Carnival 2025 is here, and Barcelona is bursting with parties and costumes! From February 27 to March 5, enjoy plenty of activities, parades, and traditional celebrations across the city. Here are the latest updates and the best family-friendly Carnival plans in Barcelona.

FULL PROGRAM: CARNIVAL 2025

CARNIVAL 2025 IN BARCELONA: THE BEST FAMILY PLANS

This year, the Arribo event moves to the Sants neighborhood, merging two traditions: the classic Arribo of Queen Belluga, the main event of Barcelona’s Carnival, with the Arribo of Sants, where every year, King Carnestoltes is represented by a puppet symbolizing a well-known public figure.

WHAT’S THE THEME OF BARCELONA CARNIVAL 2025?

COSMIC CARNIVAL IN BARCELONA

This year’s Arribo arrives with a mission like no other: a festive conquest on a cosmic scale. This street performance will feature stunning visuals, humor, and fun for all ages, taking Barcelona’s Carnival beyond Earth!

Queen Belluga is worried because forces of repression threaten the festival, culture, and freedom of expression. To fight back, she’s devised an extravagant plan: expand Barcelona’s Carnival beyond the planet!

KICK OFF CARNIVAL AT A NEW LOCATION: SANTS

This grand plan has been devised from a secret rooftop near Cotxeres de Sants, where the Queen wants to launch the first Carnival rocket on Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday), packed with pork crackling cakes, egg sausages, millions of masks, and boundless festive energy.

To make it happen, Queen Belluga sought the help of billionaire “Elon Muska Collonera” during an official trip to the U.S. Fascinated by her dancing, he agreed to build a high-tech spacecraft to spread Carnival beyond the Blue Planet.

On Dijous Gras (Thursday, February 27), Elon Muska Collonera will personally visit Barcelona to hand over the keys to the spaceship in a grand event at Cotxeres-Casinet Auditorium in Sants. Queen Belluga will attend, accompanied by Barcelona’s Carnival giants in a festive yet formal event.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 – DIJOUS GRAS PROGRAM

🔹 17:15 h – The event kicks off with a batucada in Plaça Benet i Moixí to set the mood.
🔹 17:45 h – The Arrival Ceremony starts at Cotxeres de Sants Auditorium with a performance by Robert Gobern’s company, featuring King Carnestoltes, Elon Muska Collonera.
🔹 18:20 h – Queen Belluga arrives at Cotxeres, beginning the official handover of the rocket’s keys.
🔹 18:30 h – A street performance created by Sergi Ots, featuring Queen Belluga and her float parading through Sants.
📍 Route: Creu Coberta – Cotxeres de Sants / Pg. Sant Antoni / Creu Coberta / District Headquarters – OAC.
🔹 19:00 h – Parade finale and closing ceremony with the traditional Taronjada (a confetti rain) in front of the District Headquarters.

CARNIVAL PARADES & STREET PARTIES

As every year, Barcelona’s neighborhoods come alive with an array of activities, including parades for kids and adults, workshops at civic centers, costume parties, and street performances. The festivities will take place from February 27 to March 5, with varying schedules depending on the location. Events will be held across all neighborhoods and are open to all ages, completely free of charge.

Check all neighborhood parades here: CARNIVAL 2025.

THE SARDINE BURIAL: THE END OF CARNIVAL

The party must come to an end. As Wednesday is a day of mourning, as King Carnestoltes and Queen Belluga “pass away”, marking the start of Lent’s forty days.

In neighborhoods across the city, locals gather for funeral processions, mourning their beloved Carnival rulers before saying goodbye with the traditional “Sardine Burial”, accompanied by communal meals featuring lots of sardines.

If you want to bid farewell to Carnival in style, check out the full Sardine Burial program.

FULL PROGRAM: CARNIVAL 2025