Spain is a country with a well known Catholic tradition. The carnival is, therefore, celebrated before the 40 days of Lent as a way to let loose before the prohibitions of the upcoming religious holidays. Most Andalucian towns stage some kind of parade, and there is usually a dance and a "Carnival Queen" contest.
 The Carnival centres around Shrove Tuesday, which takes place:
- 2011 March 3rd
- 2012 February 16th
- 2013 February 7th
- 2014 February 27th
Most towns celebrate the carnival with processions either the weekend before or after these dates. Cities and larger towns have festivities lasting all week or longer.
The carnival is a "fiesta of the people". It is a reaction against abstentions and prohibitions of all types. Just submerging yourself in the carnival celebrations is enough to make you feel the dramatic break with social order that carnival goers achieve. It is also an opportunity to let go of all inhibitions and to help out in this department, everyone is encouraged to wear masks and fancy dress.
 Hardly surprisingly, during the Spanish Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. And after the war, of course, there was still much opposition to the Carnival, so Franco abolished it once again from 1937.
However, in true Spanish style, the celebrations continued in Cadiz and some other towns namely:
Find out more about carnivals in Andalucia:
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Cadiz Carnival is the liveliest and most dazzling carnival town in mainland Spain.
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In addition to the world famous Cádiz carnival you will also find celebrations throughout the province of Cádiz as well as the other seven provinces of Andalucia
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