Carnaval in Arroyo de la Miel / Benalmadena take place 6 weeks before Easter. It is one of the highlights of the year with parades at the beginning and the end of the week with a Carnival King and Queen taking pride of place in the last “official” parade.  However the local always turn out on the Sunday, gathering in Plaza Mezquita for their own parade which entails a giant (satirical) lizard being paraded through the streets and progresses down to the Santa Ana beach where with much music, dancing and celebration it set fire to and when only the ashes remain the Carnaval if recognised as over.