Barcelona Event: Carnival in Sitges

Acknowledged by the straight and gay press as Spain's wildest party, the Sitges Carnival will entertain even the most demanding visitor. Its most popular days see the streets of the fishing village-cum-popular gay resort packed with around 250,000 revellers - Catalonians, French, English, Italians and Germans, all dressed to the nines and ready to party. Jueves Lardero ("Fatty Thursday") marks the beginning of carnival with a gargantuan celebration of local dishes. There's more to do than eat, though. The busiest days are Sunday and Tuesday, when the local carnival guilds parade down the Rúa del Extermini in decorated carriages, sporting some amazingly kitsch, razzle-dazzle type outfits. Tuesday, the penultimate day of carnival, also sees some amazing drag shows. You can't call yourself a drag show enthusiast until you've been to Sitges during carnival, when some of Europe's greatest drag talents come out to strut their stuff. Barcelona has a flourishing gay scene; it's probably better for men but it's also improving for women. Many of the city's clubs cater for mixed crowds, getting more gay towards the coast. For detailed carnival listings, pick up a map at Zeus Gay Shop at Calle Riera Alta and Sextienda, or visit the carnival website. Entry free.