Mérida is preparing to host one of the most memorable editions of one of its most traditional celebrations. In 2026, the circus comes to our city’s Carnival (locally, Carnaval), transforming the city into a massive stage where fantasy and art engage in a dialogue with the present. This is the essence of “Circo Carnaval Mérida 2026,” a proposal that reinterprets this popular festival through a contemporary and profoundly Yucatecan lens in Southeast México.
From February 11 to 18, the city streets and Ciudad Carnaval (located at the Xmatkuil fairgrounds) will be transformed into a vast open-air big top. The event is designed to offer a comprehensive experience for local families as well as national and international visitors. Organized by the Mérida City Hall (Ayuntamiento), led by Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada, the Carnival reaffirms its vocation as a family-friendly, safe, inclusive, and free celebration, standing as one of the great cultural benchmarks of Yucatán.
The four tents: A high-level curated experience
The 2026 edition stands out for its high-level entertainment and curated experiences. Four circus tents structure the concept:
- The Circus Music Festival: Merges circus aesthetics with the energy of electronic music, creating vibrant nights designed for those seeking rhythm, sound design, and contemporary atmospheres.
- The World of the Circus: Pays tribute to the classic show, featuring acrobats, tightrope walkers, contortionists, and iconic characters that evoke both nostalgia and wonder.
- Circus Adventure: Designed for families, this interactive museum allows children to become the protagonists of play and learning.
- The Costume Tent: Invites visitors to capture the perfect Carnival memory through self-expression and creativity.
Culture and heritage: From the Pedro Guerra Photo Library to live performances
The journey expands with a historic photographic exhibition, created in collaboration with the Fototeca Pedro Guerra. This collection brings together images of the Carnival from over a hundred years ago, revealing the aesthetic and social evolution of this tradition in Mérida. Added to this are silent film screenings, a curated experience that connects the public with the origins of visual entertainment—where gesture, music, and emotion narrate universal stories.
The Pista Popular (People’s Ring), featuring clown performances and outdoor shows, along with an extensive artistic lineup accompanying the parades and concerts, solidifies Mérida as an unmissable festive destination within the national cultural calendar of México.
Social commitment: the canine royalty and animal welfare
One of the hallmarks of the Mérida Carnival is its social commitment. This edition once again features the Canine Kings and Queens: Almendra, Jacaranda, Vela, Myla, and Trufa. These "dog royalty" serve as ambassadors for animal welfare and are members of the “De la Calle al Corazón” (From the Street to the Heart) program—an initiative that rescues and rehabilitates dogs to integrate them into emotional support processes, generating a positive impact on the community.
Innovation and responsibility for the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve
With specialized zones for women, people with disabilities, and seniors, as well as pet-friendly spaces, free transportation, and open access to events, Mérida confirms that a celebration can also be an exercise in responsibility and urban design. Furthermore, a spectacular drone show will promote the conservation of the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve, highlighting a vision for the future.
More than just a party, the Mérida Carnival is a complete touristic and cultural experience: a meeting point where tradition is reinvented, the city shows itself to the world, and fantasy becomes a lasting memory.
Official information and links
For more details regarding the schedule and events, visit the official Mérida Carnival Committee website:
- Web: www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval
- IG: carnavalmerida
- FB: Comité Del Carnaval de Mérida
- TikTok: carnavalmerida
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 458, in February 2026.
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