The island's spectacular annual Mardis Gras has over 140 years of history and is held around February every year, although the exact dates vary.
In 2018, Fat Tuesday will be on February 13, and the UNCONFIRMED dates for the main week of events are Wednesday, February 7 to Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
So, the biggest celebrations and parades are expected on the nights of Saturday, February 10; Sunday, February 11 and Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
Events conclude every year on 'Fat Tuesday' with dazzling technicolor processions along Cozumel's downtown oceanfront.
Costumed revellers battle in dancing competitions and bands play live music around the city.
Carnival King and Queen.
People line the street, dancing with the performers and catching gifts that are showered on them.
After the cceanfront extravaganza, the music keeps playing and parties continue well into the night.
Then on Wednesday, February 14 we can expect the closing ceremony and traditional burning of Juan Carnaval.
In 2017, pre-Carnival events ran from January 28 to February 19, and the real Carnival started on February 22, in 2017.
Cozumel Carnival 2017 Program
(The 2018 program will be published here as soon as it is available, which is expected to be in January 2018.)
Pre-Carnival Events |
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Sat, Jan 28 |
Welcome and Introduction of King and Queen candidates with dancing and performances. Live performance by TropiCuba Show. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Jan 29 |
First public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Sat, Feb 4 |
Presentation of the King and Queen candidates with costumes and dancing. Live performance by La Sonora Dinamita. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 5 |
Second public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Fri, Feb 10 |
Ladies Night. 5pm, Convention Center *TICKET - LADIES ONLY* |
Sat, Feb 11 |
Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival King and Queen. Live music by Angelito de la Salsa y su Piquete. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 12 |
Announcement of winners and grand public presentation of elected Carnival King and Queen. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Fri, Feb 17 |
Masquerade Ball. 6pm, Sr. Frogs |
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LGTB Diversity Night including star from RuPail's Drag Race Gia Gunn. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sat, Feb 18 |
Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Youth King and Queen. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 19 |
Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Children's King and Queen. Live music from Lion King, The Musical. 6pm, Moby Dick Hall |
Carnival Events |
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Wed, Feb 22 |
Grand Opening and Coronation of Carnival Kings and Queens. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Thu, Feb 23 |
Dancing Competitions - Infant, Kinder and Elementary School Categories. Special Needs King and Queen Contest. 6pm, Moby Dick Hall |
Fri, Feb 24 |
Costume Competitions - Infant, Kinder, Elementary School and Pet Categories. 10am, Moby Dick Hall |
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Dancing Competitions - All ages and First Ball. Live music from Alex Abreu and Habana D'Primera. 9pm, Moby Dick Hall |
Sat, Feb 25 |
First Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Costume Contest and Second Ball. Live music from Celso Piña. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 26 |
Second Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Public Concert. Live music from Santa Cecilia. 8pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Mon, Feb 27 |
Competitions and Third Ball. Live music from Juan Formell Orchestra and Los Van Van De Cuba. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Tue, Feb 28 |
FAT TUESDAY - Final Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Public Grand Finale Concert. Live music from Grupo Cañaveral. 10pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Wed, Mar 1 |
Awards Ceremony and Traditional Burning of Juan Carnaval 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
*FREE* - Free event open to public. *TICKET* - ticketed event requires advance purchase of tickets from booth at City Hall. Events may be subject to change without notice.
More Cozumel Carnival News and Photos
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.
