Bilbao prepares for 5 intense days of Carnival
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The Town Council has announced the full programme of Carnivals to be held in the town from 17 to 21 February. The programme includes free activities for all ages. The 2023 Carnival will give greater prominence to its most beloved characters, Farolín and Zaranbolas, this year embodied by the actress and actor couple Ylenia Baglietto and Lander Otaola.
Precisely, one of the changes with respect to the traditional programme affects the pair of characters: the Farolín and Zaranbolas detention changes location and, for the first time this year, will begin in Plaza Arriaga at 18:30 and will continue in Plaza Nueva.
The children's workshops will also be moved. This year, the marquee in Plaza Nueva will host this activity during the morning and afternoon of Saturday 18th and the afternoons of Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st.
The youngest members of the family will be the main protagonists of this year's edition with a stellar event on the morning of Friday 17 February at 10:30 am, the Children's Parade of the Schools, with the participation of 6 schools from Bilbao - Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Maestro Garcia Rivero, Mujika Eskola, Iparragirre Ikastola, Ave Maria, Artxandape Ikastola-. Games, dance, music, colour... will involve them more than ever throughout the route and also once they reach the Plaza Nueva, where they will be able to enjoy the traditional chocolatada with a show included.
Another of the main objectives of the programme is to give greater importance to the day of Saturday, 18 February. Thus, in the evening, a musical show and two concerts in the Plaza Nueva will extend the festivities.
Saturday 18
The most eagerly awaited day for the people of Bilbao will start at 11:00 with children's workshops in the marquee in Plaza Nueva, with the Gargantua in the courthouse area and with the opening in the Plaza Circular of the enclosure of our most carnival-like Bilbao characters, Farolín and Zaranbolas. The Giants and Big-heads will also take to the streets again from 12:00 noon onwards, accompanied by Bizkaiko Dantzarien Biltzarra, to walk around the Plaza Arriaga and Casco Viejo.
At 12:00 there will also be the opening ceremony of the Big Saturday in the Plaza Circular and the stage will host a Swing workshop by Little Harlem Akademia.
At the same time, but also on Gran Vía, Bilboko Gaiteroak will be livening up the streets together with the Adiskideak fanfare, and at the Berastegi Street metro exit, the people who wish to take part in the Individual Costume Competition will be taking note of their participation, which will last until 14:30. Entries can be formalised until 12:15 p.m. and the prizes will be handed out at 4:45 p.m. in the Plaza Circular.
At 16:00 the traditional kalejira and the classic Carnival Costume Competition will take place. Those wishing to wear their original and fun costumes must register at 16:00 in Marqués del Puerto Street. In this case, the prizes will be handed out at 20:30 in Plaza Nueva.
In addition, in Berastegi Street, from 17:30 until 20:00, it will be possible to take a "selfie" with the Sardina.
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