The story
Cadiz Carnival in Cadiz
Cadiz's February carnival built around satirical songwriting competitions, chirigotas and comparsas performing biting lyrical humor rather than visual spectacle. The formal COAC competition runs inside the Gran Teatro Falla, while unregistered street groups called ilegales add looser, spontaneous performances throughout the historic old town streets.
Cadiz Carnival runs for roughly two to three weeks each February, built around a fiercely competitive tradition of satirical songwriting performed by costumed groups, chirigotas, comparsas, coros, and quartetos, whose lyrics mock politicians, celebrities, and current events with a directness that distinguishes Cadiz sharply from carnivals elsewhere built primarily around visual spectacle.