What's the story:

Carnival arrives to Tarragona and the whole city celebrates it: special dishes as the xarró, parades with the most diverse fancy dresses, beasts surrounded by fire,...  A party that has its origins in the Saturnal, Lupercal and Matronal festivities celebrated by the Romans changes the colors and the smells of the city during ten days.

A period in which young and old can become the character they wish.

Timetable:

From the 14th until the 24th of February of 2009.

Price:

for free

The best season:

winter

More info:

Even though most of the activities are family oriented, we highlight some of them:
Saturday the 14th of February at 10:00 (Casa de la festa, Via Augusta, 4): the children will be able to draw fancy dresses for the Negrita and the Negrita and if they are lucky the will get one of the gifts that will be raffled among the participants.

Wednesday the 18th of February at 19:00: Mr. Carnival and his Concubine enter the city. (Itinerary: Rambla Nova, Sant Agustí i plaça de la font)

Friday the 20th of February at 17:30 (Casa de la festa, Via Augusta, 4): guided visit to the items that historically were used in the Carnival parades with a special attention to the beasts that shoot with fire. 

Saturday 21st of February from 18:00 to 20:00 (des de l’avinguda Ramón y Cajal cap a la Rambla Vella): craftsmanship parade with coaches, the dance of devils, the Dragon, the Ox and the Víbria, and the King and the queen of the carnival.

Sunday the 22nd February from 19:00 to 20:30 (from the font del centenari at the Rambla Nova, passing by Sant Agustí and la Rambla Vella until the Font square): Ostentation parade: presentation of the most spectacular groups accompanied by Mr. Carnival and the concubine.

Tarragona’s 2009 Carnival programme

Photo: © Mauri, Ajuntament de Tarragona