Festive Colours and Enchanting Rhythms: Discover the Carnival of Torrevieja!

The Torrevieja Carnival as we know it today was actually created by a group of friends, inspired by the carnival spirit, who called themselves ‘Amigos del Carnaval’. In the aftermath of the Franco dictatorship, when Spain was slowly regaining its lost freedoms, they saw the potential to breathe new life into carnival, which had previously been in the shadows. This group laid the foundations for what is now one of the most vibrant and spectacular carnivals on the Costa Blanca. From their humble beginnings, driven by passion and a shared love of partying, Torrevieja Carnival has grown into a major event, filled with competition, creativity and breathtaking spectacle.

In the early years, the focus was mainly on organising a parade and creating a communal atmosphere. However, as the carnival grew in popularity and size, the need for structure and competition arose. Today, the Torrevieja carnival is taken seriously with various competitions and prestigious titles to be won.

One of the most coveted titles is that of 'Reina del Carnaval' (Queen of Carnival) and 'Rey del Carnaval' (King of Carnival). Candidates, often from the various carnival groups, compete for this honour through performances, costumes and general presentation. The jury judges on criteria such as originality, elegance and the general carnival spirit. Winning this title means not only personal honour, but also prestige for the carnival group to which the king/queen belongs.

In addition, there is the competition for the , best carnival group, , where the groups are judged on their costumes, choreography, floats and overall performance during the Gran Desfile. This competition is a highlight of the carnival, where each group does everything they can to impress the jury and the audience. There are often prizes for different categories, for example the best float, the best costumes and the best choreography.

The youngest participants are not forgotten either. There is a separate competition for , children's queen(s) and king(s), , as well as prizes for the best children's carnival groups. This encourages the younger generations to participate in the carnival and keep the tradition alive.

Finally, there are often prizes for the , best individual costumes, , where the creativity and skill of the creators are put in the spotlight. This competition provides a platform for individual expression and shows the diversity and talent within the carnival community.

From the small group of friends, ‘Amigos del Carnaval’, who dreamed of a freer and more colourful Torrevieja, to the organised and competitive celebration that it is today, Carnival has come a long way. However, the essence remains the same: an exuberant celebration of community, creativity and freedom, where everyone has the chance to shine and share in the magic of Carnival. The various competitions and coveted titles raise the stakes and push the participants to their limits, ensuring that Torrevieja Carnival continues to surprise and enchant year after year.

It is good to know that in 2012 the “Carnival of Torrevieja” was recognized as a Provincial Tourist Interest. In 2021, the “Generalitat Valenciana” even declared it a Festival of Independent Tourist Interest for the Valencian Community.

Agenda:

• Friday, February 21. VI Carnival Meeting in the Plaza de la Constitución until the Plaza de Oriente at 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 23. Grand Parade Carnival 2025 Competition. It will start at 4:00 p.m. and will have two new makeup and staging competitions.
• Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25 and 26. Activities and parades at different schools.
• Thursday, February 27. The Municipal Leisure Centre brings the magic of carnival to the elderly from 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 28. Parade of the Carnival 2025 Foreign Groups competition starting at 8:30 p.m. When it ends there will be a big party followed by the awards ceremony on the Vistalegre promenade.
• Saturday 1st March. The great night parade of the Torrevieja Carnival will start at 8pm. At the end there will be a big party and awards ceremony on the Vistalegre promenade.
• Sunday, March 2. The Torrevieja International Auditorium will host the National Competition of comparsas and chirigotas ‘Ciudad de Torrevieja’. It will start at 6:00 p.m. and the entrance fee is 8 euros.
• Saturday, March 8. Masked ball in the halls of the Cultural Society Casino of Torrevieja at 8:30 p.m. The event is free.

For more information go to https://www.carnavaldetorrevieja.com