

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 six 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.