ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR events to attend this year, the 2024 Torrevieja Carnival, takes place later this week. The fiesta officially started on Friday 26th January, and concludes on Sunday 11th February 2024, with two key diary dates for local audiences and international residents.
The history of the Torrevieja Carnival dates back to the late 1980s, specifically to a small group named the “Friends of Carnival” who began holding small parades concentrated in a series of organised parties where neighbours spent time dancing to music in the streets.
Over the years the Torrevieja Carnival has developed into a much more elaborate affair that involves officials from the Town Hall, local police, rigorous planning, local businesses, a colourful cast of thousands, and an audience that numbers in the tens of thousands.
Traditionally, the carnival is one of the most important, anticipated, and admired festivities in the city of Torrevieja's social calendar, and people travel from different countries around the world to attend the celebrated annual event.
The Torrevieja Carnival and the colourful street parade
Carnival organisers are promising a full spectrum of colour, dancing, and celebrations in the city streets with a cast numbering some 2,000 people.
Torrevieja's street parades take inspiration from traditional Brazilian festivals such as the world-renowned Rio de Janeiro Carnival that takes place toward the end of February. However, unlike Rio's celebrations that last just five days, the Costa Blanca city will keep the party spirit alive for more than two weeks.
It's big business for the participants too, with Torrevieja City Hall contributing thousands of Euros in prize money, and this year's carnival has been organised in association with Agamed, the Spanish water utility company that manages the complete water cycle in the municipality of Torrevieja.
But for most carnival visitors, the main attractions are the spectacular street parades that take place in Torrevieja. The first street event of the annual celebrations will see dancers and musicians parade through the centre of the Spanish city this coming weekend.
The Grand Carnival Parade takes place from 16:00 this Sunday 4th February 2024, departing from the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen and proceeding down Calle Ramón Gallud to Avenida Doctor Gregorio Marañon.
The contrasting day and night parades on the Costa Blanca
The fortnight-long celebrations culminate in a magnificent and final street parade next weekend on Saturday 10th February 2024.
The great Night Carnival Parade departs from the Virgen del Carmen cultural centre, and proceeds down Calle Ramón Gallud to Calle Orihuela, starting at 20:00.
For more information about the Torrevieja Carnival click here to visit the official website.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what´s going on in the local area.
Photo credit: Milena Georgieva Kovacs
