Do you know when Carnival takes place in Barcelona in 2025? Or how and where to celebrate it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
The dates of Carnival vary each year, depending on the lunar calendar. To find out, start with the first day of Holy Week, count back 40 days for Lent (when Carnival ends), and seven days before that marks the beginning. In 2025, Carnival will take place from 27 February to 5 March.
Get your costume ready! Prepare to dive into Barcelona’s Carnival with activities like parades, Dijous Gras, Taronjada, and traditional festive cuisine.
The tradition kicks off on Fat Thursday (Dijous Gras) with Catalan and Barcelonian gastronomy taking centre stage. Popular feasts and snacks take place in restaurants near key Carnival hotspots like Maná 75 (La Barceloneta), El Nacional (Eixample), Vinitus (Gràcia), NÜA Smart (Sarrià), and Monk (La Rambla).
The following day features events and dances that vary by location (details below).
On Carnival Saturday, the city comes alive with parades across every neighbourhood. Before Ash Wednesday, other events take place on various days, such as the King of Carnival Caravan, Taronjada, and the Grand Party (Gran Sarao).
The final day, Ash Wednesday, marks the symbolic burial of the sardine, saying goodbye to the king, indulgence, and festivity as Lent begins. This is followed by traditional snacks and light meals.
The main hub of Carnival celebrations will once again be Born, though events will also happen across Ciutat Vella, Sant Martí, Grácia and Horta Guinardó.
Download the complete program here
Here’s a breakdown of the key events:
The celebration starts on Fat Thursday with traditional dishes like omelettes and butifarra d’ou (egg sausage). In the evening at 6 PM, the King of Carnival makes his grand entrance through Plaça Reial and La Rambla, accompanied by the seven ambassadors of the city’s neighbourhoods.
The King’s parade weaves through the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, and La Boquería, ending at the Palacio de la Virreira, where he officially declares the start of the week of revelry.
On Carnival Saturday, the streets come alive with parades (rúas) in every district, each led by one of the seven ambassadors (Barcelona, Gràcia, Sant Martí, Sarrià, Les Corts, Sant Andreu, and Horta).
The ambassadors’ job is to keep the crowd entertained, spread joy, and encourage everyone to join the fun.
After seven days of revelry, the King of Carnival meets his symbolic end on Ash Wednesday, marking the transition to Lent. Each district in Barcelona holds a funeral procession, saying farewell to indulgence with a burial of the sardine.
Traditional snacks, including sardines, are served to conclude the Carnival festivities.
Carnival is the perfect excuse to set aside your diet and embrace indulgence. This week of festivities crowns traditional Catalan gastronomy as the queen of the celebration.
Head to Maná 75 to experience the culinary essence of Barcelona. Located in La Barceloneta, this restaurant is famed for its vibrant atmosphere, mouthwatering tapas, and the city’s most acclaimed paellas.
× Starter
× Main dish
× Dessert
× Coffee
Perfect to try the specialty of the house: PAELLA!
Despite all the festivities in Barcelona, the Sitges Carnival stands out as one of the top 10 carnivals in the world, renowned for its vibrancy and international appeal. It will take place during the same dates as Barcelona’s Carnival: 27 February to 5 March 2025.
At 6:00 PM on Thursday, 27 February, His Majesty King Carnestoltes I and the Queen of Sitges Carnival 2025 will kick off the celebrations with a parade full of joy and energy.
On Saturday, 1 March, one of the most beloved events of the Sitges Carnival takes place.
Sunday, 2 March, is all about the kids and families during the day, but the night is for adults to let loose.
On Tuesday, 4 March, enjoy the final grand parade of the Sitges Carnival.
As tradition dictates, the Carnival concludes with the ritual farewell to the King.
The procession begins at Paseo de la Ribera and ends at Cap de la Vila, where the “Manifiesto de la Verdura” is read, and sugar-dusted doughnuts are handed out.
The Carnival begins with the Mantones Dance, a tradition symbolising the historical ties between Europe and America. A public Mantones Dance will take place in the annex of the sports zone. A second dance, dedicated to the elderly, will be held in “La Sala” at 6:00 PM.
Although Friday marks the King’s arrival, the festivities don’t forget Fat Thursday, celebrated with:
Sunday, 2 March, is the day of the famous Comparsas. This lively event features:
The Carnival ends with the funeral procession of His Majesty the King.
On Thursday, 27 February, the Ritual Pullassu kicks off the main Carnival events in the Plaza Vella.
The event features a mix of theatrical performances, dances, and music. The highlight: The brujo Chapote leads a colourful and vibrant ceremony to “create” the King’s illegitimate son. The evening includes:
A long-standing tradition since the 1980s, where:
One of the most anticipated events, this Saturday features:
After the parade, the Terra Endins Festival continues into the night:
The Carnival concludes with the Entierro de la Sardina, Catalonia’s iconic farewell ritual.
The evening ends with the burning of the sardine, followed by a communal sardine feast at Plaza Vella.
After the sardine burial, head to Maná 75 for an elegant beachfront dining experience. Reserve your table and close the Carnival season on a high note!
× Starter
× Main dish
× Dessert
× Coffee
Perfect to try the specialty of the house: PAELLA!
