Carnaval in Merida

Carnaval 2011 will take place March 2-9. The information below is for Carnaval 2010.

The Rhythm of Carnaval (Feb. 10-17, 2010)

Mexico is known for its fiestas and a BIG one is about to happen. Carnaval is to Mérida what Mardi Gras is to New Orleans and Río de Janeiro. The theme of this year's Carnaval is The Rhythm of Carnaval.

You will find banners on the Paseo Montejo, Calle 60, and the Plaza with Carnaval motifs. Carnaval in general is a time of fun and excesses with its parades, music and dancing, and food and beer consumption.

Mérida's Carnaval is one of the five most important in the entire Mexican republic and one of the 12 principal Carnavals in all of Latin America. From February 10th to February 17th, locals and visitors will see the local culture as they live the traditional time of Carnaval.

There will be pre-Carnaval dances in the different commissaries and neighborhoods around the city. There will be a night when the parade floats are presented, all of this leading up to Wednesday, February 10th when bad humor and moods will be symbolically burned, thus officially initiating the mystery of our happy Carnaval.

On Thursday February 11th, the Children's Parade will take place along with fireworks and the enthusiastic dancing of the kings and queens of Carnaval, thus replacing bad moods and humor with happiness and joy in the hearts of all that are present. This parade route is from Palacio Municipal to Parque Santa Lucía.

The regular parade route starts at the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo, then heads south ending up at the Parque de San Juan downtown. All along the route you will find stands selling food, beverages and games along with the local radio and TV stations presenting concerts by local, national and international guests

The parades will take place from Friday the 12th to Tuesday the 16th of February with the presence of various groups that will compete for first place as the best group. Choreography and costumes will be the key factors that the judges will be looking at.

BOX SEAT TICKET SALES: Calle 62 No. 452B and 452C at the corner of 53. Mon.-Fri. 9 am-6 pm, Sat. 9 am-4 pm & Sun. 10 am - 2 pm. No sales will take place Feb. 8, 9, or 10. Tel. 285-3276. Box seat details, map, prices, etc. Click here: http://www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval/palcos.html

Another great way to see the parades is from the unbeatable view at the elegant Rosas & Xocolate Hotel on the corner of Paseo de Montejo and Calle 41. Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7 pm, Sunday and Tuesday at 12 pm. Reservations 924 2992.

Along the entire parade route local, national and international bands will be in place playing all different kinds of music. Dancing in the streets will be quite appropriate! Let your hair down! Enjoy!

Authentic Venetian masquerade masks are available at Casa Catherwood. They have received a shipment from Si Luca in Venice, the premier purveyor of Masquerade Masks. Prices range from $35 - $450 U.S. dollars – Masks that are works of art that you can wear, or display as decorative objects. Calle 59 No. 572 x 72 y 74.

Carnaval schedule for 2010:

Sat. Jan. 30
CORONATION OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF CARNAVAL
Complejo Deportivo Inalámbrica archery camp
7:30 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 6
PRE-CARNAVAL: COMPETITION OF COSTUMES
Parque de la Colonia Alemán
6:00 p.m.

Wed. Feb. 10
BURNING OF THE BAD HUMOR
Outside the Palacio Municipal
8:00 p.m.

Thu. Feb. 11
PRE-SCHOOL PARADE
From Palacio Municipal to Parque Santa Lucía
4:00 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 12
CORSO PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
7:00 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 13
FANTASY PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
7:00 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 14
PARTY PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
12:00 p.m.

Mon. Feb. 15
REGIONAL PARADE
From Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
7:00 p.m.

Tue. Feb. 16
PARADE OF THE BATTLE OF THE FLOWERS
From Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
12:00 p.m.

Wed. Feb. 17
BURNING OF JUAN CARNAVAL
Plaza Grande
7:00 p.m.

www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval