Bad weather and cold won’t ruin the celebration of Carnival in Barcelona. These are the plans, activities and parties you can’t miss.
Suit up! Carnival in Barcelona happens from February 8th to 14th and it’s gonna be legendary! The celebration begins with the arrival of the Carnival king to the city. His name is Carnestoltes and once he reaches City Council’s plaza, the party starts up.
Carnival in Barcelona is a participative time, adapted to the personality of each district. These are the parties, events and family activities that will be held in La Rambla and its surroundings.
King Carnestoltes reception and Taronjada
Transgressor, provocative, party lover … This is King Carnestoltes, the one who inaugurates Carnival in Barcelona. It’s happening on Thursday, February 8th, at Plaça de Sant Jaume (City Council’s plaza). This year, famous Comediants theater company is performing a show called No mask no Carnival. It will be full of color, acrobatics and music. Therefore, they will distribute masks among the attendees to join the party. The event will close with traditional taronjada, that is, a battle of balloons and confetti that recalls Medieval battles of oranges, which were banned in 1333.
Omelet Contest in the Raval and Santa Caterina Market
First day of Carnival in Barcelona is known as Dijous gras (Fatty Thursday). It is a day devoted to gastronomy. It is a tradition eating butifarra with eggs, sardines or fritters. What is more, both El Raval neighborhood and  Santa Caterina market organize an omelet contest in which, of course, it’d be possible to taste the products.
Carnavalassu parades
On Saturday, February 10th, the Carnavalassu is celebrated. That is, Carnival parades that flood the streets with music, dances and costumes. The Gothic Quarter is one of the most popular in Barcelona, organizing shows for both children and adults.
Ash Wednesday
The Carnival in Barcelona ends (officially) on Wednesday, February 14th,  with the burial of King Carnestoltes or the sardine. It is celebrated every year in an emblematic space of Barcelona. This time it will be at Sants market and will settle with a popular sardine at Bonet i Muixà square.
Ravalstoltada
If you haven’t had enough Carnival in Barcelona, pay attention. On February 17th El Raval neighborhood celebrates its own party called Ravalstoltada. It starts at 1:00 PM with a popular paella and continues at 4:30 p.m. with a parade that will run along the Rambla del Raval. Everything ends with a batucada in the square of Folch i Torres, near the Columbus Monument.
