Cadiz Carnival 2026 – all you need to know about this event

Cadiz Carnival 2026 – recognised as of International Tourist Interest

In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to take part in the Cadiz Carnival 2026 :

• A few words about Cadiz
• The 2026 carnival dates
• The Carnival programme
• Booking accommodation
• Activities in Cadiz
• Some useful links (car, ideas for visits…)
• Great ferias of Andalusia

A few words about Cadiz

Cadiz is known as the oldest city in Europe. It was founded more than 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians. Coming to Cadiz during Carnival is also an opportunity to visit a beautiful city.

During Carnival, the beaches of Cadiz are also the ideal place to relax and admire the magnificent sunsets.

Cadiz Carnival dates 2026

Here are the dates of the carnival: from 12 to 22 February 2026.

The origins of Cadiz Carnival

Like many other carnivals, this Carnival, recognised as being of International Tourist Interest, has very ancient origins.

Its oldest origins are Roman (the Bacchanalia, festivals in honour of Bacchus) and Greek (the Saturnalia, festivals in honour of the god Saturn). However, specialists agree that the carnival originated in Christianity. It was used to counterbalance difficult periods such as Lent.

It also has Italian influences, with the arrival of the Genoese in Cadiz in the 15th century. The masks and the throwing of confetti (sweets) have been likened to the Italian carnival, as has the importance of dancing during these festive days. The oldest official record of Cadiz Carnival dates back to 1632.

Cadiz Carnival – 2024 poster :

There are four types of carnival troupes: Coros, Comparsas, Chirigotas and Cuartetos, with some distinctions between them. These are all carnival troupes, and they compete against each other in a competition held at the Gran Falla Theatre in the city centre.

They each have their own costume – tipos – and their own song made up of social satire, political criticism and jokes. The theme of the songs is the news of the past year.

Note: the songs are sung in their local version, so it’s even difficult for Spaniards and even Andalusians to understand everything 🙂 .

The 2026 Cadiz carnival programme

During these 11 days of festivities you can enjoy many festivities and the incredible humour of the gaditanos – inhabitants of Cadiz – such as during :

Cabalgatas, street parades

There will be 2 parades during Carnival.

The theme of the 2026 Cadiz Carnival parade on Sunday 15 February will be fairy tales and films:

In addition to the three floats dedicated to the herald of the 2026 Cadiz Carnival (comedian Manu Sánchez), the children’s herald and the god Momo, the floats will be:

• ‘The Little Mermaid’,
• ‘Finding Nemo’ or ‘Aquaman, Atlantis’,
• ‘Abyssal, in the depths’,
• ‘The Andaman Sea’
• ‘The bottom of the sea’.

La Cabalgata del Humor – humour parade –

This Cabalgata is dedicated to the characters of Cadiz Carnival. It will consist of 5 floats.

Key dates for the start of the 2026 Cadiz Carnival programme

– COAC 2026 Grand Final: Friday 13th February at the Gran Teatro Falla.
– Proclamation of Carnival: Saturday 14th February in the Plaza de San Antonio.
– Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday 15th February.

COAC: the official competition for Cadiz carnival groups, held at the Gran Teatro Falla.

Popular and culinary events leading up to Carnival, in squares in the city centre:

– Pestiñada Popular (pastries). Saturday 10 January from 9.30 pm in Plaza Fragela, as a prelude to the official Carnival Group Competition, which will begin the following day.

– Sunday 25 January with the Ostionada Popular (oysters), which will begin at 1.30 pm in Plaza San Antonio.

– The following Sunday, 1 February, will see the Popular Erizada (teddy bears) in Calle de La Palma from 1.30 pm and the Popular Mejillonada (mussels) at the La Perla peña, also at 1.30 pm.

– On 8 February, the Popular Gambada (shrimp) will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the La Perla club, and the Popular Chicharronada will celebrate its first edition in the Plaza de la Catedral starting at 1:30 p.m.

You can also enjoy three local gastronomic events 🙂:

– Frito Popular Gaditano,
– the Gran Berza Carnavalesca
– the Pinchada Popular

NB: many thanks to my friend Pat Alga for sharing her photos taken in the streets of Cadiz.

In this following video, the comparsas of the 2024 competition are presented:

• Plaza del Falla
• Plaza de Fragela
• Glorieta Ana Orantes
• Plaza de San Antonio.
• Barrio de la Viña 
• Plaza Candelaria
• Plaza de San Agustín
• Plaza de San Francisco
• Plaza de El Mentidero
• Barrio de Santa María

Book accommodation in Cadiz

To book accommodation in the centre of Cádiz at the best price, it’s advisable to book well in advance.

Book activities in Cadiz

Some useful links

For those staying on the Costa del Sol and wishing to visit Andalusia, here are 8 magnificent excursions from Malaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.

Easy and economical bookings

• hire car

In the province of Cadiz, there are many villages, beaches and towns worth visiting. Among them, the town of Tarifa is well worth a visit for its history and atmosphere.

The great ferias of Andalucia:

Malaga Fair 2026 in August

Seville Feria 2026 in May

2026 Romeria El Rocio pilgrimage in June

2026 Courtyards Festival of Cordoba in May

Jerez 2026 Horse Fair in May

Spring Fair in Antequera, in June

Ronda Fair Romantica, in May

Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalusia blog pages.

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