Celebrations launched last week across Spain, with mud battles, drag queen elections and rogue bands of animal skin-clad characters.
Many carnivals will end this week before Ash Wednesday, when the Catholic Lent season of prayer and self-restraint begins, though some will continue to party on.
This weekend Spaniards partook in some very old, pagan traditions – including chasing a “rooster” around a village – but there were also many glamorous, modern festivals with larger-than-life costumes.
Gallery: Carnival weekend kicks off with parades and pagan parties
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