Carnaval in Cádiz
Location: Cádiz (an hour or so south of Sevilla)
Dates: 15 - 25 February
It's known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and marks 40 days before Lent. Western Andalucia has taken more of a liking to Carnaval than the rest of the province. And of all the celebrations in Andalucia the one in Cádiz is the largest and most famous. 10 days of festivities are planned and in general a lot of drinking, dressing-up and nightlife happens in the street. Part of the festivities in Cádiz include parodies of just about anyone famous - politicians and celebrities are some of the favorites. Choir/musical groups between five and forty-five in number dress up and play songs, satirizing personalities and current events. A big competition takes place in Cádiz's Gran Teatro Falla, where the groups perform in hopes of winning.

Carnaval in Cádiz
Location: Cádiz (an hour or so south of Sevilla)
Dates: 23 February - 5 March
It's known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and marks 40 days before Lent. Western Andalucia has taken more of a liking to Carnaval than the rest of the province. And of all the celebrations in Andalucia the one in Cádiz is the largest and most famous. 10 days of festivities are planned and in general a lot of drinking, dressing-up and nightlife happens in the street. Part of the festivities in Cádiz include parodies of just about anyone famous - politicians and celebrities are some of the favorites. Choir/musical groups between five and forty-five in number dress up and play songs, satirizing personalities and current events. A big competition takes place in Cádiz's Gran Teatro Falla, where the groups perform in hopes of winning.

Carnaval in Isla Cristina
Location: Isla Cristina (province of Huelva)
Dates: 6 - 25 February
If you don't make it to Cadiz and want something a little smaller then head to Isla Cristina. Many small towns in Western Andalucia celebrate Carnaval but Isla Cristina is perhaps the most well known of the pueblo carnavales. The town is a small, but important fishing port located where the Guadiana river meets the Atlantic. Aside from the events there is a nice group of restaurants and bars to choose from along the water. Many days of festivities are in store for the town beginning February 6th.

Día de Andalucia: Parlamento de Andalucia
Location: across from La Macarena church
Dates: February 24 - 25
Once a year you can wander inside this building as the city celebrates the Día de Andalucia on February 28th. So why do you want to visit? Aside from the political happenings it's one of the important pieces of Renaissance architecture in Sevilla with some beautiful patios inside. And it's only once a year that the public can enter without a previous appointment. I remember back in 1989 the building was in bad shape - practically abandoned. Fully restored it's worth checking out!

Día de Andalucia: Parlamento de Andalucia
Location: across from La Macarena church
Dates: February 25th and 26th (only two days per year!)
Once a year you can wander inside this building as the city celebrates the Día de Andalucia on February 28th. So why do you want to visit? Aside from the political happenings it's one of the important pieces of Renaissance architecture in Sevilla with some beautiful patios inside. And it's only once a year that the public can enter. I remember back in 1989 the building was in bad shape - practically abandoned. Fully restored it's worth checking out!

Carnaval in Cádiz
Locations: Cádiz (an hour or so south of Sevilla)
Dates: February 3 - February 13, 2005

It's known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and marks 40 days before Lent. Western Andalucia has taken more of a liking to Carnaval than the rest of the province. And of all the celebrations in Andalucia the one in Cádiz is the largest and most famous. 10 days of festivities are planned and in general a lot of drinking, dressing-up and nightlife happens in the street. Part of the festivities in Cádiz include parodies of just about anyone famous - politicians and celebrities are some of the favorites. Choir/musical groups between five and forty-five in number dress up and play songs, satirizing personalities and current events. A big competition takes place in Cádiz's Gran Teatro Falla, where the groups perform in hopes of winning. And did I mention the drinking, parades, costumes and all night action in the street?

Carnaval in Cádiz
Location: Cádiz (an hour or so south of Sevilla)
Dates: 3 - 13 February
It's known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and marks 40 days before Lent. Western Andalucia has taken more of a liking to Carnaval than the rest of the province. And of all the celebrations in Andalucia the one in Cádiz is the largest and most famous. 10 days of festivities are planned and in general a lot of drinking, dressing-up and nightlife happens in the street. Part of the festivities in Cádiz include parodies of just about anyone famous - politicians and celebrities are some of the favorites. Choir/musical groups between five and forty-five in number dress up and play songs, satirizing personalities and current events. A big competition takes place in Cádiz's Gran Teatro Falla, where the groups perform in hopes of winning.

Festival de Mosto
Locations: Umbrete (15 minutes from Seville), Recinto Ferial (Fair grounds)
Dates: February 5 - 6, 2005

Umbrete is a small town just 15 minutes from Seville which I've gotten know over the years because of family memebers who now call it home. It's a great place for a weekend lunch, and the Festival de Mosto y Aceituna is a good time to visit as well. The Festival has grown over the years and now features a wide variety of food and drink which is local to Umbrete. Umbrete is famous for it's mosto, a seasonal white wine which is at it's peak at this time of year. Aside from wine tasting there's plenty to eat as the bars and restruants of the town set up stands and offer some of their best cooking.

Umbrete - Fesitval de Mosto y Aceituna

Carnaval in Isla Cristina
Location: Isla Cristina (province of Huelva)
Dates: 6 - 25 February
If you don't make it to Cadiz and want something a little smaller then head to Isla Cristina. Many small towns in Western Andalucia celebrate Carnaval but Isla Cristina is perhaps the most well known of the pueblo carnavales. The town is a small, but important fishing port located where the Guadiana river meets the Atlantic. Aside from the events there is a nice group of restaurants and bars to choose from along the water. Many days of festivities are in store for the town beginning February 6th.

Parlamento de Andalucia
Location: across from La Macarena church
Dates: February 26th and 27th (only two days per year!)
Once a year you can wander inside this building as the city celebrates the Día de Andalucia on February 28th. So why do you want to visit? Aside from the political happenings it's one of the important pieces of Renaissance architecture in Sevilla with some beautiful patios inside. And it's only once a year that the public can enter. I remember back in 1989 the building was in bad shape - practically abandoned. Fully restored it's worth checking out!

Parlamento de Andalucia
Location: Parlamento de Andalucia (across from La Macarena church)
Dates: February 28th and 29th only

Once a year you can wander inside the building as the city celebrates the Día de Andalucia on February 28th. This year you get an extra day thanks to leap year. So why do you want to visit? Aside from the political happenings t's one of the important pieces of Renaissance architecture in Sevilla with some beautiful patios inside. And it's only once a year that the public can enter. I remember back in 1989 the building was in bad shape - practically abandoned. Fully restored it's worth checking out!