The Carnaval de Vilanova i la Geltrú is a centuries-old festival of social satire and parody, held by the sea. Unlike other carnivals, there are no sequins or samba: the streets fill with music, improvised costumes and the scent of freshly made merengue. The city becomes a spontaneous stage where the community takes centre stage. Its defining symbol is the sweet-throwing battle, but the true spirit is found by wandering through the squares amid laughter, satire and shared tradition.
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Les Comparses is the centrepiece: thousands of couples parade waving the banners of local groups, dance to the rhythm of “El Turuta” and throw sweets to the crowd in a shared ritual.
La Merengada – a full-scale meringue battle – and the Xatonada Popular, a communal tasting of xató [the area's traditional salad of salt cod, tuna and olives] round off an experience that is participative, playful and unmistakably local.