Costume shops expect similar carnival celebrations as before Covid-19

Catalan costume stores are expecting a similar carnival celebration as the ones in 2019. The sector is preparing for the first festivities since the pandemic first broke in March 2020.

The reopening of the nightlife sector on February 11 encourages, even more, those businesses focused on carnivals in Catalonia. The celebrations will take place the last week of February, starting on Thursday 24, the ‘Dijous Gras’ with a lot of enthusiasm from customers.

‘Dijous Gras’ or Fat Thursday in English is the first day of carnival and is a day where indulging in fatty foods is allowed and even encouraged.

Carnivals were one of the few massive events celebrated in 2020 as the state of alarm, limiting movements and taking over Catalan key services, was not announced until March 14, 2020.

In 2021, however festivities in Catalonia were not as lucky as the previous year. The nightlife sector was close as the territory was going through the third wave of Covid-19. At the time, authorities limited parties, and city councils canceled all in-person events. However, some found ways to celebrate carnival such as online activities.

"People are willing to go out and celebrate, but if establishments were closed nobody would be motivated enough," according to Mercè Olivé from Vidal Vallhonrat costumes speaking to the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Another costume businesswoman, Isabel Carvajal from Menkes, has been receiving a lot of requests once there were rumors that the nightlife sector would reopen. Carnival will take place "with even more hope" than before the pandemic, Carvajal said to ACN.

Regarding the most popular costumes, experts highlight the interest from clients on outfits related to ‘Squid Game’, ‘Money Heist’, or ‘The Handmaid Tale’. But, people are still interested in, what the sector calls, classic costumes such as superheroes, knights, and princesses as well as animal designs.

Halloween, a carnival teaser

Costume shops are excited ahead of the carnival festivities as people were already thrilled with Halloween, back in October.

"People celebrated [Halloween] as never seen before, almost as if they were celebrating Carnestoltes," Anna Barquet from Barquet costumes in the city of Sabadell told the ACN. After two years of Covid-19 measures, stores feel their clients "really want to go out" especially after the recent lifting of restrictions that give them "better expectancies."

Businesses are aware that the year will be "unbeatable" compared to 2021 but acknowledge that the overall carnival campaign will not be as good as before the pandemic. Although stores expect to improve current sale levels in the upcoming weeks ahead of the festivities.

The "stock is ready, but there is an uncertainty regarding carnival, as you can’t predict what will happen with the pandemic," the Vidal Valhonrat team pointed out to ACN.

Catalonia, different carnival celebrations

Despite the lifting of measures, some carnival parades such as in the southern city of Reus, in the seaside town of Cunit, or in, near Barcelona, Calella have been suspended or postponed. However, in Sitges, the town par excellence in these festivities has confirmed they will go ahead with the 2022 parade.

To make sure the celebration can go ahead, authorities have ruled some new measures such as a ban on alcohol consumption and a different parade route.

Parades will be able to take the streets "with all needed safety measures" Oti Blanco, president of the ‘Independents’ association, which englobes several Sitges’ cars parade, said to ACN.

The other main carnival celebration in Catalonia takes place in Vilanova i la Geltrú, near Sitges. This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, authorities have canceled the parade held on Friday evening. The only big event will be the most traditional part where the King of Carnival will read a statement.