Cádiz Carnival from the 16th to the 26th February 2023

Cádiz Carnival is a ten day celebration the premier, and probably craziest, carnival in Spain from the 16th to the 26th February 2023

By Nick Nutter | Updated 15 Jan 2023 | Cádiz | Events | Login to add to YOUR Favourites or Read Later

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Cadiz Carnival Dates

In October 2021, the Cádiz town council announced that the dates for Cádiz Carnival would be changed from the traditional late February, to early June. You should therefore check the dates of the carnival using the link below.

Whether in February or June, for 10 days, Cádiz bursts to life during its world-famous Carnival. For ten days the city celebrates with parades, music, singing, dance, food, competitions, street shows and, of course, fireworks. Visitors arrive from all over the world for this event, reputed to be the largest in Spain. The first parade, Gran Cabalgato, takes place on the first Sunday of the carnival. Ten thousand people are expected to pack the streets for the procession.

Cádiz carnival was influenced by the carnival at Venice, with which city Cádiz had much trade during the 16th century and is now considered the premier carnival in Spain. It is a party that officially last ten days but often carries on for up to three weeks. Even before the official start you will find ‘rehearsals’ on various streets with bands practising, bars overflowing onto the footpath, roads closed using impromptu barriers and costumes being tried for size. The Police cheerfully ignore such innocent fun, after all, this is the only carnival in Spain that Franco could not ban.