The island's spectacular annual Mardis Gras has some 140 years of history and is held around February every year, although the exact dates vary.
The dates for Cozumel Carnival 2020 won't be officially confirmed until December or January, but next year Fat Tuesday will be on February 25 so, we expect the biggest celebrations and parades to be on the nights of Saturday, February 22; Sunday, February 23 and Fat Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
Carnival King and Queen.
'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.
In 2019 the main parades were on Saturday, March 2; Sunday, March 3 and Fat Tuesday, March 5, 2019, see the full program below.
Cozumel Carnival 2019 Program
This was the official, confirmed program for Cozumel Carnival 2019.
Pre-Carnival Events |
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Sat, Feb 2 |
Welcome and Introduction of King and Queen candidates with dancing and performances. Live performance by Christian Castro. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 3 |
First public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume. Live performance by La Banda Cuzamil. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Fri, Feb 8 |
Masked Ball with prizes for best costume for individuals, pairs and groups. Live performance by Jair y Son Latinos. 6pm til late, Sr Frogs *TICKET* |
Sat, Feb 9 |
Presentation of the King and Queen candidates with costumes and dancing. Live performance by Not Yet Confirmed. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 10 |
Second public presentation of the King and Queen candidates in costume. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Sat, Feb 15 |
Ladies' Show 5pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sat, Feb 16 |
Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival King and Queen. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 17 |
Announcement of winners and grand public presentation of elected Carnival King and Queen. Live music by Not Yet Confirmed. 7pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Fri, Feb 22 |
Dancing and Voting for Diversity King and Queen. Live music by Lluvia de Estrellas. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sat, Feb 23 |
Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Youth King and Queen. Live music by Not Yet Confirmed. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Feb 24 |
Big Color 5k Race. 3pm, City Hall Park *FREE* |
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Dancing and Voting for Cozumel Carnival Children's King and Queen. 6pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
| Tue, Feb 26 | Pets' Costume Competition. 6pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Carnival Events |
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Wed, Feb 27 |
Grand Opening and Coronation of Carnival Kings and Queens. Live music by Not Yet Confirmed. 8pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Thu, Feb 28 |
Dancing Competitions - Infant, Kinder and Elementary School Categories. Presentation of the Special King and Queen. 6pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Fri, Mar 1 |
Costume Competitions - Infant, Kinder and Elementary School Categories. 10am, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
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Dancing Competitions - All ages and First Ball. Live music from Not Yet Confirmed. 9pm, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sat, Mar 2 |
First Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Costume Contest and Masked Ball. Live music from Manuel Turizo. 9pm til late, Moby Dick Hall *TICKET* |
Sun, Mar 3 |
Second Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Public Concert. Live music from Junior Klan. 9pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Mon, Mar 4 |
Competitions and Tropical Ball. Live music from Canaveral. 9pm til late, City Hall Park *FREE* |
Tue, Mar 5 |
FAT TUESDAY - Final Grand Carnival Parade. 6pm, Oceanfront Downtown *FREE* |
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Public Grand Finale Concert. Live music from 90s Pop Tour. 10pm, City Hall Park - Parque Quintana Roo *FREE* |
Wed, Feb 14 |
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
5 Corking Cozumel Carnival Close-Ups5 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.
