Sitges Carnival 2023

It may be in February, but this is the hottest party in Sitges.

Sitges, better known as a gay beach resort in the summer months, comes alive in February for carnival with more than 300,000 people from around the world descending on this small Catalan village, making one of the wildest parties in Europe.

Sitges fills up for Carnival, especially at the weekend. Check for some last minute Carnival hotel deals now.

Sitges Carnival Parades

• Thursday 16th Feb 2023 – The arrival of the king of Carnival – typically held on the seafront. The Carnival king makes his way through the streets of Sitges towards the town hall, where he assumes control of the village for the duration of the event.
• Catch the parade from your balcony at the Hotel Calipolis.
• Sunday 19th Feb 2023 – Rua de la Disbauxa – The first of two main parades through the town, featuring over 50 different floats and hundreds of bejewelled dancers and performers.  The parade starts at 7pm.
• Tuesday 21st Feb 2023 – Rua de l’Extermini – The second of the big parades. The order of the 50 floats are reversed, giving everyone an opportunity to see your favourite group. It is also a little crazier, if that’s possible, as it is the penultimate day of partying.
• Wednesday 22nd Feb 2022 – Burial of the King – The funeral procession makes its way from the Town Hall to the beach with the wailing widows, a gaggle of drag queens dressed in black. It is both a sombre and humorous occasion.

Sitges Carnival Parade Routes 2023

• The 2023 parade routes have yet to be confirmed. They typically leave from the centre of town in Cap De La Villa and make their way along the seafront.

The Gay Carnival

• The Gay Carnival begins on the weekend before the official carnival festivities with the traditional Widows Night at Parrots Pub on the 14th of Feb, followed by a Carnival dinner at L’Angle D’Adrianna. Other nights include Pink Night on the Monday the 20th of Feb.

The Widows Night

• Ash Wednesday Feb 21st – Of all the gay carnival traditions, one has stood firm if in fact now grown, and that is the Night of the Widows. (Noche de las Viduas).
• Tourists, locals, and drag queens dress up in elaborate costumes and make their way behind the funeral cortege of the king. Once he is buried, the widows make their way to various dinners and compete for prizes. One of the most popular Widows night events is held at La Nansa. Parrots Group restaurants, Le Patio & L’Angle D’Adrianna also host dinners. Reservations are essential.

Tips on making the most out of Sitges Carnival

• Our advice, arrive on the Thursday when the fun begins and head home on Monday. Over the past 4 Carnival events, even the Tuesday has grown into a more quieter affair and has been eclipsed by the Saturday, which despite no parade, is now the busiest night of the Carnival.
• Just about everyone dresses up in some sort of costume, locals and tourists alike so don’t forget to pack yours, it doesn’t matter what costume you bring – the more outrageous the better. Think skimpy and slutty, you get the idea? Sitges Carnival Thursday to Sunday is 4 days of nonstop party fun.

Where to stay during Sitges Carnival

Sitges is a compact village. All of the gay bars are located along a T Junction of Calle Bonaire, Calle Joan Tarrida and Plz Industria. Most will host special theme nights and parties during Carnival. The square outside parrots and the streets outside El horno are full each night from 8pm until 3am, especially on the Friday and Saturday nights.

• Platjador hotel facing the beach next to the main gay street,
• The Calipolis hotel facing the gay beach next to the gay street,
• Parrots Hotel in the middle of the gay bars and
• El Cid hotel in the centre of Sitges,