Mazatlan is a party on the Pacific and nothing says “let’s party like the 126thCarnaval celebration.” Get ready – polish your tiaras, fluff up your boas, shake out your wigs, dust off your beads, buy a baroque-type mask – because everyone wants to join this annual six-day festival.
This year’s theme is Eclipse Barroco. It’s a combination of celebrating the total eclipse of the sun on April 8, and honouring the baroque era, 1600 to around 1750, which was lush and lavish. This allows Cultura to “go all out” with wigs, costumes, and extravagant decorations. Cultura confirmed in December there will be 32 floats, just imagine the decorations and the creativity! Just imagine the music: Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart mixed with a little banda here and there.
There will be several entrances to the fiesta from Olas Altas – free or a small fee to be confirmed -but count on long line-ups with his and her security gates. If you are not fond of crowds and have an aversion to being swept along by high spirited party-goers then Olas Altas is not for you. It’s all well-meaning, but people do push you along and for some that’s not a welcome feeling. Travel light – no purse, no wallet, carry only the bare minimum ID and a few pesos for drinks and food
Ten young women who are wanting to be the queen of Carnaval for 2024 will be busy gathering votes and money from friends.The campaigning is taken very seriously. For women entering the contest who wish to be queen, the rules are: born in Mazatlan or lived in Mazatlan for three years, can’t be a mother, nor pregnant, nor married and you must be between the ages of 17 – 25 on the day of the election
For six nights, 6 pm. until around 2 pm. the All -Access Street party takes place – from Centro’s Zaragoza to the Freeman Hotel/Best Western [Paseo Claussen and Olas Altas] it’s one long stream of people; the beer is flowing, the grills are smokin’ hot, and massive stages for bands are dotted on this fiesta route.
Stay on this page for confirmation of ticket sales [where and when], music headliners and all the free entertainment. The calendar below is a guideline only and is subject to change.
Friday January 19: Computo Final, the final tally of votes for kings and queens, Plazuela Republica, 6 pm. This usually very festive with lots of music and dancing.
Saturday January 20: Ten young women quiver in their stilettos and are ready to answer serious questions from the judges. The votes are in and the winners for – La Reina del Carnaval, and La Reina de los Juegos Florales, are announced. 7 pm, Angela Peralta Theatre, free [usually the candidates offer tickets to their patrons.]
Friday February 2: Presentación Premio Mazatlan de Literatura, the all-important literature prize of the year is awarded, all in Spanish. Casa Haas, 7 pm.
Saturday February 3: Velada de las Artes, an evening of art, music, celebrating the upcoming Carnaval. Always a special evening full of surprises. 8 pm. Angela Peralta Theatre, price to be confirmed.
Thursday February 8: Cornación Rey de la Alegria Carnaval, Estadio Teodoro Mariscal, baseball stadium. Headliner act to be confirmed.7:30 pm.
Friday February 9 Coronation pageant for Queen of the flower games/Coronación Reina de los Juegos Florales. Estadio Teodoro Mariscal/ Baseball Stadium 8:30 pm. Headliners – to be confirmed.
Saturday February 10; Coronation pageant for the Queen of Carnaval/Coronación Reina del Carnaval. Estadio Teodoro Mariscal/ Baseball Stadium, Headliner to be confirmed. 6:30 pm.
Saturday February 10 :Burning of the Bad Humour/Quema del mal humor; In past years it has been “El Quimico” Benitez Torres [ex mayor of Mazatlan] and the Coronavirus – so who knows for 2024? The smallish parade begins at 8:30 p.m. on Zaragoza and Aquiles Serdan [tbc]and ends with “the burning” on Avenida del Mar, 9:00 pm. Free.
Saturday February 10: Combate Naval/ Naval battle fought on the water (and the shore) with fireworks that will be launched on Olas Altas at around 11 pm. It’s never too early to start thinking about reserving your viewing spot with friends, hotels, etc. These choreographed fireworks to music are not to be missed. Free.
Sunday February 11 First Carnaval Parade/Primer Desfile de Carnaval, starts around 5:30 p.m. and again may begin at the Parque Ciudades Hermanas [Zaragoza and the Malecon] then along to Fisherman’s Monument/Monumento al Pescador and goes north to Valentino’s on Rafael Buelna. Themed floats and loads of live music. Unlike any other parade you have ever seen – party like a Mazatleco! Free. The route with approximate times: 5:30, Av. Rotarismo; 6, Hotel de Cima; 7, Lola Beltrán; 7:30 Hotel de Sol; 7:45 Tourism; 8, El Toro Bravo; 8:30 Valentino’s.
Monday February 12: Children’s Costume Ball/Baile Infantil, Salón Spectaculare, 10:00 am., on Av. Camaron Sabalo in front of the Hotel Quijote Inn.
Monday February 12: Coronation of the Child Queen of Carnaval/Coronación Infantil: Baseball Stadium, Estadio Teodoro Mariscal. Headliner, to be confirmed. 6:30. pm.
Monday February 12: Lunes Espectacular, [a surprise!], Olas Altas, 10 pm.
Tuesday February 13:Second Carnaval Parade/Segundo Desfile de Carnaval, 4:00 pm. from the Aquarium south along the Malecon to Miguel Aleman. It’s a mini version of the Sunday parade, but still has many of the fabulous floats. The route and the approximate times: 4:30, Av. de los Deportes; 5, Lola Beltrán; 5:45, Hotel de Cima; 6, Hotel Plaza Marina; 7:15, Av. Zaragoza; and then along around 7:35 Olas Altas. The parade is followed with lots of live music that usually starts at 10 p.m. on Paseo Claussen.