If there is a surprising carnival and of quite a different kind in the Basque Country, that must be the one in Tolosa, which attracts visitors from all around the world who want join this wild celebration. Its wide and established tradition were sufficient for it to be celebrated even when it was forbidden, disguised as the “Festivity of Spring”.

During six days this town of the interior of Gipuzkoa stops its activities with its most awaited festivities, in which the whole town takes part. The originality of this carnival begins with the disguise, which must be made by each participant, using one’s own imagination and whatever can be found around the house.

The celebration begins with the “chupinazo” (a firework being launched), which provides the signal for people to start having fun in the streets. A characteristic of Sunday is the reveille, which must be attended dressed in pyjamas, straight out of bed. And the main day of carnival is, without a doubt, Tuesday. On this day, there are “vaquillas” (young bulls chasing people), the parades and the traditional burial of the Sardine, which means a mourning good-bye to Don Carnal until the following year.