The Carnival of Cádiz
We have started the month of carnivals, Cádiz being one of the most special in Spain. If you plan to visit the south of Spain, we recommend you do it during the days of this carnival. Let music, colour and joy take over you.
Today we welcome February, the quintessential month of carnivals, and if there is one carnival that stands out from others in Spain, it is the carnival of Cádiz. This carnival takes place from February 20th to March 1st.
Now is the ideal time to travel to the south of the country, because the entire city transforms for the carnival and you can get to know the rich culture better and enjoy the ingenuity and grace of Cádiz. During these days’ carnival music is heard in every corner of the city, it is one of the most anticipated recreational events, a unique party that is certainly worth knowing about.
But this holiday does not only run during the last few days of February, at the beginning of the month there are a series of culinary events that welcome the Carnival, for example, the pestiñada, erizada, ostionada and mejillonada. These events are an excuse to meet, go out and listen to the first guitars, bandurrias and boxes, while eating pestiños, hedgehogs, oysters and mussels (typical foods of Cádiz), according to the day. These culinary events are held on weekends before the carnival where everyone is invited for free.
Another celebration that occurs before the main days of the festival is the competition of the Gran Teatro Falla, a music conmpetition where groups from all over Andalusia and even other locations take part. The different categories that participate are chirigota, the troupe, the choir and the quartet.
In addition to the official programme presented by the City Council of Cádiz, these parties are joined by an endless number of spontaneous acts, where many street groups take to the streets to sing and interpret their repertoire with no scheduled place or time (busking).
The festivities begin with the inauguration of the extraordinary lighting and the final of the Group Competition of the Gran Teatro Falla, on February 20th and 21st. This ceremony consists of an announcement at the beginning of the festivities and where they wish them well.
From that day forward, during the next 8 days, there is a multitude of events in the street, group circuits, competitions, carousels, performances, horseback riding (especially the Great Horse Ride), food and culinary events and fireworks that will culminate a holiday full of joy and colour.
Now is the ideal time to travel to the south of the country, because the entire city transforms for the carnival and you can get to know the rich culture better and enjoy the ingenuity and grace of Cádiz. During these days’ carnival music is heard in every corner of the city, it is one of the most anticipated recreational events, a unique party that is certainly worth knowing about.
But this holiday does not only run during the last few days of February, at the beginning of the month there are a series of culinary events that welcome the Carnival, for example, the pestiñada, erizada, ostionada and mejillonada. These events are an excuse to meet, go out and listen to the first guitars, bandurrias and boxes, while eating pestiños, hedgehogs, oysters and mussels (typical foods of Cádiz), according to the day. These culinary events are held on weekends before the carnival where everyone is invited for free.
Another celebration that occurs before the main days of the festival is the competition of the Gran Teatro Falla, a music conmpetition where groups from all over Andalusia and even other locations take part. The different categories that participate are chirigota, the troupe, the choir and the quartet.
In addition to the official programme presented by the City Council of Cádiz, these parties are joined by an endless number of spontaneous acts, where many street groups take to the streets to sing and interpret their repertoire with no scheduled place or time (busking).
The festivities begin with the inauguration of the extraordinary lighting and the final of the Group Competition of the Gran Teatro Falla, on February 20th and 21st. This ceremony consists of an announcement at the beginning of the festivities and where they wish them well.
From that day forward, during the next 8 days, there is a multitude of events in the street, group circuits, competitions, carousels, performances, horseback riding (especially the Great Horse Ride), food and culinary events and fireworks that will culminate a holiday full of joy and colour.