Carnival 2024 is here, and Barcelona is filled with parties and costumes. From Thursday, February 8th, to Wednesday, February 14th, you can enjoy many activities, parades, and traditional festivities in the city. Here are the best plans to do with kids during Carnival in Barcelona. Oh! And if you still don’t have a costume, check out our post with some of the best costume shops in Barcelona.
FULL PROGRAM: CARNIVAL 2024
THE BEST CARNIVAL PLANS WITH KIDS IN BARCELONA
During these festive days, there are different celebrations and activities in Barcelona and its surroundings. There are traditional proposals, others innovative, and we leave you with the most outstanding activities of the Carnival in Barcelona.
THE MOST TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL IN BARCELONA
DIJOUS GRAS, L’ARRIBADA I LA TARONJADA
El dijous grasis the day traditionally devoted to eating egg sausage, omelet, and ‘llardons’ pastries. Besides, it marks the beginning of Carnival with the arrival of King Carnestoltes.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, «L’ARRIBO»:
The party starts on Thursday, February 8th, Fat Thursday, when Queen Belluga and her entourage of seven ambassadors are received at the doors of the Palau de la Virreina. La Rambla gets ready to become the center of attention for an afternoon. But… Not everything will be so easy… the queen has lost the festive spirit, the essence of transgression, recklessness, and mischief. Fearing to hurt sensitivities, offend, or be misunderstood, her majesty can’t find the meaning of her existence. This year, the celebration will review the colors of Carnival and will feature live mural painting. Also, there will be a DJ playing music at every moment of the afternoon.
Day: Thursday, February 8, 2024. Time: at 18:10h. Location: La Rambla to the Palau de la Virreina. Ages: all. Price: free.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8: ¡LA TARONJADA!
Finally, the most awaited plan arrives: ¡La Taronjada! An event documented since 1333 when the Consell de Cent prohibited the throwing of oranges. Now, however, no one will spoil the party, and music and dancing will fill the Palau de la Virreina in this battle of orange confetti that will end with a fireworks display! ¡La Taronjada!: when the procession walk ends, a great show is organized, the traditional ¡La Taronjada!, and fireworks display. A festive culmination to celebrate the beginning of Carnival. Location: Palau de la Virreina.
FULL PROGRAM: CARNIVAL 2024
PARADES AND CARNIVAL PROCESSIONS
As every year, Carnival comes to life at the neighborhood level: a large number of workshops, parades for children and adults, and many, many more activities are organized. Get your costumes out and get ready for lots of fun, troupes, floats, and a lot of excitement. It’s worth taking a look because there are family workshops at civic centers, costume parties, and many plans.
Days: from February 8 to February 14, 2024. Timings: various. Locations: in all neighborhoods, check the full program here. Ages: all. Price: Free.
MORE INFORMATION: COMPLETE PROGRAM CARNIVAL 2024 IN BARCELONA
OTHER CARNIVALS IN CATALONIA YOU CAN’T MISS
SITGES CARNIVAL
Sitges Carnival 2024 will take place from February 16, which will be Fat Thursday, until Wednesday, February 22, with the Burial of His Majesty King Carnestoltes (Ash Wednesday). Famous for its parades, processions, parties, and the multitude of acts and events that make Sitges Carnival one of the top 10 in the world. The carnival parades have scheduled times: SUNDAY, February 11, 2024: at 12:00 p.m. for the children’s parade and at 7:30 p.m. for the adults’ parade. TUESDAY, February 13, 2024: at 12:00 p.m. for the children’s parade and at 9:00 p.m. for the adults’ parade. The route will be from Avenida Sofia (opposite Pic Nic) to Cap de la Vila. Check all the events and activities in Sitges during Carnival 2024.
VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ CARNIVAL
One of the richest festivities in symbolism and rituals, thanks to its 300 years of history. It all starts on Fat Thursday with a traditional ‘xatonada’ and a massive collective battle where everyone ends up completely covered in meringue. On Friday, King Carnestoltes arrives, always in a different corner of the town, while Saturday is Caramel Day, a less sharp monarch than the previous one and more beloved by children. The Comparsas parade on Sunday morning attracts thousands of people to the town square, eager to start the famous candy war. Monday afternoon is the time to pay attention to the Carnestoltes Choirs, humorous critiques of the current moment. The Vidalot Dance is another essential date for Vilanova’s carnival enthusiasts. And the next day, on Ash Wednesday, the remains of His Majesty are honored with a funeral procession that will surprise you enormously. Dates: from February 8 to February 14. More information: Vilanova i la Geltrú Carnival
VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDÉS CARNIVAL
The welcoming festivity for King Carnestoltes is organized during the afternoon of Fat Thursday. Accompanied by his Royal Court, composed of extravagant and fun characters, they take possession of the town hall. From the balcony, “the King of the Tarambanas” delivers a proclamation authorizing the change of the established order and then requests that they serve him blood sausage. Yes, you read it correctly… With these precise words, the cunning Carnestoltes invites everyone to enjoy a delicious snack with egg sausage! If you prefer to approach the capital of wine on Saturday, you will love the visit that the King and his entourage make to the market, where they have fun buying melons and bananas. And on Friday, after the sardine’s burial, the Resurrection Parade arrives: undoubtedly, the most popular parade in Alt Penedès. Dates: from February 8 to February 16. More information: Vilafranca del Penedés Carnival.
TORELLÓ CARNIVAL
The well-known “Inland Carnival” encompasses all the characteristic elements of the celebration but also presents some that are unique and hard to find elsewhere. An example is the Mula Tita, a figure from the bestiary in the form of a large phallus that parades during the Pullassu parade. There is also the Falatell, a mystical stick with infinite powers that must be discovered to immerse yourself in a truly extravagant Carnival. And we cannot overlook the Night of Young Ladies and Little Men, a massive gender reversal procession where men dress as women and women as men. More info: Torelló Carnival.
