Barcelona is preparing to dress up for its most colourful week of the year. The 2026 Carnival will officially take over the city from Thursday, 12 February (Fat Thursday), running until Wednesday, 18 February, concluding with the traditional Burial of the Sardine.
While the city centre hosts key ceremonial moments, the true spirit of the Barcelona Carnival 2026 lives in the neighbourhoods (barris). Over the course of the week, local districts will host their own parades (ruas), costume contests, and street parties. Therefore, below is the essential schedule to help you navigate the festivities.
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The Kick-off: Fat Thursday and the ‘Arribo’
The festivities begin officially on Thursday, 12 February. For the second consecutive year, the main opening event, known as the Arribo (Arrival), has moved to the Sants neighbourhood. The procession will depart from Cotxeres de Sants and head to the Casa del Mig in the Parque de la España Industrial.
This event welcomes Queen Belluga and features the Carnival Giants and the traditional Taronjada-a vibrant ‘battle’ of orange confetti that signals the start of the revelry. Across the city, community centres will host tastings of coca de llardons (pork crackling pastry) and tortilla contests.
Meanwhile, in the city centre at Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Carnival Giants’ Dance (Ball dels Gegants) will take place the same evening. It culminates in a fireworks display at 20:40.
Barcelona Carnival 2026 Weekend Parades: Key Routes by Neighbourhood
The highlight for most spectators is the weekend street parades. Here is a breakdown of the confirmed schedules for the major neighbourhood processions.
Friday, 13 February
- El Raval (Ravalstoltada): Starts at 18:00 at Rambla del Raval and finishes at Plaça Folch i Torres.
- El Guinardó: Runs from 17:30 to 19:30, departing from Casal Mas Guinardó.
- El Clot (Ambassadors’ Procession): Begins at 19:30 on Carrer de Rogent, featuring a sausage feast (botifarrada) and masked dance.
Saturday, 14 February (The Main Event)
Saturday is the busiest day of the Carnival, with simultaneous parades taking place across the city districts.
- Sants, Hostafrancs & La Bordeta: The ‘Gran Rua’ starts at 17:00, moving along Carrer de Sants and Creu Coberta (from Badal to Béjar).
- Gràcia (Vila de Gràcia): Starts at 18:00, moving from Jardinets de Gràcia to Plaça de la Vila.
- Poblenou: A long celebration running from 16:00 to 21:00, starting at Rambla del Poblenou (corner with Pere IV).
- Sarrià: Starts at 17:30 from Plaça del Consell de la Vila.
- Les Corts: Begins at 16:00, winding through Jardí de Maria Teresa Vernet i Real.
- Nou Barris: Local neighbourhood parades will converge at 18:00 to form a massive central parade on Via Júlia.
- Horta: Starts at 18:00 from Mirador d’Horta, ending with a party at Parc de les Rieres.
- El Clot & Camp de l’Arpa: Starts at 17:00, moving along Passeig de Maragall and Rogent.
- El Carmel: Starts at 17:00 from Jardins de Juan Ponce.
Sunday, 15 February
- Sant Andreu: A morning parade starting at 10:00, moving along Rambla Fabra i Puig and Gran de Sant Andreu to Plaça Can Fabra.
Finale: The Burial of the Sardine
The Barcelona Carnival 2026 officially concludes on Wednesday, 18 February (Ash Wednesday). This marks the Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine), a satirical funeral procession. The city bids farewell to the Carnival King and Queen and welcomes ‘Old Lent’ (Vella Quaresma). In addition, various mortuary parades will take place across the districts to close the week of colour and tradition.
Note: While dates are confirmed, local times and minor route adjustments may occur. Checking specific district announcements closer to the date is recommended.
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