Mérida, Mexico — Under the theme "Circo Carnaval Mérida 2026," the city is preparing for a playful, safe, and inclusive party that promises fun for everyone. Municipal President Cecilia Patrón Laviada presented the details of the event, which will take place from February 11 to 18 at the fairgrounds in Xmatkuil.
"We are close to celebrating the Carnaval of Mérida 2026, the city's biggest party, the people's party, with a vision that goes hand in hand with our Mérida Development Plan with which we are building a community with social justice, hand in hand with its inhabitants," she stated.
Increased Capacity and Attractions
The venue will be transformed into a grand tent of fantasy and fun. This year, the event will increase its capacity to receive approximately 4,000 more attendees per day than in 2025, reaching a total of 40,000 people daily. With this, an influx of up to 400,000 visitors is anticipated throughout the entire celebration.
Cecilia Patrón highlighted that the circus arts will be a source of joy and tradition, with innovations in recreation zones and activities for all ages.
Four Tents of Experiences
The Executive Secretary of the Permanent Carnival Committee, Mariana Villamil Rodríguez, announced that there will be four circus tents in "Ciudad Carnaval." In "The World of the Circus," the public will enjoy surprising acts and classic characters, without animal maltreatment.
Furthermore, the "Circus Music Festival" will fuse electronic music with regional DJs, acrobatics, and an impressive light show.
Another new feature will be the "Circus Adventure" tent, an interactive museum to experience trapezes, hoops, rollers, and aerial silks. In "The Costume Tent," adults and children will be able to dress up and take souvenir photos of the 2026 Carnaval.
Heritage and Art in Ciudad Carnaval
In collaboration with the Pedro Guerra Photographic Archive of the UADY, a photographic exhibition of the Mérida Carnaval with images from over 100 years ago will be presented. There will also be silent film screenings, recalling its connection with the popular spirit of the carnival.
Sustainability and Accessibility
The event will maintain its commitment to animal welfare and the environment. There will be a pet-friendly zone and a drone show will replace fireworks to avoid impacts on the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve.
Likewise, special areas for women, people with disabilities, and older adults will be maintained, with free transportation routes from various points in the city. Access to the venue, events, and parking will be free.
Queens and Kings of Carnaval 2026
During the presentation, the 2026 sovereigns were announced, headed by Sara Margeny Barredo Uc and Javier Emmanuel Barrera Castro.
In the youth category, Hanna Fernanda Arana Herrera and Yahir Jesús Pacheco Baeza were elected as queen and king. In the children's category, Valentina Isabela May Fernández and Noah Jaziel Bacab Cáceres will be the king and queen.
For their part, Saidy del Socorro Jiménez Villanueva and José Luis Góngora Domínguez will represent older persons. Ariadne Denisse Campos Bonilla and Josué Francisco Mena Pantoja, sovereigns with Motor Disabilities, were also presented.
This year, for the first time, the Carnaval will have a Neurodivergent (Autistic) Queen, Kiara Romero Franks, and with José Isael González Escárcega, King with an Intellectual Disability, who symbolize the inclusive and joyful spirit of the Mérida Carnaval 2026.
More details of this great party for all the people of Mérida will be announced soon.
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