Cozumel Carnival 2026 Dates Set, Aims for Heritage Status

COZUMEL, Mexico — The Cozumel Carnival 2026 has set its start date, with pre-carnival events kicking off on January 17, as organizers simultaneously work to secure the festival’s designation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico. The effort to obtain this recognition for the oldest carnival celebration in Quintana Roo is being led by the festival's consultative council.

Arminda Villanueva Cárdenas, a member of the Cozumel Carnival Consultative Council, explained that the first pre-carnival ball will be held on January 17, 2026. Each subsequent week will feature presentation balls for candidates vying for royal titles in all categories, leading up to the main Carnival festivities commencing in mid-February.

To facilitate this, convocations are being scheduled for release in the coming months. This will allow carnival participants on the island to prepare to meet the stated requirements and contend for a candidacy to occupy one of the carnival crowns, including that of the Maximum Kings of the celebration.

A Bid for Cultural Recognition

The process of seeking registration for the Cozumel Carnival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico is also underway. The corresponding procedures are being carried out with the goal of meeting all requirements in accordance with the timeline for this registry.

Meanwhile, organizers are evaluating the previous carnival to determine what worked and what did not. This assessment will inform the upcoming convocations to avoid past problems and, above all, ensure transparency regarding the resources offered by the municipality to candidates and all participants of this carnival festival.

Villanueva Cárdenas acknowledged that last year, being the first year of the current municipal administration, saw a variant and a drop in interest from participants. However, a greater turnout from citizens is anticipated for this upcoming carnival, with expectations for increased participation in subsequent years. She noted that the carnival is a tradition and that with an increased budget for the carnival kings, a greater number of aspirants can be expected.