A Week of Magic: Celebrating Carnaval in Spain

Carnaval in Spain is truly magical, especially for children. Unlike Mardi Gras in the U.S., which leans more toward an adult celebration, Carnaval here is a joyful, family-friendly affair filled with costumes, music, and school traditions that build excitement all week long. It’s one of those times when the whole country seems to burst into color, and the energy is simply infectious.

One of my favorite parts of Carnaval with kids is La Patarrona, a quirky school tradition where a special doll dictates what the children should wear each day leading up to the big parade. It’s all very playful—one day might be mismatched socks, another a silly hat or a certain color—each morning filled with giggles as they scramble to follow her instructions.

This year, though, La Patarrona has been extra special. The theme at our school has been a journey across Spain’s most famous festivals, with the kids dressing up each day as different fiesta-goers from around the country. We’ve had Sevillanos in ruffled flamenco dresses, little Falleros from Valencia in traditional silk sashes, San Fermineros in their crisp white outfits with red scarves, and even Canarios decked out in feathers and sequins. It has been so, so fun—not just dressing up, but diving into the meaning behind each festival, looking up videos, reading stories, and learning about the traditions at home. And of course, there has been plenty of last-minute costume scrounging, whether from the depths of our closets or a quick dash to the local Chinese bazar for some essential accessories. Check out what the kids wore throughout the week on SpainLife’s instagram if you haven’t already seen.

The grand finale of Carnaval is always the school parade, where each class marches through town in coordinated costumes (by the Spanish schools’ PTA equivalent, la AMPA) waving to proud parents and delighted neighbors. There’s a wonderful sense of community as the whole town comes together to celebrate. And while some of the biggest Carnaval celebrations—like those in Cádiz or Tenerife—are famous for their extravagant floats and all-night street parties, I love how smaller towns keep the focus on the children, making it a truly special time for families.

For expat families, Carnaval is such a fun way to embrace Spanish culture and create lasting memories. It’s a week of pure joy, where even the grayest winter days are made bright with laughter, music, and a little bit of sparkle. ✨