The event is organised by tour operator Soul in the Algarve, which every May since 2005 has brought several hundred soul music lovers from the UK and beyond for a week of sun and fun in the Algarve.
On Sunday 13 May, thousands of people again flocked to the village to watch the carnival, which fills the cobbled streets with colourful costumes and upbeat parades.
The mega Mardi Gras-style carnival parade is organised by British events entrepreneur Vivy B, who runs the Soul Network and Soul in the Algarve holidays.
Local businesswoman Kate Fitzsimmons, who owns the Sunset Alvor Bar, said: “It’s brilliant; it brings people in from all over the Algarve, not just locals, and now people know about it and know it’s on, some even plan their holidays to coincide with it”.
She added the SITA carnival has come to unofficially mark start of summer, “because it so colourful and so much fun.”
The first SITA Carnival was held in May 2015 to celebrate 10 years of bringing groups of visitors to Alvor, and has become a firm favourite among locals.
“Since that day we have not looked back and the SITA carnival is now a hugely celebrated annual event in the beautiful fishing village of Alvor”, says Vivy B, adding “We dress up in colourful Carnival costumes and parade. We put this event on to say thank you to the people of Alvor for welcoming us back each year.”