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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.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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)

 

 

10th national drag queen competition “City of Cartagena”

• 9pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall

 

 

Gala election of the carnival king

• 9pm Wssell de Guimbarda sports hall

 

 

First semi-final of the 23rd regional chirigotas competition “City of Cartagena”

• 9pm El Batel auditorium, Cartagena

 

 

Second semi-final of the 23rd regional chirigotas competition “City of Cartagena”

• 9pm El Batel auditorium, Cartagena

 

 

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

 

 

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)

 

 

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)

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

• 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