009:
Main events
15th February: Gala for the Election of the 2007 Carnival Queen
17th February: Proclamatory Parade
21st February: Burial of the Sardine
24th February: "Coso" The apotheosis of Carnival (16:00 hrs)
CARNIVAL
The carnival has been declared of international tourist interest, being one of the longest-standing CARNIVALS of the island. Even during the time when the fiesta was banned, it has always managed to find a place in the hearts of the people of Puerto de la Cruz, they even camouflaged the carnival under the name of "winter fiestas" in order not to miss it. The burial of the sardine, held on Ash Wednesday, and the Grand Carnival Parade, on the following Saturday, are quite spectacular, with the participation of many individuals, groups, floats, comparsas, murgas (carnival music groups) and several delegations from the CARNIVALS of other countries, including Dusseldorf, which has been taking part in the carnival of Puerto de la Cruz for over twenty five years
 
 February-March According to many people the carnivals are one of the most well-known features of Tenerife and the best after those of Rio de Janeiro. All the islanders gather together at these annual festivities in a mass outburst of collective gaiety.
The main celebrations take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the areas near the port where people dance to the sound of the best Salsa groups.
Few are the inhabitants of Tenerife who do not prepare their fancy dress to show off during theses happy days.




During the twenty seven days of the carnivals, many important festivities are held such as the election of the Queen, competitions of street bands, processions and above all the impressive cavalcade which blends "Caribean" and "European" into a garland of colour and spectacle.
Whoever visits Tenerife during the month of February should not miss the vibrant and bustling celebrations and if possible join the crowd in fancy dress.
 

Carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is, without a doubt, the most “Brazilian” of all of Spain’s Carnaval celebrations. For a week the streets of Tenerife’s capital are flooded with revelers from all over the world, with music, color, jubilation and creativity, creating a concentrated festive atmosphere difficult to describe. Carnaval on this island, which has become one of the world’s largest celebrations, is an explosion of joy and freedom that perfectly brings together the essence of this universal fiesta: for a few days there are no limits, and the only rule is complete abandon, taboos and norms disappear. The purest, most complete expression of freedom is what defines Carnaval in Santa Cruz.

However, this chaotic revelry is in no way improvised or disorganized. Months beforehand, the people of Tenerife excitedly prepare the floats that will travel the city streets, investing these preparations with boundless imagination and good energy that is catching. Songs and musical pieces are rehearsed, and parodies about current politics or famous people are created. All Carnaval groups participate in the opening parade on the first day (the Saturday before Carnaval): Brazilian style groups, bands of adult and child street musicians, choirs, and of course thousands and thousands of people in costume. The Carnaval Queen is selected from among the parade’s most beautiful girls, who are then royally outfitted in gorgeous dresses specifically designed for the occasion. On Carnaval Tuesday participants experience the festival’s apotheosis in an enclosure in which all participants gather; it is the culmination of what has truly been a metamorphosis, the closing of this long parenthesis in the day-to-day life of Tenerife which its Carnaval celebration represents.
 

 

 
 Cádiz Carnival.
31st January to 10th February 2009
Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain
  956693001
 Carnival.  Carnivals in Spain. Declared to be of International Tourist Interest. It is Cádiz's main festival, the main events are: The Finals of the carnival group contest (adults) at the Gran Teatro Falla on the16th. ..Read More
 
Carnival of Lantz
5th February 2009

Carnivals in Spain
A long-standing rural tradition in which the forces of good and evil confront each other in a symbolic battle, during which the thirst for justice stirs up public rage. Every Tuesday during carnival week, in the little village of Lantz, the legendarily evil bandit Miel Otxin is imprisoned and sentenced to death by fire. The three-metre high effigy is dressed in a patterned blouson, blue trousers and a red sash, with his arms stretched out in a cross and crowned with a colourfully embellished conical cap. Various other characters accompany him on the procession: Ziripot, a roly-poly, good natured chap made from sacks full of bracken and hay who can barely stay upright; Zaldico, a wild horse which charges him until he falls to the ground; meanwhile, the Arotzak carrying hammers and pincers, runs behind El Zaldico to try to shoe him, and finally the Txatxos, enveloped in animal skins and armed with staves and broomsticks, bellow incoherently while harassing everyone present.
Locality: LANTZ (31798)

