Sitges Carnival
About This Event
Sitges Carnival isn't a Pride, it's a town festival run by the council, with local clubs building the floats. Gay travellers flock to it because Sitges, 40 minutes from Barcelona, has a well-established gay scene. For one week in February, the town erupts in a frenzy of drag, costumes, and street parties.
It kicks off on Dijous Gras, the Thursday before Lent, with the arrival of the Carnival King, and wraps up on Ash Wednesday. The two main events are the parades: the Rua de la Disbauxa on Sunday night and the Rua de l'Extermini on Tuesday night. They're a spectacle, with floats, sequinned comparses, and ear-splitting noise, winding through the town centre and along the seafront. You can watch for free, but be prepared to stake out a spot early, as crowds gather quickly.
Trains from Barcelona on the Rodalies R2 Sud line are the easiest way to get in, but they're packed on parade nights and the service can be unreliable, so factor in some extra time or consider staying overnight. Book your room well in advance, as prices skyrocket for parade nights. And don't forget to pack warm clothes - February nights on the coast can be chilly.
The 2026 Carnival took place from Thursday, February 12, to Wednesday, February 18. The Extermini parade on February 17 had 38 floats and over 2,000 participants, according to Catalan News, with the council estimating over 200,000 visitors throughout the week, despite the wind, rain, and train woes. For 2027, with Easter on March 28, Ash Wednesday falls on February 10 and Dijous Gras on February 4 - check the council's programme before booking, as it hadn't been published when we last checked.
Where to stay during Sitges Carnival
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