Carnival in Uruguay is uniquely different to anywhere else in the world. And what’s really special for a visitor is that it is still an event primarily for the locals. After being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic (the fourth time in history) here are Montevideo carnival 2022 dates:
Carnival tablados
Carnival tablados are on across the city from late January for the next 40 nights (longer if there’s rain). Tablados are nightly shows featuring four to seven carnival groups. So you can expect to be able to attend a tablado in Montevideo until early March. Some tablado line-ups are better than others. Get The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo to learn why.
Montevideo Carnival parades
The Inaugural Carnival Parade (Desfile inaugural)
Thursday 20 January eve
New location for 2022: Rambla Wilson, Parque Rodó (from Avenida Dr. Juan A. Cachón to the Teatro de Verano)
Samba Schools Parade (Desfile de escuelas de samba)
Friday 21 January eve
New location for 2022: Rambla Wilson, Parque Rodó
Las Llamadas, the Llamadas Parade
Thursday 3 and Friday 4 February – CORRECTED
Raincheck dates: one week later.
Traditional route: Carlos Gardel/Isla de Flores streets, Barrio Sur and Palermo
LLAMADAS UPDATE Feb 3 – Due to expected rain my favourite carnival parade, the two-day Llamadas has been postponed till next week. Same days, same times.
Essential reading on Carnival in Uruguay
- What to see in Montevideo’s carnival
- Where to buy parade and tablado tickets
- 6 reasons not to miss carnival
- All about Candombe The Uruguayan carnival rhythm
- All about Murga Uruguay’s most popular carnival genre
Source for dates: Calle Febrero and El Observador
First published on October 5 and last updated at the date above
Cover photo: Jimmy Baikovicius
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What sites should I visit in Montevideo. What is the main shopping area tourist areas?
Hi, Olga. The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo has a whole chapter on “Shopping and buying original gifts” in Montevideo. You can find it in audio version on Audible too. Hope that helps!
Hi Karen.
We are arriving to Uruguay on 1st March – first to Colonia and then heading to Montevideo. Will the Carnival be over by then, or do we still have a chance? Thanks in advance, Anna
Hi Anna, I’m responding on Karen’s behalf because she’s on leave. Almost everything happens in February, but I think you’ll still have a chance to find ‘tablados’ and get a taste of murga. Cheers!
Hi there,
For a long time carnival fan but first time visitor to Uruguay which of these would you recommend? I twould be good to go to all but then we woulsd see nothing else in uruguay!
Thanks
Justyn
Hi Justyn. We suggest that you attend the Llamadas Parade then. Cheers!
Do you have info on Punta and Maldonado parades?
Hello Michael, how are you doing? The latest news I could find is on the local government website. They say: Neighbourhood processions will be cancelled and the activity will focus on one parade per municipality. The first one will be, if conditions permit, on February 12th in San Carlos and in Maldonado on February 28th. The rest are being confirmed, but tentatively the 19th will be in Piriápolis, the 26th in Pan de Azúcar and in Aiguá on the 4th of March. Hope this helps – happy carnival! — Karen