Carnival in Spain. Hispania, escuela de español

How is Carnival celebrated in Spain? Origin and traditions

Have you already launched? carnival costume of this year? Not yet?

Perhaps this article will help inspire you.

Today we are talking about one of the most important festivals in Spain, the Carnival.

If ever you wondered what is carnival y Why is carnival celebrated in Spain? We are going to give you the answers!

You will learn what is origin of the carnivals, which are the most popular costumes and most famous carnivals in Spain with their traditions.

Let the party begin! 🥳

 

Origin of the carnival

 

First, we contextualize a bit about the origin of carnival to better understand this party.

In this section we are going to explain what the origin of the carnival, the traditions y the oldest carnival in Spain.

 

Origin of carnival in Spain

 

The carnival parties in Spain have to do with the christian religioniana. 

Although these festivities have already begun to take place in the Ancient Greece, with the festivals of the bacchanalia and the Dionysias, in which comic theatrical performances were made in the streets.

Also in the Roman empire Similar festivities were held: the saturnalia

It was in the Middle Ages when it was given the name Carnival. In latin: «Carnem Levare», it means "remove meat».

La carnival celebration It was done a few days before the period of the Lent. Lent is the 40 days that precede the Easter.

Lent was a time of fasting and sobriety. The ChristiansianThey couldn't eat meat or celebrate parties, among other things.

For this reason, just before the beginning of the carnival, the carnival was celebrated to fully enjoy the food, the dance and all the excesses that were allowed. 

In order not to be recognized in the face of possible discrepancies, many people put on masks on the face or disguised.

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 on the masks during the carnival?

I'm sure the famous ones sound familiar to you Venice carnivals. During these festivities, people from different social classes could blend in and blend in equally, celebrating the holidays together.

¿when is carnival currently?

La Carnival date in Spain remains the same as in the Middle Ages: 40 days before Easter.

These festivals follow the lunar calendar, so every year the days are different. 

¿When are the carnivals this year??

The carnivals 2023 fall from 16 to 21 for February.

However, the carnival in Spain 2022 It was from February 25 to March 1.

¿What day is carnival in Spain? As we just said, there really isn't a single carnival day.

This party always lasts a week, Thursday to Ash Wednesday.

If we had to choose a single carnival day in spain as most important, in that case it would be the last day: Tuesday of Carnival.

¿When is Shrove Tuesday in 2023? This year it falls on February 21.

 

Carnival traditions in Spain. Hispania, escuela de español

 

Carnival traditions

 

Now you know When are the carnivals in Spain? and its origins.

It's time for us to talk about the traditions Spain carnival.

Carnivals are celebrated on 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:

  • carnival, carnival, Georgie Dann. 
  • Life is a party, Celia Cruz. 
  • the carnival has arrived, Open Formula. 
  • Carnival, Maluma. 
  • Carnival (We Come to Celebrate)Danny Romero.

When is carnival in Spain, people dress up and organize many public parties where revelry, dancing, fun and lack of control 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.

The carnival celebrations in Spain they have their own characteristics depending on the province or region in which they are made.

We mention a few:

  • The burial of the sardine.
  • Fat Thursday.
  • Chirigotas and comparsas.
  • Murgas.
  • Queens of Carnival.
  • Parades and floats.
  • Costume parties.

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

 

El oldest carnival in Spain It is held in Rodrigo City, Salamanca. Is 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 bell of the "Reloj Suelto" of the town hall, which warns when the bulls are in the streets.

Another special event in the Carnaval del Toro is the confinement on horseback. Expert horseback riders lead the bulls from the countryside to the city.

The great day of costumes is held at the Mirobrigos New Theater. 

Here is the fancy dress ball and the p are distributedremiyou to the best carnival costumes.

Speaking of costumes, do you want to find out what the carnival costumes in spain more typical?

Let's find out!

 

Carnival costumes. Hispania, escuela de español

 

Carnival costume

 

In carnival, any theme is allowed to dress up. 

Do not limit 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, just like in the photo.

I'm sure nobody messes with you...

Next, we give you more ideas. 😉

 

Carnival costume for children

 

Children are a large part of the beneficiaries of the carnival. What child does not like to dress up?

If you have children, surely superhero costumes they will love: Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman… they are a classic and they 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 build on literary characters that they are not so exploited in carnival. 

Why not dress up your son as Don Quixote? 😁

There are also very funny things costumes, such as pizza, plant or car.

The point is to dress up as something cool and for the kids to have a blast.

 

Group carnival costume

 

If you are going out with your friends and you all want to dress up as the same, we suggest some carnival costumes for groups that might 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 go as pharaohs, aliens, Vikings, scarecrows...

