Be prepared for crowds as over 250,000 revellers take Sitges by storm from the 4th-10th Feb. According to tradition, “King Carnestoltes” makes an appearance on the first Thursday of the celebrations to welcome everyone to the carnival. He absolves everyone’s sins throughout the weekend, and “dies” during the carnival’s closing party, which marks the beginning of Lent.

The biggest events are the Debauchery Parade on Sunday 7th and Extermination Parade on Tues 9th. Expect a procession full of extravagant costumes, with colourful feathers, masks and elaborate make-up.

Floats pass down the main street, each with their own quirky theme and many with an on-board sound system and party crew. Dancers, acrobats and other performers accompany the floats and provide creatively choreographed and often somewhat daring performances.

The Children’s Parade is a tamer version which takes place on Sunday at 3pm, and is also well worth catching.