Carnavalcázar, the Carnival of Alcázar de San Juan

For more than two centuries, this town in Ciudad Real has celebrated this carnival, the only one to be held in December.

There is documentation showing that in 1813 the inhabitants of Alcázar de San Juan decided to hold a pagan dance on Christmas Eve, and that this was the start of the Carnival tradition that they still celebrate today. Visitors can see the Grand Parade of Troupes, a parade of children in costumes, a Ciclagata (a fun parade with bicycles), a parade with masks, and the traditional Burial of the Sardine on the last day. Fun is guaranteed in this town in Castilla-La Mancha, which is also notable for its attractive historic town centre and its Hidalgo House Museum, commemorating the lives of the traditional gentry who inspired Miguel de Cervantes to write Don Quixote.