Carnival, fun and spectacle.
Sitges Carnival is renowned for its elaborate displays and tremendous popularity, turning the tranquil streets of Sitges into bustling rivers of people for a few days. This vibrant, colorful celebration, filled with masks, costumes, and parades, epitomizes joy, fun, and unleashed madness, making it one of Catalonia's most emblematic and iconic carnivals.
Sitgetans actively and passionately participate in the Carnival, organizing themselves into "collas" to present the result of months of dedicated work in meticulous carnival preparation with great enthusiasm. The competition among these groups raises the bar for imagination and creativity, keeping alive this grand celebration of music, light, and color.
Sitges Carnival 2024 will take place from Thursday, February 8, to Wednesday, February 14. During the seven days of festivities, a wide variety of events, dances, parades, and parties are scheduled.
How is Carnival celebrated in Sitges?
Even a few days before the official start of Carnival, Sitges hosts some festive activities such as the Masters Xatonaires de Sitges Contest, the Grand Quinto Carnavaler, or the Drag Queen Gala.
Carnival festivities kick off on Maundy Thursday with the "Arribo," marking the arrival of His Majesty Carnestoltes and the presentation of the Carnival Queen of Sitges, accompanied by spectacular fireworks by the sea.
From then on, life in Sitges adopts a new rhythm that fills the streets during these seven days of Carnival. An intense week full of celebrations and events, including popular Xatonades organized by different entities in Sitges, the Rua d'Antes, a parade evoking nostalgia and past times, visits to schools and the Municipal Market open to the public, and the Cursa de llits, a hilarious race of decorated beds that circulates through the city.
The highlights of Carnival are La "Rua de la Disbauxa" on Sunday night and La "Rua de l'Extermini" on Tuesday night, where about forty floats and more than 2,000 participants make Sitges vibrate until the last breath.
The youngest members also have their space, as on Sunday and Tuesday, the Children's Carnaval Rúas take place in Sitges.
Finally, at sunset on Ash Wednesday, Sitges bids farewell to the carnivals until the next year. In the Burial of the Sardine, mourners dressed in black lament the end of this grand celebration.
Remember that the Hotel Calipolis is the ideal choice to enjoy this unforgettable celebration, with a privileged location that allows you to experience these unique carnivals from the front row. The parades of the Rua de la Disbauxa and Rua de l'Extermini begin right in front of the hotel, on Avenida Sofía.
