Laza, Galicia, Spain’s Ant-Throwing Festival

In the small town of Laza, Galicia, one of Spain’s strangest and wildest traditions takes place during Carnival season—the ant-throwing festival! Every February, just before Lent, Laza celebrates Carnival with costumes, parades, music, and… yes, actual ants. But these aren’t ordinary ants. Locals collect ants with wings, keep them in boxes, and then during the festival release them on unsuspecting participants—sometimes after shaking them up with a bit of vinegar to make them extra feisty!

The ant battle is part of what makes Entroido de Laza (Laza Carnival) famous. People run, laugh, and scream while ants crawl on their clothes and skin. But it’s not scary—it’s part of the fun! Everyone expects to get “attacked,” and it turns into a game of endurance and silliness. Imagine going to a festival where instead of confetti or water balloons, people toss around insects—that’s what makes Laza’s Carnival stand out from all others in Spain.

Ant-throwing Festival in Laza, Galicia, Spain

Of course, the festival isn’t just about ants. There are colorful parades with costumes, traditional dances, and characters like the Peliqueiros. These are people dressed in bright, historic costumes with masks and cowbells who run through the streets, chasing and playfully whipping festivalgoers with sticks. Along with music, food, and plenty of laughter, the whole event feels like a mix of history, mischief, and total chaos.

For the people of Laza, this Carnival is about keeping their traditions alive and making sure everyone—locals and visitors—has a story to tell afterward. While some towns celebrate Carnival with glitter or samba, Laza does it with ants, costumes, and wild fun. It might sound unusual, but that’s exactly why it’s one of the most unforgettable festivals in Spain!