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February 6-17 Cartagena Carnival 2026 full programme of events
Twelve epic days of festivities, parades, costumes and fun in Cartagena
Cartagena is getting ready to throw one of the biggest parties of the year as the Carnival returns from February 6 to 17. Twelve packed days of colour, music, costumes and parades will take over the city, in celebrations that are among the most important in the Region of Murcia and officially recognised as being of Regional Tourist Interest.
This year’s festivities get off to a high-profile start with the opening speech on Friday February 6 by Bibiana Fernández, a well-known actress and television personality who has long been a trailblazer in Spanish popular culture.
With events planned across the city for almost two weeks, Cartagena Carnival 2026 promises something for everyone, from spectacular parades to late-night celebrations.
Friday February 6
Cartagena carnival proclamation
• 5pm Parade with batucadas
Arrival of carnival groups at Icue square via Santa Florentina, Carmen and Sagasta streets
• 5.30pm Groups meet in Icue square and parade
Route: Puertas de Murcia, Mayor street and town hall square
• 6pm Proclamation from the town hall balcony (town hall square)
Carnival performances
Saturday February 7
Gala election of the children’s queen
• 4pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall
Gala election of the adult queen
• 10pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall
Sunday February 8
23rd regional competition of choreographic groups
Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall
• 12pm Children’s choreography competition
• 5pm Adult choreography competition (first phase)
• 9pm Adult choreography competition (second phase)
Monday February 9
10th national drag queen competition “City of Cartagena”
• 9pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall
Tuesday February 10
Gala election of the carnival king
• 9pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall
Wednesday February 11
First semi-final of the 23rd regional chirigotas competition “City of Cartagena”
• 9pm El Batel auditorium, Cartagena
Thursday February 12
Second semi-final of the 23rd regional chirigotas competition “City of Cartagena”
• 9pm El Batel auditorium, Cartagena
Friday February 13
School parade
• 11am Route: Plaza Juan XXIII, Santa Florentina, Carmen, San Roque, Jabonerías, Puertas de Murcia, San Sebastián, Mayor and Plaza de Ayuntamiento
Senior carnival
• 5pm Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Carnival troupe performances, election of the king and queen of the elderly, music and dancing
• 9pm Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Carnival party
Final of the 23rd regional chirigotas competition “City of Cartagena”
• 8pm First performance
• 11.30pm Second performance
El Batel auditorium, Cartagena
Saturday February 14
Children’s carnival
• 11.30am Official carnival marquee, Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Children’s show and children’s costume contest
Street performances by Chirigotas
• 1.30pm Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Great carnival parade
• 6pm Departure from the corner of San Antón avenue and Francisco de Borja
Route: San Antón, Plaza España, Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza de Ayuntamiento, Heroes de Cavite and Plaza Mayor
Great carnival celebration
• 5pm onwards Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Sunday February 15
Street performances by Chirigotas
• 12pm Plaza Mayor
Great carnival parade of foreign carnival troupes
• 12.30pm Route: Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza de Ayuntamiento, Heroes de Cavite and Plaza Mayor
Carnival celebration
• 4.30pm Official carnival marquee, Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Monday February 16
Parade and festival of carnival troupes and choreographic groups
• 6pm Departure from Calle Carmen
Route: Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza de Ayuntamiento, Heroes de Cavite and Plaza Mayor
• 8pm Official carnival marquee, Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Performances by children’s and adult carnival troupes and choreographic groups
Tuesday February 17
Mr Carnal’s parade
• 7pm Departure from San Juan
Route: San Juan, Juan XXIII, Santa Florentina, Icue square, Carmen, San Roque, Jabonerías, Puertas de Murcia, San Sebastián, Plaza de Ayuntamiento, Heroes de Cavite and Plaza Mayor
Awards ceremony and farewell to Mr Carnal
• 9pm Official carnival marquee, Plaza Mayor (port esplanade)
Awards ceremony, tasting of tetillas de Mrs Cuaresma and pelotas de Mr Carnal, burning of Mr Carnal and fireworks
Additional information
• Tickets for events at the Wssell de Guimbarda central sports pavilion are available at El Corte Inglés, Cartagena
• Tickets for the Chirigotas competition are available at the El Batel auditorium and conference centre
Cartagena carnival exhibition
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