Carnival in Madrid: celebrations, parties and what's on

The opening speech on the Plaza de la Villa gets the Carnival festivities going. A leading figure in the capital city declares a few words before a euphoric audience thirsting for fun. Later, from El Retiro to Cibeles, the great Carnival parade takes place with hundreds of participants dressed up as colourful characters. You'll find music, fun and good vibes in abundance for adults and kids of all ages throughout the streets of Madrid. This year, the parade pays tribute to 'Don Quixote', by Miguel de Cervantes, whose second part was published 400 years ago. So you'll be seeing characters such as the Knight of the White Moon, Sancho Panza and Dulcinea del Toboso strolling through the city. There will also be reproductions of chapters of the tome, such as the adventure of the Lions or the tableu of Maese Pedro. And don't miss out on activities in areas such as La Latina, Tetuán or Vallecas, where they're organising their own tributes to Don Carnal.

Head to the Círculo de Bellas Artes for this festival of masks that carries the slogan ‘Carnaval al desnudo’ ('Naked Carnival'), a dance that has already become a tradition during Madrid's Carnival period, along with the costume contest. You'll find Venetian masks and outrageous costumes dancing to the rhythms provided by artists like CF Grand Wizardo, DJ Floro, DJ Tito and DJ Bombín. There will also be a batucada, and live performances from Tomasito and the band Eskorzo. And the MC of the party this year is Spanish comedian Joaquín Reyes, so there will be plenty of laughter, even if you don't know what he's saying!

New York, cabaret and a really big show. That oughtta do the trick to get you to Platea Madrid this weekend, where, besides putting on a great spread, the place will be overflowing with live performances. On Friday it's the piano and voice of Kike Jambalaya takes you to the New Orleans of the Great Depression and its Mardi Gras (musically speaking, that is). Saturday brings the period band Desvariétés. Don't freak out if you see colourful characters from the Ale Hop company messing about around the venue. And on Sunday, the Suonne Ensemble brings order back to the Platea with their smooth and intimate chamber music. But keep on your toes because there will be many more surprises.

There's also room for the higher arts during this week of wild fun. Teatros del Canal take you on a journey to a Baroque-style Carnival in pure Venice style with popular music, dancing and 'commedia dell'arte'. Le Poème Harmonique with their vocal and instrumental musical expertise, will transport you right back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and you don't even have to move from your seat.

The club Lemon is going with the theme of the Carnival of Carnivals; that is, the Carnival of Brazil. Courtesy of the group Coco Malangāo, you'll feel as though you were in Rio de Janeiro (well, they can't do anything about the weather...). Percussion and Latin American rhythms will have you moving non-stop through a night full of samba, Afro-Brazilian melodies and a good time guaranteed.

Having a hard time choosing between celebrating Valentine's Day or Carnival? Never fear. The Società Italiana di Beneficenza is putting on a romantic costume party. The theme this year is 'Great love stories' and it's set up like Carnival in Venice. The room will be full of the most popular lovers in history, including some of the most magnetic couples from the pages of international literature. If you put a lot of work into it, you could even win the costume contest. In addition to having a great night, it's also a good chance to brush up on your Italian. The entrance fee includes two drinks, a tasting of typical Italian products and music with a DJ.

DJ Kabuto, Romántico and Flashman are in charge of the music you'll be moving your feet to at this Carnival party that's been going on for a decade. And it's not expensive to get in – just a tenner will get you in the door and a drink to boot. Come in costume, of course, and dance until dawn.

While it's true that Carnival is full of Brazilian beats and that percussion dominates the music during the festival, but that doesn't mean rockers have to give up the pleasure of a good electric guitar. Gruta 77 is putting on a special party with Juan Abarca and Los Petersellers.

The 'cultural canteen' Liber Arte is putting on a Carnival festival surrounded by a bohemian aura and with a touch of the Brazilian about it. Between its exposed brick walls you can have a nice cup of tea, a delicious Ribera del Duero while you dine on tasty toasts, and take part in the special activities. Saturday there's a show on for kids with Brazilian percussion, on Sunday there's a samba class, and Monday you can sing and dance with a choir. The show is suitable for adults and little ones.

The 'Entierro de la Sardina' (Burial of the Sardine) puts the final point on the Carnival celebrations on Wednesday 18, when the city dresses in mourning clothes to bid a final farewell to one of its favourite holidays. The Burial of the Sardine (accompanied by mourners, gravediggers and all kinds of funeral ornaments) marks the return of the costumes to the closets for another year. Besides the transporting of the symbolic deceased fish, there will also be one last parade. You'll never see a funeral procession so full of joy and colour. The route starts at the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida at 6pm and ends at the Fuente de los Pajaritos in Plaza de las Moreras.