Carnival, a great feast of ingenuity and humour, takes place on the streets and squares of Madrid for several days. It begins with a public appearance and address by one of the celebrities from the balcony of the Casa de la Villa.
Madrid enjoys the holiday for several days—a grand game of dress up with events for the whole family, children and adults. Some of the most memorable performances of the Madrid Сarnival include the Grand Carnival Parade, the dance and competition of masquerade costumes in the Society of Fine Arts, the meeting of Murga (strolling musicians) and Chirigota (carnival music groups) in the Plaza de la Villa, and the symbolic "funeral of the sardine" at the end of the festival.
The Funeral of the Sardine (February 14, 2024)
The Funeral of the Sardine is a traditional event and the grand finale of the Carnival. The highlights of this event, which usually occurs on Ash Wednesday, include the parade with the Comparsa de Gigantes y Cabezudos Association through the streets of Madrid. The colorful procession starts in San Antonio de la Florida and passes the Fuente de los Pajaritos, the Plaza de las Moreras. The parade concludes at the Casa de Campo, where the sardine is being buried.
In addition to street parties, visitors can celebrate the Carnival at local restaurants and cafes. El Cortejo de la Sardina is a gastronomic route. It encompasses about a hundred joints, such as food trucks, restaurants, and shops, offering their original interpretations of the Burial of the Sardine.
