Carnaval ( “Carnival” in Spanish) is celebrated each spring in different destinations throughout Mexico. It is celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday (“Ash Wednesday” ), which marks the beginning of Lent, the period of sobriety before Easter. The dates of the celebrations can vary a bit from one destination to another, but they always take place before Ash Wednesday. Carnival festivities peak the day before, known as Mardi Gras , “Fat Tuesday” or “Shrove Tuesday .” Carnival dates vary from year to year, generally falling in February, but occasionally in March.
The date is determined by the date of Easter, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox (also known as spring). Count six weeks before Easter to find the date of Ash Wednesday, and the carnival is celebrated during the week before. As all of that is quite complicated, we have published the dates below to facilitate your reference.
These are the Carnival dates for the next few years:
- 2019 – February 27 to March 5
- 2020 – from February 19 to 25
- 2021 – February 10-16
- 2022 – February 23 to March 1
Find out when Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated in Mexico.
More about Carnival:
- Mexican carnival celebrations
- Where to celebrate carnival in Mexico
