Carnival is a local holiday in 12 municipalities in the Spanish working calendar; in 2026 the most common date is 16 February.
Other regions: 2 · 2 municipalities
Verified data
In 2026, the dataset records Carnaval as a local holiday in 26 municipalities, accounting for 232,235 residents in the 2025 register. The most common date is 17 February 2026. 16 municipalities set it on another date.
This comparison uses only the official working calendars incorporated into the dataset for each year.
Demographic profile
Age, citizenship, birthplace and average-age structure from the 2025 Annual Population Census.
50.2% / 49.8%
13.7%
67.1%
19.1%
12.8%
17.5%
43.6 years
Comparison with Spain and with the aggregate of the 8 regions where it is observed. All five comparisons are population-weighted and use only the 2025 Annual Census. A positive sign means the covered population has a higher value than the benchmark.
| Demographic profile | Covered population | Compared with Spain | Compared with its 8 regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 0–14 | 13.7% | +0.8 pp | +0.7 pp |
| Aged 65+ | 19.1% | -1.6 pp | -1.8 pp |
| Foreign citizenship | 12.8% | -1.2 pp | -0.1 pp |
| Born outside Spain | 17.5% | -1.8 pp | +0.4 pp |
| Weighted mean age | 43.6 years | -1 years | -1 years |
The largest difference from Spain is in “Born outside Spain”: -1.8 pp.
Sex comes from the 2025 municipal register; all other metrics come from the 2025 Annual Census. Each percentage uses the total from its own statistical operation. INE municipal tables 68535 and 68541.
In the working calendar, Carnival appears as a local holiday — not as a national or general regional holiday. Each municipality may set up to two local holidays a year; This dedication or name is one of those that most municipalities adopt (12 in the reference index).
In 2026, among the municipalities that record it, the most common date is 16 February. 5 municipalities set it on another date. The communities with the most records are Andalusia, Castilla and León, Castilla-La Mancha and Catalonia. This page summarises the scope verified in the dataset; It does not add legends or local traditions that have not been checked. The details of each municipality keeps its official source.
When
In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 17 February in most municipalities. 16 move it to another date (when it lands on a weekend or by local agreement).
| Year | Main date | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tuesday, 13 February | 6 |
| 2025 | Monday, 3 March | 7 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, 17 February | 26 |
Where it's a holiday
Its local holiday in 2026, by region. Each municipality links to its annual record and the available official source.
Together, they account for 232,235 residents in the INE municipal register at 1 January 2025.
Castilla y León2
Castilla-La Mancha2
Aragón1
Comunidad Foral de Navarra1
Principado de Asturias1
FAQ
In 2026, Carnaval is mainly celebrated on 17 February 2026 (Tuesday). Some municipalities move it to another date on the working calendar.
It's a local holiday in 26 municipalities in 2026, accounting for 232,235 residents in the 2025 register; mostly in Cataluña (9 municipalities).
No. Carnaval is a local-level holiday: it's only a non-working day in the municipalities that set it as their local festival; each keeps its official source.
Other holidays
Per-municipality data with its official source (regional gazette). Every date is verifiable on the municipality page. Data from festivos.io — CC BY 4.0.