Barcelona is getting its party gear on, ready to once again welcome Queen Belluga! Her Majesty is returning to the Catalan capital with a decentralised Arribo, or arrival ceremony, which this year will be held in the Sants neighbourhood, featuring carnival giants and lots of other characters and, of course, the classic taronjada orange fest!

The Barcelona Carnival will begin on Fat Thursday with a whole host of wild and festive activities: Arribos, tasting sessions for the coca de llardons pastry cakes, omelette competitions, and more.

Carnival is one of the most community-based festivals, with neighbourhood residents organising a wide range of different activities. The city will once again experience the vibrant Carnival parades, and the neighbourhood centres, civic centres, and Cases de la Festa will be hosting lively celebrations with costume competitions, masked balls, concerts and workshops for the whole family.

The Barcelona Carnival concludes on Ash Wednesday with the Burial of the Sardine, featuring various funeral processions with wailing, tears, and lamentations. The people of Barcelona will bid farewell to Her Majesty the Carnival Queen and welcome Old Mother Lent.

And remember, at Carnival, anything goes!