The jobs They are also a good option: explorers, doctors, athletes, etc.

 

Carnival masks

 

As we have explained previously, the masks in carnivals They were very important in the Middle Ages.

Nowadays people prefer to put on a costume instead of the masks.

For this reason, we think that wearing a mask can be a great option. to stand out during the carnival week.

The classic carnival mask is the venec maskiano

You can find it in many types: elegant, quirky, colourful, subtle, mysterious...

If you prefer something more modern, you can also buy one theme mask superhero, clown, zombie or other popular characters.

 

Famous carnivals in Spain. Hispania, escuela de español

 

Famous carnivals in Spain

 

The carnivals in spain they are highly celebrated. However, they are not celebrated with the same intensity in all the provinces.

¿What is the best carnival in Spain??

It is difficult to answer that question. The carnival party in spain it has a lot of presence in a lot of locations, and we can't choose just one. 

That's why we're going to see which are the best carnivals in Spain, in plural.

So you'll know where to go if you're touring Spain during the carnival week.

 

Cadiz Carnival

 

The Carnival of Cádiz in Spain has the recognition of International party of touristic interest.

This carnival is distinguished by its fun tone medianyou chirigotas and comparsas.  

Comparsas 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 sporting.

If you are looking for an funny carnivals, without a doubt in Cádiz you will laugh.

 

Carnival in Madrid

 

This party is also lived with great passion in Madrid

When is carnival week?, the people of the capital take to the streets to celebrate and enjoy the parades, musical events and costume balls.

When is carnival 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: 

  • The Great Carnival Parade.
  • The Masked Ball of the Círculo de Bellas Artes.
  • The meeting of murgas and chirigotas in the Plaza de la Villa.

And we could not miss the closing of the festivity with the Burial of the Sardine. Don't you know what this is? Most of the carnivals in Spain end with this tradition. 

If you hold out until the end of the article, you will find out what it is. ????

 

Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

 

When are the carnivals, in Palmas of Gran Canaria mounts a public stage in the park of Saint Catherine. 

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 of this year 2023 is “Studio 54”.

¿When do the carnivals start? from Gran Canaria? They begin on February 10 and March 5 is when the carnival ends. Almost a month of parties!

There is no doubt that he is one of the most important carnivals in Spain.

As you can imagine, these parties are much loved and celebrated for the canaries

In addition, 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 that the festival lasts.

Now you know where the the best carnival sweets in spain. 😋

 

Tenerife Carnival. Hispania, escuela de español

 

Tenerife Carnivals

 

El Carnival of Tenerife in Spain is probably the most famous carnival in Spain.

Is he also one of the most famous carnivals in the world? He wouldn't miss us.

Here are celebrated the carnival parades spectacular with big parties that reverberate throughout the island and original carnival floats.

Have you ever seen images of the impressive carnivals in brazil? They throw some tremendous parties, right?

Well, the Carnival of Tenerife in the Canary Islands is the closest thing we have in our country.

All the people go out into the streets to celebrate and dance with costumes, creating a picturesque image of the city.

The most important moment of the celebration is the festival of queens of carnival.

In this festival, the participants dress up in flashy 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.

 

Vinaros Carnival

 

El Vinaros Carnival It is celebrated in the homonymous municipality of the province of Castellón, in the Valencian Communityiana.

This carnival lasts for two weeks.

¿When does Carnival start? from Vinaros? He this year's carnival 2023 begins on February 4 and ends on the 20th of this month.

In these festivities there is a festival called the Queens Gala, where the comparsas exhibit their most spectacular costumes. 

This year the gala was held on February 11 and was presented by 30 queens and a king.

The next day a similar party was held, but for the children.

On the weekend of 18 to 19 there were also parades throughout the municipality with all the comparsas, playing music and dancing.

 

Barcelona Carnival

 

La date of the carnivals 2023 en Barcelona takes place from February 16 to February 22.

Some of the most interesting elements in the Barcelona Carnival are:

  • The arrival

Celebrate the arrival of the Carnival King, which connects all the important events during the festivity.

  • the street

In Rua, the colorful carnival parades unfold through the streets of Barcelona.

  • The burial.

The Carnival King dismisses the carnival acts with the Burial of the Sardine. You still don't understand what this is, do you? 

Be patient, we'll explain it to you right away!

 

Carnivals in Oviedo

 

The carnivals in Oviedo receive their own name Antroxu

In Oviedo the carnival is usually celebrated on the weekend. Friday is for children, who enjoy costume contests and other shows.

Adults take to the streets on Saturday. are made typical carnival things such as costume parades and shows that take place in the Cathedral Square.

Did you know that the antroxu it is also a plate of food?

