It’s nearly carnival in Asturias and, while it may not be as big a thing as it is in Brazil, carnival, also known as antroxu in Asturias, is still a significant day in the calendar that is more important than a mere day off school. Below you will find the ultimate Asturias Carnival guide for 2026.
As there is little information online in English about what goes on these days, we have decided to scour the web and bring you everything that is happening in the main towns and cities for carnival 2026 in Asturias. Please bear in mind though, that all of this is subject to change.
Here is our ultimate guide to carnival in Asturias 2026
Avilés Carnival 2026
We’ll start with one of the most unique carnival celebrations in Asturias. This is the program as appears on the Avilés city hall’s website that you can check out here:
- Martes de Pitanza (10 February, 19:30): we start of the celebrations with some food. Free tastings at 7:30 p. m. at Plaza España of “carnival stew” made by the associations Abuelo Anselmo and La Pecera.
- Miércoles Sardinero (sardine Wednesday, 11 February, 19:00): Traditional parade starting at calle La Toba and ending at Plaza Mayor de Llaranes. Later, the sermon of the “third scale” will be read and Herrings will be awarded to distinguished carnival goers. There will also be food, chickpeas with tripe (callos) and wine, and music.
- Jueves de Comadres (12 February): A moment for the women of the community to meet for tea and supper. There will be music groups going around the streets of the city centre playing music (18:30).
- Viernes de la Coronación (13 February): Primary school children will participate in a parade with music that goes from Parque del Muelle up to the Plaza de España (17:00). El Corte Inglés will also host a pet fancy dress event where the winner can win €100 (19:00). In the evening at Plaza España will take place the crowning of the Goxu and La Faba (King and Queen of the carnival, 20:30) and there will be music afterwards (22:30).
- Sábado del Descenso (14 February, 18:00): Arguably the most famous carnival event in Asturias, the descent of Galiana where thematics floats go down the Galiana street, past the city hall and down calle La Cámara while the streets are full of foam. A must-see in our eyes, though do remember to pack your wellies, wrap up warm and do not be too afraid to get wet. This will be happening in the evening so it can get cold and there will be music too (23:30, plaza España).
- Domingo de Antroxín pa’ los Nenos (15 February): Traditional carnival from 13:00 through the Medieval streets of the old town finishing at Plaza Mayor lead by the following companies: ‘Compaña del Cornelu de L’Asoleyada’ and ‘Compaña del Fariñeru de Ximielga la Saya’. 17:30 automobile treasure hunt at Plaza de Pedro Menéndez. And Kids Carnival Disco at 18:30 in Plaza España with music and entertainers.
- Lunes de Murgas y Fanfarrias (16 February): 12:00 and at 18:00 music through the streets of the old town. 19:00 music festival at Plaza España and at 22:30 Dani Parrondo presents his show The Goat Festival at the same square.
- Martes del Gran Desfile (17 February, 17:30): parade from El Quirinal to Plaza España with all competing floats including the float that won the best float awards for the Descenso de Galiana.
- Miércoles del Entierro: Last day, where they put the Sardine to rest and burn it at Plaza España at 20:30.
This is just a recap of some of the most important events, there are more events on, please visit the Avilés website for more information.
Oviedo Carnival 2026
Oviedo’s carnival is held a little bit later than Avilés’.
- 17 February (Tuesday at Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos Ciudad de Oviedo): There will be different workshops and costume competitions for children from 17:00 to 19:00. There will also be a disco event at 19:00.
- 21 February (Saturday): The carnival parade should take place at 17:30 through the following streets: Independencia, Uría, San Francisco, Eusebio Glez Abascal, Plaza de la Catedral, Águila. There will then be a costume competition, and the burial for the sardine and show after, starting at 18:00 at the Cathedral square (Plaza de Alfonso II El Casto). There will then be a concert starting at 21:00 on the same square.
- 17-22 February: Carnival culinary days, special carnival (antroxu) menu at a variety of restaurants that includes an “antroxu” stew.
This is just a recap of some of the most important events, there are more events on, please visit the Oviedo municipal website for more information.
Gijón Carnival 2026
Here’s what we’ve been able to gleam from the Gijón city website.
- Antroxu Xixón Oeste (12 February): Carnival parade for Western Gijón. Starts at 17:00 at c/ Pachín de Melás and ends at the school C.P. Atalía at around 18:00. Then there will be a fancy dress competition, chocolate and music.
- 13 February: Music through the streets (Paseo de Begoña, C/ Covadonga, C/ San Bernardo, Plaza Mayor). Official start to the carnival at Teatro Jovellanos.
- 14 February: Children’s fancy dress parade at 12:00 at Teatro Jovellanos and at 19:00 at the theatre as well, music group competition. You would need to have bought a ticket for these events it seems, for the children’s parade on the 11 of February at the theatre and for the competition on the 12th of February. More information on the Gijón website.
- 15 February: Starting at 12:00 children’s fancy dress parade through the streets of Gijón (Plaza del Instituto, C/ Menéndez Valdés, Plaza de San Miguel, C/ Covadonga, C/ San Bernardo and Paseo de Begoña). Music group competition at 19:00 at Teatro Jovellanos.
