February 21 to March 4 Carnival celebrations in Cartagena

The main Carnival parade in Cartagena is on March 1

While not reaching the spectacular heights of Carnival in Águilas, the annual celebrations prior to the start of Lent in Cartagena are among the most important in the Region of Murcia and have been awarded Regional Tourist Interest status.

The programme for the festivities in 2025 includes the following:

Friday February 21

20.30: Parades and batucada drummers as carnaval troupes parade to the Plaza del Icue from Calle Santa Florentina, Calle Carmen and Calle Sagasta.

21.00: The main parade of the evening begins from Plaza del Icue along Puertas de Murcia and Calle Mayor to thePlaza del Ayuntamiento.

21.30: Opening speech on the balcony of the Town Hall, followed by music and dancing.

Saturday February 22

16.00: The children’s Carnival Queen is chosen at a gala in the Wssell de Guimbarda sports Pavilion. Tickets in advance from El Corte Inglés in Cartagena.

16.00: The adult Carnival Queen is chosen at a gala in the Wssell de Guimbarda sports Pavilion. Tickets in advance from El Corte Inglés in Cartagena.

Sunday February 23

Carnival dance groups compete at the Wssell de Guimbarda sports Pavilion, children at 12.00 and main groups at 18.00 and 21.00. Tickets in advance from El Corte Inglés in Cartagena.

Monday February 24

21.00: The 9th annual Cartagena Carnival Drag Queen competition at the Wssell de Guimbarda sports Pavilion, tickets in advance from El Corte Inglés in Cartagena.

Tuesday February 25

21.00: The King of Carnival is chosen at a gala in the Wssell de Guimbarda sports Pavilion. Tickets in advance from El Corte Inglés in Cartagena. The event features a performance by drag queen “Nebulosa”.

Wednesday February 26

21.00: First semi-final of the chirigota satirical music group competition at the Auditorio El Batel, featuring guest performers Los Molina from Cádiz with “La Antología de la Molina”. Tickets available online here at 15 euros.

Thursday February 27

21.00: Second semi-final of the chirigota satirical music group competition at the Auditorio El Batel, featuring guest performers Los Molina from Cádiz with “La Antología de la Molina”. Tickets available online here at 15 euros.

Friday February 28

11.00: Schoolchildren’s parade in the city.

20.30: The Town Hall’s Carnival marquee opens in the Plaza Mayor, on the seafront alongside the port.

21.00: Carpe Diem live in concert at the marquee.

20.00 and 23.30: Finals of the chirigota satirical music group competition at the Auditorio El Batel. Tickets available online here at 17 euros.

Saturday March 1

12.00: Children’s Carnival at the Town Hall marquee.

13.30: Chirigota music in the Plaza Mayor.

18.00: The main Carnival parade begins at the corner of Alameda de San Antón and Calle Francisco de Borja. Route: Alameda de San Antón, Plaza de España, Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza de San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza Héroes de Cavite, Plaza Mayor.

17.00 onwards: Carnival party in the Plaza Mayor.

Sunday March 2

12.00: Chirigota music in the Plaza Mayor.

12.30: Visiting Carnival troupes parade along the following route: Calle Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza de San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza Héroes de Cavite, Plaza Mayor.

16.30: Live music at the marquee with Los Vecinos del Cuarto.

Monday March 3

18.00: Another Carnival parade begins in Calle Carmen. Route: Calle Carmen, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza de San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza Héroes de Cavite, Plaza Mayor.

20.00: More partying at the marquee.

Tuesday March 4

19.00: The final parade, that of Don Carnal, begins in Calle San Juan. Route: San Juan, Plaza de Juan XXIII, Santa Florentina, Plaza del Icue, Calle Carmen, San Roque, Jabonerías, Puertas de Murcia, Plaza de San Sebastián, Calle Mayor, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza Héroes de Cavite, Plaza Mayor.

21.00: Prizes are awarded at the marquee as the city bids farewell for another year to Don Carnal. Cheese tastings and meatballs are available before the figure of Don Carnal is ceremonially burnt alongside the marquee in Plaza Mayor.

The evening ends with fireworks over the promenade.

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.