It is served in the Tuesday of Carnival, the day before Ash Wednesday, the day the festivities end and Lent begins.

This dish is a typical asturian potiano whose ingredients are turnips, chorizo, black pudding, pig's ear, pork shoulder, ribs, snout, cabbage, potato and fabes. 

As you can see, the dish is very loaded. 😁

In addition, for dessert they usually serve delicious French toast or sweet crepes.

If you want to try typical carnival food in Spain, this asturian potianor in Oviedo will captivate you.

 

Laza Carnival. Hispania, escuela de español

 

Laza Carnival

 

El Laza Carnival It is, together with the Carnival of Verin and Xinzo de Limia, the most representative of Galicia.

In Galician it is called I enter, and 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:

  • torchlight tour on the Friday before Ash Wednesday.
  • Parade of the hairdressers: are the main characters of this festival. Some are frightened to see these disguised men with cowbells and whips in their hands wreaking havoc in the streets.
  • farracada: pitched battle in which muddy rags are used as a weapon. 😮
  • Descent of the Morena: this is the most beastly event we have found in Spain. La Morena is a person disguised as a cow accompanied by a procession that hits the spectators with branches. In addition, they throw live ants soaked in sugar or vinegar so that they get angry and bite people.

We are not deceiving you, this party is totally true. ????

 

Eagles Carnival

 

The Eagles Carnival is considered one of the best carnivals in Spain.  

Águilas is a municipality in the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia.

The one in Cádiz, the one in Tenerife and the one in Águilas are the three carnivals of international tourist interest.

This year is a carnival that is celebrated durante a Whole month, from the 10 of February to the 10 of March.

During this month there are all kinds of events: parades, floats, jokes, 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 citizens of the town while they chase him and make him angry.

 

Badajoz Carnival

 

The badajoz carnivals, in Extremadura, are considered by many experts as el best carnival in Spain as they're full of Great troupe parade.

And it is that the whole city fully lives the festivities and goes out to the streets to enjoy and dance. 

¿How long does Carnival last? from Badajoz?

This year the programming starts on January 28 and ends February 26.

For a whole month the entire city of Badajoz will be rumbling. (I.e.

One of the most anticipated events is the Candlelight Festival.

In this event, the 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 Carnival of Badajoz the murgas.

They are theaters in which satirical works are mixed with music. They always have a lot of humor and a message of social denunciation.

 

Toulouse Carnival

 

El Toulouse Carnival is the most popular The Basque Country

This municipality located in Guipúzcoa With almost twenty thousand inhabitants, it really feels the carnival spirit. 

This year is celebrated from February 16 to 26.

During these days several events stand out such as the 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 watch out for Carnival Sunday. On this day, people will take to the streets in their 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 is carnival celebrated in spain It usually ends this way.

 

Valencian Carnivals

 

Here's a few more examples to make things clear carnivals of the Valenc Communityiana very 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 trendy tapas bars and clubs for partying.

You will surely love to enjoy the parades, music, craft markets and costume contests in its beautiful streets.

for the valencianos, the carnival of Valencia is the prelude to the really important party that takes place in March, the faults. 👏

 

The Burial of the Sardine to end the carnival

 

this has been ours calendar of carnivals in Spain. 

Now you can get an idea of How is the carnival in Spain.

It remains to explain 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 throughout the country.

See if this tradition is popular, which is also celebrated in some Latin American countries, such as Venezuela.

 

What is the Burial of the Sardine

 

It is a very parade burlesque and funny which takes place on the last day of Carnival.

It parodies a funeral ride. Who is dead? A 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 included in the song and it's start of a new cycle with the arrival of spring.

Of course, this tradition has its different particularities in each region. 

For example, in Murcia a large sardine-shaped fault is burned. In this community it is one of the most weighty this celebration of end of carnival.

Well, piece of article that we have written!

now you have a lot carnival information And if you dare to visit Spain on these dates, you already know the most interesting places to enjoy this party.

we recap everything you've learned in this article:

  • What are carnivals and a brief review of the history of carnival in Spain.
  • On what date are the carnivals y what days are the carnivals

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.

  • Typical things of the carnival in Spain and its traditions.
  • Carnival costumes in Spain.
  • When is the carnival celebrated? in the different autonomous communities and the most famous places to enjoy it.
  • What is the burial of the sardine?

Do you want to know more about this fantastic party? In Hispania, escuela de español, we do thematic classes when it is the week of carnival.

By the way, if you want to fully enjoy the carnival and party in Spain, you need to learn Spanish

A good way to achieve this is with our face-to-face Spanish courses or our online Spanish courses

Have you ever lived 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 Carlos Martínez for Hispania, escuela de español.

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