Paseo del Capitán y Juramento de la Bandera
Crowds line the square to see the parade of bedecked villagers and the throwing of chorizo into the crowd, followed by skilled flag twirling.
Villanueva de la Vera Carnival
El Peropalo
Villanueva de la Vera, Spain
Feb 20 - 27, 2027Expected
Each Carnival, the village of Villanueva de la Vera puts a life-sized straw puppet called the Peropalo on trial. Villagers in regional dress fill the streets with tambourines and drums as they parade and judge the figure, in a riotous celebration that blends old winter fertility rites with the customs of Christian Carnival.
Documentation note
FestivalAtlas keeps this celebration available for timing and respectful planning without inviting public footage.
How we decideKey moments
Trial of the Peropalo
Visitors watch villagers choose sides (accusers/defenders) and enjoy the humorous trial proceedings and songs.
Execution and Burning of the Peropalo
Spectators gather around as the puppet burns to ashes. Traditional jota music and drumming accompany the event, ending with cheers and relief.
Around 18:00
Where it happens
Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Aniceto Mariñas)
Villanueva de la Vera, Spain
Open in MapsHow to show up well
Dress for the setting
Casual festive clothing (water-resistant recommended)
Ask before close-up photos
Engage respectfully: join rounds of music, and if playing “oyes” or participating in water-...
Respect local boundaries
This is a community festival: join the dancing if invited, but avoid rude behavior. Respect...
Practical notes
Crowds & timing
Crowd level: high.
Tickets
Free events are available.
Documented conservatively
Context first. No public coverage mission.
FestivalAtlas keeps Villanueva de la Vera Carnival available for timing, cultural context, and respectful planning, without inviting public footage or contributor coverage for this event.
No media solicitation shownHow we decide
REGIONAL COMMUNITY & FOLK LIFE
Villanueva de la Vera Carnival
El Peropalo
Villanueva de la Vera, Spain
Each Carnival, the village of Villanueva de la Vera puts a life-sized straw puppet called the Peropalo on trial. Villagers in regional dress fill the streets with tambourines and drums as they parade and judge the figure, in a riotous celebration that blends old winter fertility rites with the customs of Christian Carnival.
Limited mediaMedia intentionally limited
Under the radarStill under the radar
Feb 20 - 27, 2027Expected dates
Verified this year
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About Villanueva de la Vera Carnival
The Peropalo carnival combines pre-Christian winter fertility rites with Christian Carnival practices. Its protagonist (the Peropalo) is historically portrayed as an oppressive tax collector or bandit (locally likened to Judas), reflecting medieval social tensions. Though legends about its origin are varied and murky, locals have celebrated it for over a century. By tradition, the Peropalo puppet “revives” each year from a wooden head preserved annually,...
This is a community festival: join the dancing if invited, but avoid rude behavior. Respect the symbolic rituals (e.g. do not touch the puppet or actors). Note that while the ritual involves a donkey, it is never harmed and only one donkey...
What visitors should understand
Attendance can be appropriate while active documentation is not. Let local boundaries define your role.
What not to do
unrestricted
Observation may be enough
Some celebrations are best approached quietly: arrive prepared, follow posted rules, and leave without turning the moment into content.
The story behind it
The Peropalo carnival combines pre-Christian winter fertility rites with Christian Carnival practices. Its protagonist (the Peropalo) is historically portrayed as an oppressive tax collector or bandit (locally likened to Judas), reflecting medieval social tensions. Though legends about its origin are varied and murky, locals have celebrated it for over a century. By tradition, the Peropalo puppet “revives” each year from a wo...
Key moments to know
Paseo del Capitán y Juramento de la Bandera
Crowds line the square to see the parade of bedecked villagers and the throwing of chorizo into the crowd, followed by skilled flag twirling.
Trial of the Peropalo
Visitors watch villagers choose sides (accusers/defenders) and enjoy the humorous trial proceedings and songs.
Around 18:00Approximate
Execution and Burning of the Peropalo
Spectators gather around as the puppet burns to ashes. Traditional jota music and drumming accompany the event, ending with cheers and relief.
How to show up well
respectful presence
Dress for the setting
Casual festive clothing (water-resistant recommended)
Ask before close-up photos
Engage respectfully: join rounds of music, and if playing “oyes” or participating in water-throwing, do so with...
Respect local boundaries
This is a community festival: join the dancing if invited, but avoid rude behavior. Respect the symbolic ritual...
Essentials at a glance
Date window
Feb 20 - 27, 2027
Estimated
City / Area
Villanueva de la Vera
Extremadura
Cost
Free public events available
Good for
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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