Zone: The Pyrenees

www.pirineos.com

Carnaval 2009 en Madrid
del 31 de Enero al 6 de Febrero, Madrid


Carnaval de Getafe 2008
del 30 de Enero al 6 de Febrero, Getafe


Carnaval 2009 en Alcorcón
del 31 de Enero al 6 de Febrero, Alcorcón


Carnaval 2009 en Móstoles
del 26 de Enero al 2 de Febrero, Móstoles


Fiestas de Valdemorillo 2009
del 1 al 10 de Febrero, Valdemorillo


Carnaval 2009 en Chinchón
del 1 al 6 de Febrero, Chinchón


Carnaval 2009 en Parla
del 1 al 6 de Febrero, Parla


Carnavales 2009 en Rivas-Vaciamadrid
del 1 al 6 de Febrero, Rivas-Vaciamadrid


Fiesta de La Vaquilla 2009 en Colmenar Viejo
2 de Febrero, Colmenar Viejo


Carnaval 2008 en Collado Villalba
del 2 al 6 de Febrero, Collado Villalba
 

 

 
The Carnivals in Spain centres around Shrove Tuesday (February 5 2008)
 
Carnaval 2009 Madrid
1st - 6th February
 
Águilas, Murcia
Fiestas de Carnaval - Carnival
26 January to 9 February 2009
 
Sitges Carnival
31st January to 5th february
February is carnival time in Spain and Sitges join's in the fun. This one for some reason has become the truly gay festival. Many carnivals around the world are gay festivals but Sitges carnival is world famous for it's exotic style and extravagance.
 
Cartagena Carnival
26th January to 5th February
 
Alicante Carnival
31st January to 10 February
 
Markina-Xemein Carnival
3 February 2008
Vizcaya - Bizkaia, País Vasco
 
Carnival signifies a kind of carousing; by Spain carnival we mean the traditional festivities of Spain celebrated in different seasons or occasions. During Spain carnivals the locals get into various fun activities like dancing, singing and making merry. Traditional food delicacies and liquor are the appropriate company for Spain carnivals, often the natives goes for feasts during carnival times in Spain .

Spain carnivals are usually celebrated into winter seasons. Various Spain carnivals are famous world-wide for their colourful mood and presentation. Fancy dress processions, float parades, jokes etc are the indispensable part of Spain carnivals .

In different Spain villages group of natives gathers together at wintry night, lighting the fire to celebrate countryside festivals. Among many colloquial Spain festivities, some of the significant carnivals of Spain include,

Barcelona's carnival
Villanova I la Geltrú and Sitges
Las fiestas de Carnaval
Choral contests
Traditional International Car Rally of Barcelona-Sitges
Barcelona's Carnival is good but of less importance as it is less exciting, because in this festival no central parade or procession takes place.

Villanova I la Geltrú and Sitges is an exotic carnival of Spain where the participants dances their heart and parties like un-tamed animals till the sunrise crawls in the cities. The colorful processions of this festival are worth to experience.

Las fiestas de Carnaval of Spain takes place according to the liturgical calendar, sometimes in February, around the week before Ash Wednesday.

Choral contests in Spain are also a presumed occasion that holds a different genre of specialty. In this occasion natives of Spain are similarly dressed; they all sing together and perform on the traditional music on humors and irony on various popular myths of Spain.

Traditional International Car Rally of Barcelona-Sitges, Now this is a great festival of Spain. For many years this car rally is taking place in Spain. Cars which were made before 1920, they take part in these rallies, and all the participants dress up according to that period.

Spain carnivals are one of the great subjects of interest to the traveller of Spain.

 
Tenerife Festivals & Carnivals

Carnivals: Celebrated during February in Tenerife, carnivals are the most important celebrations in all the districts of Tenerife particularly in the capital Santa Cruz.
More information about carnivals in Tenerife, Spain

Corpus Christi: (June) Carpets of flowers and volcanic earth in La Orotava and La Laguna.

Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria: (14/15 of August) Festival of patron saint of the island in Candelaria.

San Andrés: (29/30 of November) New wine tasting festival in Icod, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz.

According to many people the carnivals in Tenerife, Spain are one of the most well-known features of Tenerife and the best after those of Rio de Janeiro. All the islanders gather together at these annual festivities in a mass outburst of collective gaiety.

The main celebrations take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the areas near the port where people dance to the sound of the best Salsa groups.
Few are the inhabitants of Tenerife who do not prepare their fancy dress to show off during theses happy days.

During the twenty seven days of the carnivals in Tenerife, Spain many important festivities are held such as the election of the Queen, competitions of street bands, processions and above all the impressive cavalcade which blends "Caribean" and "European" into a garland of colour and spectacle.

