lifestyle, travel This is Cozumel

The dates for Cozumel Carnival 2024 will be confirmed towards the end of year, but the biggest celebrations and parades are expected to be on the nights of Saturday, February 10; Sunday, February 11 and Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2024. It'll be the 150th Cozumel Carnival, so expect it to be big!

Register here for our free news updates to receive more Carnival information by email as soon as it's available.

The island's spectacular annual Mardis Gras has 150 years of history and is held around February every year, although the exact dates vary. This year, the celebrations were cancelled, but the festivities will be back with a bang next year!

Cozumel Carnival 2022

In the weeks before the main events there is also an exciting program of "pre-Carnival" warm-up events, including the presentation and election of Carnival Kings and Queens, with dancing, performances, and live music from top singers and groups. To get an idea, see the full Cozumel Carnival program from 2020 published below.

Cozumel Carnival 2016

'Fat Tuesday' concludes events every year with dazzling technicolor processions along Cozumel's downtown oceanfront. Costumed revellers battle in dancing competitions and bands play live music around the city.

People line the street, dancing with the performers and catching gifts that are showered on them. After the oceanfront extravaganza, the music keeps playing and parties continue well into the night.

Then, on the Wednesday after Fat Tuesday, the closing ceremony is held with the traditional burning of Juan Carnaval.

Cozumel Carnival 2024 Program

We’ll post the full program for next year here as soon as it is announced. Register here for our free news updates to receive more Carnival information by email as soon as it's available.

 

Cozumel Carnival Program Example

Here's an example program from Cozumel Carnival in 2020 to give an idea of what to expect.

Pre-Carnival Events

 

Sat, Jan 25

Welcome and Introduction of King and Queen candidates with dancing and performances. Live performance by Manuel Turizo.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sun, Jan 26

First public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume.

7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Sat, Feb 1

Presentation of the King and Queen candidates with costumes and dancing. Live performance by El Fresa y la Sentencia.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sun, Feb 2

Second public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume.

7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Fri, Feb 7

Ladies' Show

5pm til late, Convention Center *TICKET*

Sat, Feb 8

Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival King and Queen.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sun, Feb 9

Announcement of winners and grand public presentation of elected Carnival King and Queen.

7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Fri, Feb 14

Dancing and Voting for Diversity King and Queen. Live music by Nani Mamú y Sus Estrellas.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sat, Feb 15

Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Youth King and Queen. Live music by Yerbabuena.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sun, Feb 16

Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Children's King and Queen.

6pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Carnival Events

 

Wed, Feb 19

Grand Opening and Coronation of Carnival Kings and Queens. Live music by Alma Libre.

7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Thu, Feb 20

Group Competitions - Kindergarten and Infant School Categories. Presentation of the Special King and Queen.

4pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Fri, Feb 21

Costume Competitions - Baby, Kindergarten and Infant School Categories, and Pets.

10am, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

 

Group Competitions - Youth and Open Categories. Live music from Alma Libre.

10pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sat, Feb 22

First Grand Carnival Parade.

6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE*

 

Masked Ball, Costume Contest and Empress Show. Live music from Reik.

10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Sun, Feb 23

Second Grand Carnival Parade.

6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE*

 

Public Concert. Live music from Los Super Lamas.

10pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Mon, Feb 24

Big Color 5k Race.

4pm, Oceanfront Flag Plaza *FREE*

 

Tropical Ball, presentation of the Ladies Show Queen and traditional, comical Torito Wacax-Ché show. Live music from Chico Che Chico and La Sonora Tropicana.

p>10pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET*

Tue, Feb 25

FAT TUESDAY - Final Grand Carnival Parade.

6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE*

 

Public Grand Finale Concert. Live music from Chayanne.

After the parade, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

Wed, Feb 26

Awards Ceremony and Traditional Burning of Juan Carnaval

7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE*

*FREE* - Free event open to public: arrive early! *TICKET* - ticketed event requires advance purchase of tickets from booth at City Hall or on door in some cases, subject to availability. Events may be subject to change without notice.

More Cozumel Carnival News and Photos

Cozumel Celebrates Caribbean Carnival

Carnival Party Explodes In Cozumel

Counting Down to Cozumel Carnival

Cozumel Carnival 2020 Dates Set

5 Corking Cozumel Carnival Close-Ups

5 Cracking Carnival Photos To Kickoff The Party

Carnival Captivates Cozumel

New Year, New Carnival!

Cozumel Carnival Program Confirmed

Cozumel Carnival Is Coming!

Let Cozumel Carnival Begin!

Amazing Finale To Cozumel Carnival

Battle For Carnival King And Queen Begins

Cozumel Carnival, Fat Tuesday 2014, Google+ Photo Album Cozumel Carnival 2014 Dates Set

Cozumel Carnival, Fat Tuesday 2013, Facebook Photo Album

Spectacular Climax To Cozumel Carnival 2013

Cozumel Carnival Countdown Begins

Amazing End To Cozumel Carnival

Cozumel Carnival Kicks Off!

Cozumel Carnival, Fat Tuesday 2012, Facebook Photo Album

Paulina Rubio performing at Cozumel Carnival, Facebook Photo Album

Cozumel Carnival Countdown Begins

Glittering Grand Finale To Carnival

Who Will Be Carnival King And Queen?

Cozumel Carnival 2011 Program Confirmed

Carnival 2011 Dates Confirmed

Massive Cozumel Carnival Party

Take Part In Cozumel Carnival 2010!

Cozumel Carnival Fever Is Back!

Spectacular Carnival Finale.

Carnival King and Queen Elected.

Pop Diva Opens Cozumel Carnival.

Carnival Fever Begins.

Fantastic Fat Tuesday.

Carnival Coronation 2008.

Cozumel Carnival King and Queen.

Carnival 2008 Program Announced.

Carnival 2008 Dates Confirmed.

130 Years Of Carnival History.

Mayor's 2007 Carnival Message.

Emotional Carnival 2007 Closing Night.

Dancing For A Carnival Dream.

First Carnival 2007 Parade.

Carnival Crazy Cozumel 2007!

Get Ready for Cozumel Carnival 2007.