Ladies and Gentlemen… Carnival is back, and at its most participatory!  The Arribo, the Saraus, the Passacaglias, the Taronjada, the Burial of the Sardine… Welcome to the kingdom of the Carnival King.

The programme, of Barcelona Carnival (which is on from 12 to 18 February) starts on Fat Thursday, that same day will see the «Arribo» and Carnival Fireworks. This year’s new feature is the Ball del Rodolí, which takes place on Friday, 13 February. There will also be, what’s more, close to thirty neighbourhood processions distributed throughout the city, most of these held on Saturday, 14 February. Sunday 15 February marks the Taronjada (an orange confetti and balloon fight) with Carnival dancing at Plaça Comercial and a music procession featuring the Carnival King. Last but not least, Carnival will come to its official end on Wednesday 18 February, with the Burial of the Sardine ceremony held at Ciutadella Park.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 17:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes. Please do not be shy, and we will love to see the pictures post on AltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

Carnival is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with traditional Catholics to mark the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence that lasts for 40 days, sothe Carnival or Carnestoltes party, as it is known in Catalonia, represents a last chance to celebrate and enjoy the pleasures of life. Today, the celebration lasts five days, starting on Thursday (Jueves Ladero) and ending on Ash Wednesday.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 20:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes. Please do not be shy, and we will love to see the pictures post onAltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

Carnival is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with traditional Catholics to mark the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence that lasts for 40 days, sothe Carnival or Carnestoltes party, as it is known in Catalonia, represents a last chance to celebrate and enjoy the pleasures of life. Today, the celebration lasts five days, starting on Thursday (Jueves Ladero) and ending on Ash Wednesday.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 20:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes, hopefully not be shy. We want to see the pictures post on AltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

–

El Carnaval se celebra el martes anterior al tradicional miércoles de ceniza con que los católicos marcan el inicio de la Cuaresma, un periodo de ayuno y abstinencia que se prolonga durante 40 días, por lo que el Carnaval o la fiesta de Carnestoltes, como se la conoce en Cataluña, representa una última oportunidad de festejar y disfrutar de los placeres de la vida. En la actualidad la celebración se prolonga cinco días, comenzando con el Jueves Ladero y terminando el Miércoles de Ceniza.

Ese sábado se celebran Rúas, por ejemplo en los cascos históricos de los barrios de Gràcia, Horta y Sants. Las Rúas son desfiles de carrozas y de personas que, portando disfraces de todo lo imaginable, bailan y se divierten al ritmo de una música alegre y contagiosa. El recorrido comienza alrededor de las 20:00 hrs. y dura unas dos horas. Suele ser un evento familiar que disfrutan por igual niños y adultos.

En Barcelona el Carnaval es relativamente tranquilo, aunque en bares y discotecas como el Nick Havanna o la Sala Bikini hacen fiestas para celebrarlo que duran hasta altas horas de la madrugada. Para los más atrevidos, también está el Carnaval de Sitges dónde si que se arma una fiesta muy, pero que muy animada.

Hay pocas ciudades pequeñas que pueden presumir de un carnaval de fama mundial. En Sitges (28.000 habitantes) a 30km de Barcelona se construye un gran espectáculo que reune alrededor de 300.000 personas, lleno de color y sensualidad capaz de competir con cualquier otra ciudad. Para situarse, es bueno saber que Sitges se convirtió en un refugio contra la intolerancia y la censura en la época de Franco, y se ha mantenido como una meca para la comunidad gay.

El Carnaval de Sitges es un sorprendente espectáculo que dura toda la semana. Los desfiles son una verdadera exhibición de creatividad estética y artística. Riqueza de vestuario, maquillaje, plumas, lentejuelas, atrevidos modelos de fantasía, inverosímiles escenarios teatrales encima de plataformas móviles. Atrévete a participar!!

Entre los eventos destacados se incluye un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales (tras la elección del rey y la reina del carnaval), un Carnaval de niños y la Rua de l’Extermini (el desfile del exterminio), generalmente lleno de DragQueens al borde de la locura. El Miércoles de Ceniza, en un final un poco surrealista, una enorme estatua de una sardina se entierra en la playa. Todo el evento también es conocido por su seguridad, algo importante para los amantes de la diversión pura y un orgullo para el pueblo de Sitges.

La mejor manera de llegar a Sitges desde Barcelona es en tren desde Passeig de Gràcia o Sants Estació. Durante estos días hay un servicio especial continuo (información sobre horarios de trenes y tarifas RENFE).

En Barcelona hay varios sitios de alquiler y compra de disfraces, esperamos que no seáis tímidos. En AltiroBarcelona Facebook queremos vuestras fotos, a ver quién es el más original!!