Cartagena launches Carnaval 2026 with parades and newly crowned Queens.
Photo Credit: Felipe G. Pagán / Cartagena City Hall
CARNAVAL celebrations are lighting up all over Spain, and the Costa Calida is no exception to the spectacular rule. The shining hub of the coastline, Cartagena, has been one of the main attractions for the 2026 edition of the Carnaval, and its celebrations are already in full swing. In fact, the city has already chosen its Queens for 2026, two locals that will be figureheads for the celebrations and signal the beginning of the most exciting Carnaval festivities.
Cartagena kicks off Carnaval: A celebration of culture and costume
Cartagena’s Carnaval kicked off on Friday, February 6 with an enormous and colourful parade, full of over-the-top costumes, feathers, glitter, makeup and music. The event has been a huge draw for visitors to the municipality, especially since its presentation at this year’s edition of FITUR, the largest international tourism fair in the world, held in Madrid in January.
The Costa Calida Queens crowned
The two Queens, one woman and one girl, were chosen at the massive Gala held at the Wssell de Guimbarda Municipal Sports Hall in Cartagena on Saturday, February 7. The two representatives were from the local comparsas, or organisations of singers, dancers, and musicians that participate in the grand Carnaval parades through the streets of the municipality. Aitana, from the comparsa “Ilusión de Galifa,” and Paloma, from “Salgueiro Kids,” were crowned for the Adult and Child Queens respectively at an event that united hundreds of excited Cartagena neighbours.
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The Queens, who will shine during the festivities, were chosen by a jury based on various criteria, including the quality and effort put into their performances leading up to the festivities. The selection of the Queens signals Cartagena’s entry into the biggest and most exciting days of its Carnaval festive programme, which will continue until Tuesday, February 17 with various choreography contests, chirigotas, music, merrymaking and a grand general parade that will leave locals and visitors dazzled.
Cartagena’s Carnaval: On the path to becoming of national tourist interest
Cartagena’s Carnaval is one of the biggest and brightest of the region of Murcia, having been declared of Regional Tourist Interest. This year, the city also applied for the recognition of National Tourist Interest, an honour that is awarded to the biggest tourist magnets and blowout events of the year on the Costa.
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