Eco-conscious carnival

Carnival fun its not at odds with being conscious about our planet, a point well proved by these young students at CEIP Racó de L'Albir at their carnival parade yesterday (Thursday) as they dressedup and campaigned to save the planet at the same time. Elisa's (insert) Chinese fan told everyone 'Recycle more, pollute less'.

Carnival celebrations will be held throughout the Costa Blanca this weekend

Everyone will be dressing up this weekend to celebrate and enjoy the happy atmosphere.

Here is a list of the most important and famous Carnival celebrations and parades taking place across the Costa.

ALCALÀ DE XIVERT

Alcalà de Xivert holds its great carnival this weekend, filling the town’s streets up with people, colour and music to ensure all have a good time. Friday, February 21 22.00: Parade beginning and ending at C/ General Cucala.

22.30: The ‘Carnival king’ arrives at the town hall, followed by live music at the Espai d’Oci.

Saturday, February 22 16.30: Children’s parade beginning and ending at plaza Ricardo Cardona.

22.00 Grand parade beginning and ending at C/ General Cucala, and with a sambadrome at Plaza Juan Vilanova. Sunday, February 23 18.00: ‘Burial’ of the ‘Carnival king’ to say goodbye to the festivities at C/ General Cucala, followed by a parade and ending with the ‘burning of the Carnival king’.

ALFAZ DEL PI

On Saturday, February 22 Alfaz will be hosting a free Children’s Carnival party, organised by the Department of Youth and Fiestas with the collaboration of the Alfaz IV Scout Group and 2020 Penya Association.

Starting at 11am in the huge tent located in the sports centre carpark, there will be a fun parade around the town centre.

After the parade there will be lots of fun activities such as bouncy castles, games, a gymkana and string of 2,000 coloured balloons.

Prizes will be awarded for the best fancy-dress costume and the fun will continue until 3.30pm.

All children are invited to take part.

ALICANTE

Saturday, February 22 ‘Sábado Ramblero’ During the whole day there will be carnival celebrations with events for all the family including workshops, story telling and many other activities.

19.00 – 21.00 There will be a street parade with loud drum music (Batucada’) passing through the following streets: Teniente Daoiz, Ávarez and Plaza del Carmen. Traffic flow will be prohibited through these roads at this time and from 15.30 parking will not be permitted either.

22.00 – 4.30 Music in the Rambla de Méndez Núñez where everyone gathers in fancy dress costumes to enjoy the party night.

Sunday, February 23 Activities for adults and children along the main front promenade (‘Explanada’).

BENIDORM

The annual colourful Carnival Parade takes place in Benidorm tomorrow, Saturday February 22.

The date changes each year dependant on when Easter falls, but the procession always takes place on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday – pancake day which precedes Ash Wednesday.

This signals the beginning of Lent when tradition dictates that you give up something you enjoy for a period of 40 days, symbolising the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness.

The carnival parade represents the last celebration before this period of reflection.

There will be two parades on Saturday. Starting at 10:30am in the morning will be the children’s parade but the main adult one takes place in the evening, scheduled to start at 9:30pm from the very top of Avenida Ruzafa in the old town and finishing in the town hall square.

Roads will be closed and detours in place so expect traffic jams if driving.

The entire route will be lined with spectators and the obligatory loudspeakers, blasting out music at full volume.

There is a competition for the best fancy dress, with cash prizes for the winners.

Many groups will be themed, with choreographed routines and many take on a satirical political stance, which with elections coming up will undoubtedly feature prominently this year.

Benidorm's Burial of the Sardine on Tuesday, February 25

Carnival celebrations draw to a close on Tuesday, February 25 with the ritual "Burial of the Sardine”- a tradition captured by Goya in one of his paintings. This signals the beginning of Lent, an abstinence of something you enjoy for a period of 40 which takes you up to Easter. There will be a solemn procession, which begins at around 9.30pm, starting at Plaza Mayor, winding through the Old Town and ending up at the Poniente Beach, where the sardine is ceremoniously buried on the beach to signal the start of Lent – don’t forget it’s also Pancake Day!

CALPE

Saturday February 22, Calpe carnival will be held in the Plaza Mayor. The fun begins at 13.00 with a ‘Xaranga Bataclan’ (music band), followed by the children’s carnival parade at 17.00. At 17.30, the children will enjoy a snack and a mini-disco. At 19.00 there will be a DJ performance, and a prize giving ceremony will take place at 22.00 with awards given to both individuals and groups in the parade.

A bar service will be available from midnight.

DENIA

This Saturday February 22, Carnival returns to Denia with the East being represented and the Department of Festivities have organised a costume contest so anyone wanting to participate and qualify for the costume competition should use this as inspiration for their dress.

The party and awards ceremony will be taking place in the Plaza de Valgamedios with the parade beginning at 17.30, from the Plaza del Consell. Registrations for the costume contest can be made here The parade will return back to Valgamedios approximately an hour later, 18.30.

Contest categories are as follows:

■ Mini (up to 4 years)

■ Children (from 5 to 12 years old)

■ Duo (groups of two people without age limit)