January around the Mediterranean kicks off the year with energy, colour, and tradition, as winter festivals and carnival season begin to bloom. Spain’s Carnival of Águilas launches at the end of the month and rolls all the way into February, filling the streets with music, costumes, and nonstop celebration. On the sporting side, La Leyenda de Tartessos returns in early February, testing endurance across Andalusia’s dramatic landscapes and ancient trails. And in Slovenia, the Cerknica Carnival brings folk humour, parades, and a joyful burst of mid-winter spectacle. From late-January festivities to the big February highlights, the Mediterranean start to the year is packed with unforgettable events.