Cozumel Opens Applications for 2027 Carnival Kings and Queens

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cozumel’s city government has opened applications for the kings and queens who will represent the island at its 2027 Carnival, kicking off the selection process for one of the region’s longest-running celebrations.

Candidates have until Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to hand in their documents and join the selection process. Registration is in person at the offices of the General Events Department (Dirección de Eventos Generales) in Cozumel’s Municipal Palace, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Who Can Apply

The call covers categories for a range of ages, along with one reserved for people with disabilities:

• Carnival Queen: women aged 18 to 35
• Carnival King: men aged 21 to 50
• Junior Queens: girls aged 13 to 17, and Junior Kings: boys aged 13 to 20
• Children’s Kings and Queens: boys and girls aged 7 to 12
• Diversity Kings: participants aged 21 to 50
• DIF Kings and Queens: people with disabilities, selected through a special process coordinated with the Cozumel DIF system

Applicants under 18 must have the authorization and accompaniment of a parent or legal guardian.

Registration and Requirements

Applicants must submit a file in triplicate containing the required paperwork. The documents include the official registration form, a copy of the birth certificate and CURP identity number, and proof of at least five years of effective residency in Cozumel.

Candidates must also present a valid official ID, a proof of address no older than three months, and a recent medical certificate no more than two months old.

The file also requires a handwritten personal letter of motivation of roughly one page, a recommendation letter and endorsement from a former Carnival king or queen of Cozumel, and a carnival résumé accompanied by photographs or audiovisual links. Applicants must additionally submit a carnival project setting out their artistic proposal.

What the Carnival Project Must Include

The proposal is one of the elements that will show what each candidate plans for the festivities. It should state the name and theme, justify the proposal, and detail the artistic concept, costumes, choreography and the approximate number of members the comparsa, or carnival troupe, would have.

Organizers advised those interested to allow enough time to prepare both the documents and the artistic proposal before delivering their file.

Municipal Employees Barred From Running

The call states that anyone currently serving as a public employee of the Cozumel municipal government cannot run as a candidate in any category. The restriction forms part of the rules set out in the selection process.

153 Years of Tradition

The selection is part of preparations for Carnaval Cozumel 2027, a celebration with a long tradition on the island that draws participants of different ages every year. Officials said the categories for children, teenagers and adults aim to sustain that participation while adding a dedicated space for people with disabilities.