Whoever visits Tenerife, Spain  during the month of February should not miss the vibrant and bustling celebrations and if possible join the crowd in fancy dress
 
 
 
San Sebastian Carnival, Spain
 
The first references about the San Sebastian Carnival date from 1814.  Carnivals in Spain. But one may assume that the Carnival in San Sebastian has a longer history, as far as we know that the great fire in 1813 destroyed the town almost completely. Even then, a year after the disaster, there were masquerades marching through the ruined streets, continuing the long tradition of the carnival...Read More
 
Morón de la Frontera Carnival
5th February
 Morón de la Frontera
Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain
Tel. 954851008
www.ayunt-sevilla.es
 Carnival.  Carnivals in Spain. 2nd: Presentation and Opening Ceremony with the Programme of Carnival Activities 2007 and the prize giving of the best carnival poster and the best children's poster. ..Read More
 
 
Almería Carnival
5th February
 Almería
 Almería, Andalucia, Spain
  Auditorio Municipal Maestro Padilla
Tel:  950210000
 Carnival.  Carnivals in Spain. 3rd: Opening ceremony. 4th: Crowning the Carnival Goddess and God. 9th to 11th: ...
Read More
 
Málaga Carnival.
4th to 18th February 2009
  Málaga, Andalucia, Spain
Tel 952135000
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain. 4th: Traditional Perchelero Stew in the street of the Perchel suburb and at night at 9 p.m. the first semifinals of the Carnival Groups Contest, continuing until the 7th at the Cervantes Theatre. 8th: Children's festival. .. Read More
7th to 25th February 2009
 Loja
  Granada, Andalucia, Spain
  Tel.958321156
 Carnival.  Carnivals in Spain. 7th: Opening ceremony. 8th to 11th: Semifinals of the Competition for Carnival groups. 16th: Finals of the Competition for ..  Read More
 
 
 
 
Punta Umbría Carnival.
5th February
  Punta Umbría
 Huelva
Telephone:  959495100
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain. Called the Carnival of light, this explosion of colour starts with a chance to try different dishes all made with cockles as the main ingredient. ..
Read More
 
Cuevas del Almanzora Carnival
5th February
 Cuevas del Almanzora
 Almería, Andalucia, Spain
Tel. 950618473
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain Burial of the Sardine. It starts the night before Ash Wednesday with the vigil, when everyone dresses in a sheet with a veil to announce the death of the Sardine. ..Read More
 
Gibraleón Carnival.
5th February
 Gibraleón
 Huelva, Andalucia, Spain
  Tel. 959300211
 Carnival. Two different associations fill the carnival with colour and sharp criticism. .. Read More
 
 Alhama de Granada Carnival
5th February
 Alhama de Granada
  Granada, Andalucia, Spain
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain. 18th: Fireworks to announce the start of the carnival, 10 a.m. Opening ceremony of the carnival, 1 p.m. 19th: Children's and youth carnival in the Paseo del Cisne. Live performance by the kindergarden and school children. Tea for the children. ..Read More
 
 Bornos Carnival
5th February
 Bornos
 Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain
Tel. 956712034
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain. This is the most representative festival in Bornos, it is lived with intensity because of its lively, dynamic and fun-loving character, ..Read More
 
 
  Huelva Carnival
5th February
  Huelva, Andalucia, Spain
tel. 959210101
 Carnival.  Carnivals in Spain. The fun and laughter of the carnival invade the streets. An established competition for carnival groups at the Gran Teatro ..Read More
 
 
 
Almuñécar Carnival.
5th February
Almuñécar
 Granada
 Tel. 958630333
 Carnival. Carnivals in Spain. From the 12th to the17th you can enjoy the carnival week in La Herradura and Almuñécar. Street parades and fancy dress competitions....Read More
 
Laza, Galicia
The small community of Laza boasts about 900 inhabitants and entroido is one of the focal points around which the townspeople organize their lives. The Carnival play is acted out through music, dance, and feasting. Ritualized aggression involves participants whipping spectators and throwing ash, flour, water, and dirt filled with ants on one another. Makeshift floats express social and political commentary as does the public reading of a testament that provides comical, satirical, and exaggerated statements about the actions of the townspeople during the past year.
 
Madrid Carnival
5th February

Carnival has been celebrated in Madrid since Medieval times. This tradition was interrupted for many decades by General Franco, who banned the carnival since the Civil War. In 1976 this ban was lifted and ever since, the popular event is celebrated every year. On the last day of Carnival, Ash Wednesday the traditional „Entierro de la Sardina“ (The Burial of the sardine) is held on Paseo de la Florida. This marks the beginning of Lent.