- 16 February: Carnival parade starting at 19:00 (Plaza de Toros, Avenida de la Costa, El Humedal). Music and fiesta at Paseo Begoña at 22:30.
- 17 February: At 17:00 paseo de Begoña music and a show. At around 19:15 start of the burial of the sardine parade at Paseo de Begoña with music (Paseo de Begoña, C/ Covadonga, C/ San Bernardo, Plaza del Instituto, C/ San Antonio, Plaza Italia, Jardines de la Reina, Plaza del Marqués). At around 20:15, burial of the sardine, closing ceremony.
Siero Carnival 2026
Siero is divided with events in multiple places (see here), but here are some of the events for Pola Siero and Lugones:
Pola Siero:
- 13 February (Friday): at Teatro Auditorio de Siero Carnival concert at 20:00.
- 17 February (Tuesday): at Casa de Cultura facepainting from 15:00 to 16:30 and start of the parade from the casa de cultura at 17:00. There will also be music, chocolate and frixuelos (pancakes) at the covered tent at 18:30.
Lugones
- 17 February (Tuesday): Facepainting and balloon art at Centro Polivalente Integrado from 15:00 to 16:30. Carnival parade from 17:00 to 18:00. Music and chocolate from 18:00 to 19:00 at the Plaza de Europa tent in Lugones.
Valdés/Luarca Carnival 2026
Here is a summary of the carnival events in the municipality of Valdés to be held in Luarca in 2026 according to the Asturias tourism website.
- 12 February (Thursday at 11:30): Kids’ carnival parade ending at Plaza Alfonso X El Sabio.
- 13 February (Friday at 17:00): Kids’ carnival at the tent in La Llera, facepainting, shows and bouncy castles.
- 14 February (Saturday at 19:30): Grand Carnival Parade starting at Paseo del Muelle.
- 18 February (Wednesday): at calle La Fuente, burial of the sardine and music.
Llanes and Nueva Carnival 2026
A quick glance at carnival in Llanes and Nueva, as seen on the Llanes tourism website (for Nueva here).
- 14 February (Llanes): 19:00 start of the costume parade with music. 21:00 concert by Grupo Paréntesis.
- 20 February (Nueva): 16:30 to 19:30 kids’ carnival with games, chocolate and surprises… 21:30 start of the festivities and the parade with music. 23:00 concert and at 00:30 winners of the parade competition and bingo.
Mieres Carnival 2026
Here’s what we have gleamed from the Mieres carnival municipal website.
- Kids’ Antroxu (17 February): 17:00 music groups through the streets. 17:30 costume competition/parade. The Trumpchona will also be making an appearance here for the first time (yes, it is more or less what you think; this year Mieres town council decided to send a message of peace to the world and the US in particular by converting their traditional big trout [truchona] mascot into the TRUMPchona, see here if you don’t believe me).
- Grand Antroxu (20 February): 19:30 music on the streets. 20:00 Music on streets La Vega and M. Llanez with Trumpchona present. 20:30 Parade and float competition lead by the “Queen of the Carnival” the Trumpchona. 21:45 end of the carnival event with music and shows at the auditorium of Parque Jovellanos.
Cangas de Onís Carnival 2026
This is what I have found up to now on the municipal website.
- 15 February (17:00): At the tent on Plaza Camila Beceña there will be a kids’ carnival with a parade, games, dancing and chocolate.
Tapia de Casariego Carnival 2026
As seen on the town council’s website.
- 13 February: 11:00 to 14:00 the kids’ rural carnival at El Valle de San Agustín.
- 14 February: choir concert at 20:30 at the auditorium.
- 15 February: grand parade and party from 17:00 onwards.
- 16 February: kids’ rural carnival activities at Salave.
Cudillero Carnival 2026
We haven’t been able to gleam much of what is happening in Cudillero over carnival (though they do have a special campus for children on the days there is no school with a variety of workshops and fun activities, more info on their Facebook post here). The following is what we have found from their official Facebook page here.
- 17 February: kids’ parade from c/ Juan Antonio Bravo to Plaza La Marina.
- 21 February: fancy dress competition at the tent on the port, music, and entertainment for kids.
Candás Carnival 2026
A summary of what we have found on the municipal website looking for the carnival in Candás (most of the events take place at the tent in the park Parque de les Conserveres).
- 14 February: 11:30 kitchen workshop at Polivalente. 18:00 magician Mago Martín. 22:00-04:30 concerts and music.
- 15 February: 11:30 fancy dress workshop for adults (20 adults). 16:00 fancy dress workshop for kids (20 kids). 16:30 visit from Mickey and Minnie. 17:00-20:00 facepainting and bouncy castles. 19:00 music through the streets.
- 16 February: 18:30/19:00 music through the streets. 20:00 parade (Les Candases, Ramón y Cajal, Braulio Busto, El Rosal and Les Conserveres). 21:00 prizes. 22:00-04:30 concerts and music.
- 17 February: Kids’ parade with Bluey and Bingo (from La Baragaña, subiendo por la calle del Rosal to Les Conserveres). If raining, it will take place at the tent in the park. 18:00 – 20:00 DJ. 20:15 end of the carnival and music.
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