Ponce Carnival or Carnaval Ponceño
My best guess for Dates for 2027 Carnaval will be Feb 4 to 9. The 2027 Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa, will probably be Jan 29-31. I will post when dates are confirmed.
The Ponce Carnival (Carnaval de Ponce or Carnaval Ponceño, in Spanish) is an annual week-long celebration. There are parades with wildly decorated floats, crazy costumed people, lots of music, loads of spectators, and merriment.
Similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it is derived from the old world tradition of a final celebration before the beginning of Lent. But over time, it has transformed into a week-long party!
If you want to party Puerto Rican style, mark your calendars — The 168th Ponce Carnival will be Feb 12- February 17, 2026!. But don’t miss out on the “pre-Game” carnaval- the Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce. This event happens the weekend before (so Feb 6- Feb 8, 2026).
Schedule for the Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce
This “pre-game” carnaval happens the weekend before Carnaval. It is held down toward the Ponce Beach community area- at the Parque Lucy Grillasca. This will introduce you to town Royalty, King Momo, and all the Vejigantes! Parades on each evening and Sunday afternoon, with live music every night. The events are the same, on the same days, just times and music may change: Friday: Arrival of King Momo and floats, Saturday: Parade of Royalty and King Momo, Sunday: Grand Carnival Parade and Burial of the Sardine. This year’s schedule for this event: is on this Facebook page.
The Biggest and Best Carnaval
The Ponce Carnival is full of loud and colorful parades, with marching bands, with dancers and floats. The parades are similar to those held around the island throughout the year at other town festivals or Carnivals — but on steroids!
Central to the festivities in Ponce are the vejigantes — masked, colorfully-dressed, clown-like characters, wearing paper mâché masks with scary teeth & horns — dancing and strutting to bomba and plena music. They may swat bystanders with soft balloons (supposedly to chase away the evil spirits) as they go by.
There is a Usual series of events with the Ponce Carnaval. Times may vary, musical groups vary, but the events happen on the same days every year.
Thursday is the Gran Baile de Mascaras, then live music.
Friday is Desfile de Entrada del Rey Momo, then music.
Saturday is the Noche de Coronaciones de Reinas and the desfile de Reinas, then music.
Sunday around 1-2 will be the start of the Desfile de Carnaval, then music.
Monday Cultural night- Dancing and music,
Tuesday is the Desfile del Entierro de la Sardina and the descubre al Rey Momo, then music.
A mystery “King Momo” is there, who is usually a town celebrity or well known person , the town Princesses and Queens are introduced and crowned, a Dance night, The big Parade and lastly, the Funeral of the Sardine. Plus, expect lots of music. There will be lots of plena music, with the many interactive, chanting songs. Before and after the parades, there will be other types of live music at stages throughout the evenings.
Schedule Ponce Carnaval 2026
Schedule source: Cultura, Deportes, y Mas Facebook page.
Schedule can be found at Visit Ponce’s Facebook page or this Facebook page.
You can get more information by calling the Ponce Tourism/Cultural Office: 787- 284-4141 ext. 2355.
Assume that the schedule is subject to change with little or no warning.
Puerto Rico Day Trips LLC assumes no responsibility regarding your safety when participating in the activities described in this article. Please use common sense! If your mother or that little voice in your head tells you that you are about to do something stupid âĻ then don't do it!
