WHAT IS IT?
This riotous, raucous, annual ten-day celebration of music and humour is what Cadiz looks forward to all year. It's the biggest carnival on mainland Spain (top spot nationally is taken by Gran Canaria's). Dating back to the 16th century, it was the only carnival which Franco couldn't ban.
You can see processions, concerts, comedians, children's shows (puppet theatre) and fireworks, as well as plenty of spontaneous singing in the street. Dance, drink, laugh, make merry and enjoy Spain's biggest party with the famously witty Gaditanos. Saturdays are when people arrive from all over in groups of fancy dress, and the streets are thronged with thousands of ribald revellers all night long - not for the faint-hearted.
The other, more intellectual highlight of Carnaval is the satirical singing groups which compete in a prestigious contest.
Like Rio, Notting Hill, Gran Canaria and other world-renowned carnivals, as soon as it's all over (well, after a well-earned rest), the people start planning for the next one, with the famous singing groups (below) spending as much as six months preparing their performances and costumes.
WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
Carnaval starts the weekend before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The singing competition takes place over the three weeks before Carnival starts, with the grand final on the day (always a Friday) before Carnival starts officially.
