Mardi Gras and Carnival

The Christian feast of Epiphany traditionally began a period of celebration which culminated in Mardi Gras. 

Mardi Gras is known as Shrove Tuesday in the United Kingdom, where it is celebrated with pancakes. Literally French for “Fat Tuesday”, it is so called because it was traditional for followers to eat rich, fatty foods prior to Lent. That is a time during which believers traditionally would often fast that starts on Ash Wednesday, the day following Mardi Gras.

In Roman times a pagan festival celebrating fertility and the coming of spring coincided with the winter solace. It was later adopted by early Christians as part of the the celebrations following Epiphany in early January.

Today Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, with the week long Carnival in Rio de Janeiro being the best known event. But Carnival is also celebrated in a number of Costa Brava towns, with street parades in the days leading up to Mardi Gras itself. Depending on the town, Carnival can span from three days to more than a week.

When is Carnival?

Mardi Gras is 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year. The date for Mardi Gras can fall on any Tuesday between 3rd February and 9th March. Below you can find the dates for Mardi Gras and other dates determined by Easter.

Participating towns

Traditionally Carnival ended with Mardi Gras, although on the Costa Brava the precise dates are rather more fluid and vary from town to town. The best-known carnivals take place at the towns below. Don’t expect much info to be posted too far in advance, but in the days leading up to Carnival you should find the information is updated.

You’ll find various things going on including street parades with wild music and crazy costumes. Party on!

The Carnival traditionally ends with the Burial of the Sardine(!?!) on Ash Wednesday. After all that partying comes Lent. That begins on Ash Wednesday and finishes on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.