The Sitges Carnival is undoubtedly the queen of carnivals in Catalonia. Compared to the centrality of the Barcelona carnival, the Sitges carnival claims to be one of the most festive and fun in the country. Perhaps because of its maritime spirit, perhaps because of the city’s love of fun… There is no clear reason, but the fact is that the costume party in the town of Garraf is one of the most entertaining.
One of the charms of this coastal carnival is that the festivities last longer. Whereas in most cities the big days (and nights) are celebrated at the weekend, in Sitges the main celebration takes place just two days before Ash Wednesday, as if the locals wanted to make the most of the last few hours before the end of thedisbauxa.
Photo: BearPhotos
Those who know the Sitges Carnival have always ignored the weekend and headed to the coastal town on Tuesday night to celebrate the Rua del Extermini (the name already gives away what’s to come), before returning to their duties on Wednesday, shaking off the last traces of their costume makeup, with tired eyes but smiles on their faces.
If you’ve already been infected by the carnival spirit and can’t wait for the best week of the year to arrive, we bring you the highlights of the Sitges Carnival program, so you can enjoy the best days of the craziest party of the year to the fullest, right by the sea.
Sitges Carnival Program 2026
Photo: Elena Rostunova
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
9:00 a.m. – Visit to Sitges schools and residences
His Majesty Carnestoltes I and the Queen of Carnival visit schools, nurseries, and community centers.
- Morning tour: IES Vinyet, Maria Ossó, British School Bcn, IES Joan Ramon Benaprès, Miquel Utrillo, Llar d’infants El Cercolet, Agnès de Sitges, Ave Maria.
- Afternoon tour: La Moixiganga nursery, Esteve Barrachina, Escola Pia Sitges, Les Magnòlies nursing home, Sant Joan Baptista Hospital, Casals Gent Gran.
- Note: The Sitges Park residence will be visited on Saturday 14 at 2 pm.
7 pm – Rua de Antes (Pre-event entertainment in Cap de la Vila)
Start of the parade for the most nostalgic. Music by Nyora Records.
8:00 p.m. – Start of the Rua de Antes
- Time: Until 10:30 p.m.
- Route: Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera, to the swings.
- Entertainment: Markatú, Tropical Sound, and LolaVan.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
10:30 a.m. – Visit to the Municipal Market
Visit by His Majesty Carnestoltes and the Queen of Carnival with their entourages.
11:00 a.m. – Costumed bed race (pre-race entertainment)
- Location: Cap de la Vila.
- Rua de les Estrelles: Route along Àngel Vidal, Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Illa de Cuba, Sant Gaudenci, and Sant Francesc. Entertainment by Tropical Sound.
- Organized by: No K-lia, Colla Huertos, and Enigma.
12:00 p.m. – Start of the Bed Race
- Starting point: Casino Prado.
- Route: Francesc Gumà, Jesús, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pau, Passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pere, Parellades, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera to the swings.
- Participants: Carnival Queen, Children’s Queen, S.M. Carnestoltes, and BKT Brass Band.
- Organized by: Casino Prado.
3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Baile del Fardo
- Location: Plaça Catalunya.
- Performances: “La Banda del Fardo” and local DJs.
- Organized by: Barraques de Sitges.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Fardo afternoon “I fardo, you fardo!”
- Location: Passeig de la Ribera (swing area).
- Music: DJs Trifasica.
6:00 p.m. – Tequereque Festa
- Location: Cap de la Vila.
- Route: Cap de la Vila, Sant Francesc, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Bonaire, Joan Tarrida, Plaça Indústria, Marquès de Montroig, Parellades, and Cap de la Vila.
- Organized by: Markatú Batucada.
9:00 p.m. – Xatonada and Carousel
- Location: Teatre Prado.
- 9:00 p.m.: Xatonada.
- 10:30 p.m.: Show “Carrusel: We’re coming home!”
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
12:00 p.m. – Children’s Parade
- Route: Departure from Av. Sofia, Passeig de la Ribera (sea side) to the Greco statue, return via Passeig de la Ribera (mountain side), Bassa Rodona, Plaça del Pou Vedre, Espalter, Sant Francesc, and Cap de la Vila.
3:00 p.m. – Carnival dance before the parade
Location: Passeig de la Ribera (swing area).
7:30 p.m. – Rua de la Disbauxa
- Preview (6:00 p.m.): Entertainment by the Markatú batucada from Plaça Can Bota to the starting point.
- Route: Starting at Av. Sofia, Passeig de la Ribera (sea), La Fragata, Passeig de la Ribera (mountain), Bassa Rodona, Plaça del Pou Vedre, Espalter, Sant Francesc, and Cap de la Vila.
12:00 a.m. – Disbauxa dance
Location: Teatre Prado (for members and colles).
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
5:30 p.m. – Children’s snack
Location: Teatre Prado (By invitation).
As we mentioned, after the weekend, one of the most intense events takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when the people of Sitges join in the Rua de l’Extermini, with floats and groups in costume parading through the city and filling it with festivities.
Throughout Tuesday night, the entire city is a party, with all the streets filled with dancing until dawn. Survivors can come on Wednesday afternoon to mourn and lament the death of King Carnestoltes, bid him farewell at his funeral chapel, and bury him at La Fragata Beach.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
12:00 p.m. – Children’s Parade
- Route: Same itinerary as Sunday (Av. Sofia to Cap de la Vila).
9:00 p.m. – Rua del Extermini
- Preview (7:30 p.m.): Entertainment by the Markatú batucada from Plaça Can Bota to the starting point.
- Route: Departure from Av. Sofia, Passeig de la Ribera (sea), La Fragata, Passeig de la Ribera (mountain), Bassa Rodona, Plaça del Pou Vedre, Espalter, Sant Francesc, and Cap de la Vila.
12:00 a.m. – Extermini Dance
Location: Teatre Prado (For members and colles).
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
4:00 p.m. – Coffee, drinks, and cigars!
Location: La Cantina de El Retiro.
7:00 p.m. – Burial of His Majesty Carnestoltes I
- Departure: Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
- Route: Carrer Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, Passeig de la Ribera, La Fragata.
Arrival of Mrs. Quaresma (At the end of the burial)
- Departure: La Fragata.
- Route: Passeig de la Ribera, Bonaire, Parellades, and Cap de la Vila (reading of the manifesto).
- Organized by: La Saca.
9:00 p.m. – Closing ceremonies
- El Retiro: Ash Wednesday Xatonada.
- Casino Prado: Closing ceremony (invitation only).
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
9:30 p.m. – Show “Carrusel: We’re coming home!”
Venue: Teatre Prado. Tickets at
www.casinoprado.cat.
Closing dinner of the Independent Carnival Group
Traditional farewell dinner for the independent colles (Saturday, February 21).