Pop into Carrefour or even Lidls in the next few weeks and you will find them selling a wide variety of fancy dress costumes and accessories.. that’s because its Carnaval season.
In Spain, carnival season takes place in February or early March, usually during the week leading up to Lent. All regions across Spain organize carnivals and fiestas, most involving music and dancing, humour, plays and satirical performances and a general atmosphere of fun and high spirits. Everyone dresses up and takes to the streets to celebrate the season. Each city and region of Spain has a different style of carnival with its own individual atmosphere and ambiance. Probably the most renown in Spain is the Cadiz carnival
The Manilva Carnaval this year takes place on Saturday 23rd February in the Manilva sports centre. (It used to be held at the fairground but has had to be cancelled on previous years due to bad weather – better that’s its held indoors!)
The timetable for the celebrations is as follows:-
17.00 – Enrolment for the children’s fancy dress contest (all entrants will receive a gift and a snack);
This will be followed by a party for the little ones with children’s entertainment, games, face painting, etc.
19.00 – Children’s fancy dress contest.
10 pm – Enrolment for the adult and group fancy dress competition.
11 pm – Adult and group fancy dress competition.
Prizes for individual fancy dress are – 1st €200, 2nd €100 and 3rd €50
Prizes for group fancy dress are – 1st €600, 2nd €400 and 3rd €200
After the prize giving there will be a huge party with music provided by two DJ which will go on onto the early hours of the morning..
Don’t forget that there will also be a Parade of floats through the streets (weather permitting) with children’s entertainers and Brazilian dancers. This will start in Castillo at 4pm, then onto Sabinillas around 5pm ending in Manilva around 6pm.
