Cozumel, Quintana Roo – Cozumel officially flipped the switch on Carnaval 2026 in spectacular fashion, launching the season with a high-energy opening concert by Gloria Trevi and a glamorous Pre-Carnaval gala that brought color, tradition, and excitement back to the island’s cultural calendar.
The opening night, held at the Moby Dick Entertainment Center, marked the formal start of the carnival season with the presentation of candidates for Kings and Queens across multiple categories. Dressed in elaborate costumes bursting with feathers, sequins, and tropical flair, participants made their first official appearances before an enthusiastic crowd, signaling that Cozumel’s most anticipated celebration is officially underway.
The evening culminated with a show-stopping performance by Trevi, whose charisma and powerful stage presence set the tone for the weeks ahead. Fans sang along to classics like Pelo Suelto, El Recuento de los Daños, Con los Ojos Cerrados, and Pruébamelo, as the artist delivered a dynamic, crowd-pleasing concert that transformed the venue into a sea of lights, voices, and pure carnival energy.
A Carnival with More Than 150 Years of History
Carnival in Cozumel is far more than a party—it’s a tradition that stretches back more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest continuously celebrated carnivals in Mexico. Rooted in the weeks leading up to Lent, the festival has long blended satire, music, dance, and social commentary with pageantry and communal celebration.
Over the decades, Cozumel’s carnival has evolved from modest neighborhood festivities into a major cultural and tourism event, known for its inclusive competitions, vibrant comparsas, and nationally recognized musical acts. Despite its growth, the heart of the celebration remains deeply local, honoring community participation, creativity, and shared history.
This year’s Pre-Carnaval opening paid homage to that legacy, with official ballet performances, ceremonial appearances by the 2025 Carnival royalty, and a festive atmosphere that underscored the pride Cozumeleños take in keeping the tradition alive.
What’s Ahead: Carnaval Cozumel 2026 Event Lineup
With the opening celebrations complete, attention now turns to the main carnival events taking place in February. The 2026 program includes a mix of family-friendly shows, major concerts, parades, and cultural competitions:
- Friday, February 6: Wapayasos and Juana Guadalupe performances; voting for Kings of Diversity
- Saturday, February 7: Lasso concert; voting for Youth Kings and Queens; farewell to the 2025 royalty
- Sunday, February 8: Luli Pampín performance and presentation of Children’s Kings and Queens
- Saturday, February 14: First Grand Carnival Parade (6:00 PM); María José concert and costume contests at Moby Dick
- Sunday, February 15: Second Grand Parade; Los Socios del Ritmo and Alexander Acha; presentation of Kings and Queens
- Monday, February 16: Headline artist concert at APIQROO (to be announced January 31)
- Tuesday, February 17: Third and final Grand Parade; Margarita “La Diosa de la Cumbia” and Junior Klan
With multiple venues across the island—including Quintana Roo Park, Moby Dick, and the parade route near the Municipal Palace—Carnaval Cozumel 2026 promises weeks of music, spectacle, and island tradition.
As the opening night made clear, Cozumel isn’t just celebrating carnival this year—it’s celebrating its history, its community, and its unmistakable ability to throw a party that’s equal parts culture and joy.
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