What is Sitges Carnival?
Sitges Carnival is known as one of the top ten carnival celebrations in the world. Situated in the Spanish Mediterranean this winter carnival is famous for its debauchery. Here is everything you need to know about celebrating carnival in Sitges!
Sitges Carnival always starts on the Thursday prior to Ash Wednesday. Sitges Carnival officially begins when the King of Carnival arrives into town and ends when he leaves on Ash Wednesday the first day of Lent.
When is the Sitges Carnival? Sitges Carnival will start on February 24, 2022 until March 2, 2022.
Sitges Carnival is considered to be one of the greatest carnivals in the world! Once a year the small and beautiful town of Sitges goes crazy for carnival throwing one of the biggest carnival celebrations in all of Europe. For seven magnificent days the Sitges Carnival features:
- 50 Floats
- 3000 participants
- 300,000 people attending
- 24/7 non-stop partying
Not only is thiscarnival considered to be one of the biggest and best in the world, it is also one of the wildest. Sitges Carnival is the last chance before the onset of Lent to give in to all your temptations. It is the perfect place to let your hair down, get your freak on and party your cares away.
Sitges Carnival, is popular with the gay community, largely due to the reputation Sitges has as being a gay capital of Europe. While Sitges Carnivalisn’t specifically a gay event, you cannot deny the influence that this community has on the local celebrations. The town takes pride in throwing such an open and diverse celebration.
Sitges Carnivalis called the greatest party in Spain because during carnival week the city transforms into a non-stop, 24/7 fiesta. Everyone both young and old hop into crazy costumes and take to the streets, socialising, singing, dancing and partying the night away. Bars and nightclubs host endless parties all week long from night until the wee hours of the morning.
Carnival is filled with loads of exciting events and activities. But the two most popular are the Debauchery Parade and the Extermination Parade. These are both massive events with thousands of participants and over 50 floats. There is also a pretty spectacular children’s parade that is worth watching.
There are lots of fun and unique events like the very popular Bed Race where competitors evade obstacles with hay. There are also drag shows, contests, concerts, fireworks, cultural events, traditional dances and so much more going on.
Many carnival activities take place in the cultural societies of the Casino Prado and El Retiro. Also, the King Carnestoltes will visit different schools and parts of the town each day, along with the Carnival Queen.
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras is the biggest day of celebration during Sitges Carnival. This is the final day before Lent officially begins and because there are no neighboring towns that celebrate carnival, everyone heads to Sitges.
Sitges Carnival also places a big emphasis on live music and heavily features live music groups such as Markatú Batucada and Sabor a Xocolat. There are lots of sound systems set up around the town, with loads of free concerts and entertainment you can enjoy.