The Alternative Carnival Guide for First Timers!
Are you ready to dive into the vibrant world of carnivals? If the thought of navigating the large crowds at the most famous festivities seems daunting, you’re in the right place.
Carnaval de Águilas
When is the 2025 Carnival in Águilas?
The Carnaval de Águilas will occur from February 22, 2025, to March 21, 2025.
Where is the Carnival in Águilas celebrated?
The Carnaval de Águilas is celebrated in Águilas. A town on the southeastern coast of Spain, situated in the region of Murcia.
What is the Carnival in Águilas?
The Carnaval de Águilas marks the last festive hurrah before the solemn period of Lent, offering an ideal opportunity to indulge in merriment and revelry. This lively celebration is a perfect occasion to unwind, embrace your eccentric side, and immerse yourself in days of carefree enjoyment. The carnival is characterized by extravagant outfits, vibrant processions, energetic street festivities, and captivating musical performances. The town comes alive with color, grandeur, and beauty during the four significant parades held on Carnival Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday, along with Piñata Saturday (the weekend following the main Carnival event). As night descends, the area around Plaza de España becomes a bustling hub of activity, especially on Carnival Monday, as people adorn themselves with costumes and masks.
What to Expect at Carnival in Águilas?
Several notable aspects define the festivities, such as the playful cascarones de confeti (confetti-filled eggs thrown during the celebrations) and cuerva, a traditional beverage crafted from wine and fruit. Notably, the paper costume competition has gained popularity in recent years, showcasing dazzling disguises crafted entirely from paper.
Here’s what you can expect during Águilas Carnaval:
Paper Lantern Parade
A visually captivating event where participants carry illuminated lanterns through the town.
Drag Queen Gala
A highly anticipated event is the Drag Queen Gala, where contestants showcase elaborate and glamorous drag performances. This gala is known for its entertainment value and the creativity of the participants.
Eggs Battle
A unique and fun tradition involving mock battles with eggshells filled with confetti.
Grand Parades
Extravagant processions feature vibrant floats, stunning costumes, and energetic dance performances, with participants competing for prizes.
Carnival Royalty
Carnival kings, queens, and muses are crowned in a spectacular ceremony, adding a regal touch to the festivities.
Carnival Queen Gala
In addition to the Drag Queen Gala, there is a separate gala to crown the Queen of the Carnival. This event features a spectacular show with music, dance, and the presentation of the contestants.
Chirigotas and Comparsas
These are musical and satirical performances by local groups, often parodying social and political topics.
The Burial of the Sardine
This symbolic event marks the end of the carnival, featuring a solemn yet humorous procession where a sardine effigy is burned.
Carnaval de Águilas Schedule
Release of the Mussona
Date: Feb 27, 2025
Location: Plaza de España
The annual Mussona ritual in Águilas involves the release of the Mussona, a symbolic beast, from the Castle of San Juan. During the ceremony, the outgoing Mussona transfers her power to the incoming one, and the Musician-Tamer attempts to control the beast using a tambourine. The unpredictable Mussona is guided through the town, creating a lively spectacle, and the ritual concludes in Plaza de España with the taming of the Mussona, symbolizing the renewal of the commitment to the oldest carnival in Águilas, marked by a grand fireworks display.
Children’s battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma
Date: Feb 28, 2025
Location: Plaza de España
In the months leading up to the festivities, families in the city start collecting eggshells, which are later adorned with vibrant colors or covered in colorful tissue paper. These decorated eggshells filled with confetti, referred to as Los Cascarones, play a central role (as the weapons) in the playful battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma.
Battle between Doña Cuaresma and Don Carnal
Date: Mar 1, 2025
Location: Plaza de España
Los Cascarones (decorated eggshells) represent a significant carnival custom. The entire square becomes a spectacle of confetti as participants engage in a lively and colorful eggshell battle, adding a fun and festive dimension to the carnival celebration.
First Grand Parade
Date: Mar 2, 2025
Location: Avenida Juan Carlos I y Calle Rey Carlos III
The carnival parade with troupes and floats transforms the streets into a dazzling spectacle, as vibrant troupes clad in elaborate costumes dance to lively music, and intricately decorated floats add a touch of grandeur to the festivities.
Second Grand Parade
Date: Mar 4, 2025
Location: Avenida Juan Carlos I y Calle Rey Carlos III
In this lively carnival parade, energetic troupes showcase a myriad of dance styles, from traditional to contemporary, while colorful floats adorned with thematic decorations roll through the streets, creating a vibrant and captivating procession.
Grand Parade
Date: Mar 8, 2025
Location: Avenida Juan Carlos I y Calle Rey Carlos III
The carnival festival ends with a dynamic parade featuring exuberant troupes performing choreographed routines and imaginative floats adorned with vibrant hues and thematic designs, captivating onlookers with a visual feast of creativity and celebration.
Need help planning a trip to the Carnival in Águilas? Contact us here
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