Sitges held its spectacular Rua de l’Extermini Carnival parade this evening, with significant participation from more than 2,000 people accompanying 38 floats and thousands of onlookers. The Rua de l’Extermini was headed by the float of Rei Carnestoltes, Sa Majestat Tatoo Filòs del Plor Antic Carnestoltes I, with the Érem Pocs group. The carnival queen arrived with the group La Salsa del Xató and was tasked with rounding off the parade. Between the king and the queen, 36 floats took part, 16 of them from the Societat Recreativa El Retiro, 13 of them from the Casino Prado Suburense and 7 of them from the Independents group.

As stipulated, the Retiro floats followed just behind Carnestoltes on Tuesday as it was the El Prado platforms that did so on Sunday. The 36 groups taking part in the parade allowed us to see the diversity of Carnival in Sitges, with groups in feathers and others in festive get-ups, prompting the admiration of thousands of onlookers who gathered along the route, in an evening with no incidents of note.

Following the Rua de l’Extermini parade, today brings Ash Wednesday and the Burial ceremony. The Érem Pocs group have informed us that the members of the Sa Majestat Tatoo Filòs del Plor Antic Carnestoltes I have been unable to handle the overdose of energy of the last few days. The Royal entourage expects to open the chapel of rest at the Town Hall from 6.30 pm to receive votive offerings from the Commission, the Town Council, organisations and groups. The public can also send their Carnival offerings. Towards 7 pm, the burial procession, the Rua de l’Enterro, will set off around the streets of Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire and Passeig de la Ribera, ending up at La Fragata. A ritual worthy of the Carnival King and the reading of the will round off the end of the reign of Carnestoltes for 2026. Old Mother Lent comes arrives straight after, signalling the start of the new cycle in the annual calendar.

The full programme is available at www.sitges.cat/comerc.

Photos of the ceremonies can be found in the Town Council's Flickr album.