Carnaval in Merida

NOTE: CARNAVAL DATES FOR 2014 ARE FEB. 26-MAR. 5. BELOW IS THE INFO FOR 2013 AND A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR 2014:

From February 6-13, 2013, "Mérida Mística" Carnaval arrives to our city: one of the best carnavals of the world, where families and friends can enjoy an event full of magic, mysticism, color, and fun.

The Carnaval celebrations will begin with the traditional pre-school parade, with a procession of floats full of children, representing the mystical beings we know from childhood; with their colorful costumes and enthusiasm they will set aside the bad humor and fill our Carnaval with light and color.

For 8 days the city will be dressed up for a colorful party where floats, allegorical carts, and regional and national brands will participate; and after each parade the dances begin, featuring nationally and internationally known artists; more than 20 high-quality bands will be playing until dawn on the stages installed at various points along the route.

The night of the Regional Parade is another big party, when the Mérida Carnaval puts on the most beautiful dresses of the mestizas, dances the jarana to the tune of Yucatecan music; this festivity is shared with the allegorical carts and horse-drawn carriages who are in charge of carrying the beautiful ladies of our society.

With the ceremony of the Burial of Juan Carnaval, the festivities of our Carnaval officially come to a close; his widow cries and reads his tongue-in-cheek will which he leaves for the citizens and authorities of Mérida: one of the most enjoyable and well-attended events of Carnaval.

Dancing in the streets will be quite appropriate! Let your hair down! Enjoy!

Click here to read a blog about Progreso Carnaval 2013, written by Kelly, a Canadian mom spending some time in Progreso with her 2 kids.

BOX SEAT TICKET SALES: Calle 66 No. 501 x 61 y 63, Centro, with the following schedule:  Mon-Fri.  9 am - 6 pm, 
Sat. 9 am - 4 pm, Sun. 9 am - 2 pm.
 For more info: Tel: 923-1195. Contact: palcoscarnavalmerida2013@hotmail.com Or visit this link: http://www.merida.gob.mx/municipio/sitiosphp/carnaval/palcos.php

TURIBUS IN THE PARADES: You can ride on the top of the double-decker Turibus! You can buy tickets through Thursday, Feb. 7, at their office on Calle 59 x 50 y 52, facing Mejorada park, from 8 am to 3 pm, with Sr. Armando García, phone 928 1966 ext. 81521. After that you need to go to the loading area which is just up the street (on Av. Deportista) from where the parades begin at Monumento a la Bandera, at least an hour in advance. Boarding time is one hour prior to the parade start time. Turibus participates from Friday to Tuesday parades. Cost is 120 pesos for adults, 60 pesos for kids under 12, and includes candies to throw, soft drinks, and water.  Seating is on the upper level only.

Tentative Carnaval schedule for 2014:

Wednesday February 26 
BURNING OF THE BAD HUMOR
Outside the Palacio Municipal, Calle 62 x 63
8 pm

Thursday February 27
PRE-SCHOOL PARADE
From Palacio Municipal (Calle 62 x 63) to Parque Santa Lucía (Calle 60 x 55)
4 pm

Friday February 28
CORSO PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo to Parque de San Juan (Calle 62 x 71)
7 pm

Saturday March 1
FANTASY PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo to Parque de San Juan (Calle 62 x 71)
7 pm

Sunday March 2
BACHATA PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo to Parque de San Juan (Calle 62 x 71)
12 pm

Monday March 3
REGIONAL PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo to Parque de San Juan (Calle 62 x 71)
7 pm

Tuesday March 4
PARADE OF THE BATTLE OF THE FLOWERS
From Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo to Parque de San Juan (Calle 62 x 71)
12 pm

Wednesday March 5
BURIAL OF JUAN CARNAVAL
Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 63
7 pm

Names of the kings and queens:

• Main
  Srta. María Elena Barquin Aguilar  “Malena I” and Sr. Pierre David Sansores Pech “Pierre David I”

• Children
  Emma Soledad Puerto Arteaga “Emmy I” and Rolf Bauerle Capetillo “Rolf I”

• Seniors
  Sra. María Teresa Manzanero Navarrete “Tere I” and Sr. Víctor José Canche Corona “Tito I”

• Intellectual handicap
  Yenny Guadalupe Concha Galmich “Yenny I” and Irving Gilberto Cambranis Villanueva “Irving I”

• Mobility handicap
  Srta. Maritere Braga Mena “Maritere I” and Jesus Manuel Couoh Xool  “Chucho I”

carnaval@merida.gob.mx

www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval