The Carnival de Cadiz 2012

The Carnival de Cadiz 2012 – Where laughter is king….

The ancient and aesthetically stunning walled city of Cadiz is home to mainland Spain’s premier carnival. In early March, this usually tranquil yet atmospheric town in southern Andalucia is transformed into an effervescent scene of colour, laughter, music and spectacle, as life within these ancient walls really heats up.

So significant and vital to the legacy of the town is the Cadiz Carnival that residents and officials close down many parts of the city a full month prior to the beginning of the event in order to prepare. Comedy and music is at the heart of this carnival and rehearsing for the comedies, musicals and plays is taken extremely seriously in the run up to the carnival de Cadiz, with many performers working hard all year round to perfect their act.

‘Going Loco’ applies to everyone who attends the festival, with men, women and children of all ages, dressing themselves in crazy costumes, wigs and makeup as they run wild through Cadiz’s many quant and charming streets until daylight embarks on this fascinating town. Satire and laughter epitomises the carnival de Cadiz, and even if you cannot speak the language, you will be guaranteed to be in stitches as the spectacles and performances unfold.

Parades, naturally adorn the streets throughout the carnival, but the three parades not to be missed are the ‘Great Parade’, which takes place on the first Sunday of the event, the ‘charangas ilegales’, whereby locals sought to ‘out-sing’ and ‘out-laugh’ the professional performers and comedians, and lastly, the ‘Comedy Parade’, which is held on the last weekend of the carnival.

If this doesn’t leave you breathless enough, the whole event is accompanied with fireworks, activities for children and all the family, food and drink on every corner and an abundance of open-air parties.

To experience a ‘party like no other’ be sure to attend carnival de Cadiz 2012 between March 3 and March 13.