In February, Barcelona dresses up. For a week, a grotesque king takes power, neighbourhoods parade in costume, a shower of orange confetti rains down on the crowd… and it all ends with the burial of a sardine. In 2027, Carnival runs from Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February. And 40 minutes away by train, Sitges throws the wildest carnival in Catalonia.
At a glance
| Dates | Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027 |
| Opening | Dijous Gras (Thursday 4): King Carnestoltes arrives |
| Parades | The weekend of 6–7 February, in the neighbourhoods |
| The end | Ash Wednesday (10 February): burial of the sardine |
| The biggest | Sitges, with its Sunday and Tuesday night parades |
| Price | Free |
Dijous Gras, an opening you eat
Carnival begins on Fat Thursday, a day Catalans celebrate first and foremost… at the table. It’s the day of coca de llardons (a flat pastry with pork crackling and pine nuts), botifarra d’ou (egg sausage) and the truita: many schools and families head out for a picnic with a Spanish omelette. Every bakery in town fills its window with cocas that day.
King Carnestoltes and the Taronjada
On the evening of Fat Thursday, King Carnestoltes, a pot-bellied prankster, makes his entrance into the city. For a week he “rules” Barcelona and declares the reign of partying. His arrival ends with the Taronjada: a huge battle of orange confetti and balloons, a nod to the orange-throwing of old.
Every year a different district hosts the King’s arrival and the Taronjada (Sants in 2026). The 2027 venue is announced by the city in January — we’ll update our Events page.
Neighbourhood parades
Over the weekend (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February in 2027), each neighbourhood holds its own rua, a costume parade: schools, local groups, brass bands and home-made floats. It’s the locals’ carnival, popular and family-friendly. The best-attended are often in Sants, Gràcia and Poblenou. No booking needed: dress up and follow the parade.
The burial of the sardine
On Ash Wednesday (10 February), Carnival dies… in style. A mock funeral procession, complete with fake widows in tears, escorts a sardine to its “grave”. King Carnestoltes says goodbye, and grilled sardines are often shared. End of the party, start of Lent.
Sitges, Catalonia’s wildest carnival
40 minutes by train from Barcelona, the seaside town of Sitges hosts Catalonia’s most famous carnival, with a hugely festive atmosphere and a big LGBTQ+ tradition. Two nights not to miss:
- The Rua de la Disbauxa, on Sunday night (7 February in 2027): around fifty floats, feathers and sequins along the seafront.
- The Rua de l’Extermini, on Tuesday night (9 February in 2027): the same parade, even wilder, with street parties until morning.
Getting there: R2 Sud train from Passeig de Gràcia or Sants. On parade nights, trains are packed: leave early and check return times (extra trains usually run on those nights).
Practical tips
- Costume is compulsory — almost. A single accessory is enough to blend in.
- For neighbourhood parades, arrive half an hour before the start for a good spot, especially with kids.
- For Sitges, book accommodation very early if you want to stay over: the town is full months ahead.
- Watch out for pickpockets in the Sitges crowds, as at any big gathering.
- Carnival isn’t a public holiday: shops, museums and restaurants stay open.
What else is on around Carnival?
February also brings Santa Eulàlia (12 February), Barcelona’s winter festival with giants and human towers, and the Llum BCN light festival in Poblenou. All the dates are on our Events page, and this week’s free parties on Free parties.
A stag do, hen party or night out with friends during Carnival? Start the evening behind a bar: book the BPM Bar sangria & cocktail workshop — costumes welcome.