Cadiz Carnival 2025 all you need to know about this event
Cadiz Carnival 2025 – recognised as of International Tourist Interest
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to take part in the Cadiz Carnival 2025 :
- A few words about Cadiz
- The 2025 carnival dates
- The Carnival programme
- Booking accommodation
- Activities in Cadiz
- Some useful links (car, ideas for visits…)
- Great ferias of Andalusia
A few words about Cadiz
Cadiz is known as the oldest city in Europe. It was founded more than 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians. Coming to Cadiz during Carnival is also an opportunity to visit a beautiful city.
During Carnival, the beaches of Cadiz are also the ideal place to relax and admire the magnificent sunsets.
Cadiz Carnival dates 2025
Here are the dates of the carnival: from 27 February to 9 March 2025.
The origins of Cadiz Carnival
Like many other carnivals, this Carnival, recognised as being of International Tourist Interest, has very ancient origins.
Its oldest origins are Roman (the Bacchanalia, festivals in honour of Bacchus) and Greek (the Saturnalia, festivals in honour of the god Saturn). However, specialists agree that the carnival originated in Christianity. It was used to counterbalance difficult periods such as Lent.
It also has Italian influences, with the arrival of the Genoese in Cadiz in the 15th century. The masks and the throwing of confetti (sweets) have been likened to the Italian carnival, as has the importance of dancing during these festive days. The oldest official record of Cadiz Carnival dates back to 1632.
Cadiz Carnival – 2024 poster :
There are four types of carnival troupes: Coros, Comparsas, Chirigotas and Cuartetos, with some distinctions between them. These are all carnival troupes, and they compete against each other in a competition held at the Gran Falla Theatre in the city centre.
They each have their own costume – tipos – and their own song made up of social satire, political criticism and jokes. The theme of the songs is the news of the past year.
Note: the songs are sung in their local version, so it’s even difficult for Spaniards and even Andalusians to understand everything 🙂 .
The 2025 Cadiz carnival programme
During these 11 days of festivities you can enjoy many festivities and the incredible humour of the gaditanos – inhabitants of Cadiz – such as during :
Cabalgatas, street parades
There will be 2 parades during Carnival.
The traditional parade with 9 floats, on Sunday 2 March, on the theme of different carnivals around the world:
- Cadiz Carnival – featuring this year’s ‘crier’, singer Antoñito Molina -,
- the Tenerife carnival
- Rio de Janeiro Carnival (Brazil),
- Venice Carnival (Italy),
- Barranquilla Carnival (Colombia),
- Nice Carnival (France),
- Cologne Carnival (Germany)
- New Orleans Carnival (United States)
- and a tenth for…. Dios Momo
A new feature for 2025 will be the presence of a group of musicians on one of the floats, the New Orleans float.
La Cabalgata del Humor – humour parade –
This Cabalgata is dedicated to the characters of Cadiz Carnival. It will consist of 5 floats and will take place on Saturday 8 March.
COAC: the official competition for Cadiz carnival groups, held at the Gran Teatro Falla.
Popular and culinary events in squares in the city centre:
- Pestiñada popular: pestinos (pastries) to discover
- Erizada popular: teddy bears on offer for tasting
- Ostionada popular: oysters for tasting
- Gambada popular: prawns for tasting
- Mejillonada popular: mussels for tasting
On Sunday 9 March 2025, you can enjoy three local gastronomic events 🙂
– Frito Popular Gaditano,
– the Gran Berza Carnavalesca
– the Pinchada Popular
NB: many thanks to my friend Pat Alga for sharing her photos taken in the streets of Cadiz.
In this following video, the comparsas of the 2024 competition are presented:
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Plaza del Falla
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Plaza de Fragela
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Glorieta Ana Orantes
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Plaza de San Antonio.
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Barrio de la Viña
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Plaza Candelaria
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Plaza de San Agustín
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Plaza de San Francisco
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Plaza de El Mentidero
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Barrio de Santa María
Book accommodation in Cadiz
To book accommodation in the centre of Cádiz at the best price, it’s advisable to book well in advance.
Book activities in Cadiz
Some useful links for coming to and staying in Cádiz for a few days
Easy and economical bookings
In the province of Cadiz, there are many villages, beaches and towns worth visiting. Among them, the town of Tarifa is well worth a visit for its history and atmosphere.
The great ferias of Andalucia:
2025 Malaga Fair in August
Seville Feria 2025 in May
2025 Romeria El Rocio pilgrimage in June
2025 Courtyards Festival of Cordoba in May
Jerez 2025 Horse Fair in May
2025 Spring Fair in Antequera, in June
Ronda Fair Romantica, in May
Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalusia blog pages.
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