Jávea's 'al fresco' carnival

CARNIVAL season has been threatening to be another washout in 2022 after Pego announced its famous pre-Lent party had been called off for the third year running – but Jávea's is still going ahead.

All is not lost for Marina Alta residents keen to get back into fancy dress, as Saturday, February 26 will see a return for the Carnestoltes in the bustling beach town – although with some changes.

Usually, Jávea sets up a marquée in the Plaza de la Constitución in the old town, above the underground car park, where drinks are sold and live and DJ music plays, but after last year's was lost to Covid, the 2022 edition will be entirely al fresco.

This means you might have to adapt your costume this year, and switch the Hawaiian grassskirt for a polar bear outfit.

The traditional children's costume parade will kick off at 17.00 – enrolment on the day is in the Plaza Marina Alta, or up to two days before at 19.00 in the Casal de Fogueres – and will be followed up by a kids' mini-disco, musical games and competitions, and live dancers and entertainers.

Grown-ups get partying once the sun has well and truly gone down, with the parade kicking off at 23.30 – entries taken up to 23.00 at the Fogueres bar – and the music coming next.

DJ Juan HDZ and Kandhala's resident DJ Félix Olivares will provide the sounds until well into the early hours.

Masks are obligatory for taking part in parades, so make sure your get-up incorporates one that looks to be part of your outfit if you want to maximise your chance of winning a prize for it.

In theory, masks are not needed for the outdoor discos, but if crowds become dense and social distancing is not possible, they should be worn.

Parade prizes are given to the best under-fives, the 5-12 age group and for teams, and in the adult category, best individual, best pair and best group.

What they actually win has not been confirmed, but will have been donated by local businesses, so might include cash, vouchers or physical goods.