Montevideo carnival is the world’s longest carnival starting January thru early March. We’ve got the links you need in English about where to go and what to see.
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. Here are Montevideo carnival 2023 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 2023 dates
The Inaugural Carnival Parade (Desfile inaugural)
Thursday 19 January eve
Rambla Wilson, Parque Rodó (from Avenida Dr. Juan A. Cachón to the Teatro de Verano)
Samba Schools Parade (Desfile de escuelas de samba)
Date TBC
Rambla Wilson, Parque Rodó
Las Llamadas, the Llamadas Parade
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 February
Raincheck dates: one week later.
Traditional route: Carlos Gardel/Isla de Flores streets, Barrio Sur and Palermo
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: DAECPU
Cover photo: Jimmy Baikovicius
Related articles
Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
...
6 reasons not to miss carnival in Montevideo
Virtually unknown to people outside of Uruguay, carnival in the capital Montevideo is one of the most authentic in the world. Start planning now for 2022.
...
Carnival in Uruguay – what is murga?
Murga is an instantly recognisable musical style associated with carnival. It’s a uniquely Uruguayan phenomenon, with very distant roots in Cadiz, Spain.
...
Montevideo #1 in new travel show
The host of this brand new travel show fell in love with Montevideo. The wine, soccer, carnival, food… so many things to do.
...What’s worth checking out in Carnival
Carnival starts late January till early March. Yes, it’s the world’s longest carnival. The parades and shows you must not miss, where to buy tickets, etc.
...
Carnival in Uruguay 2019: Montevideo attractions and dates
Montevideo has the world’s longest carnival starting January thru early March. We’ve got the links you need in English about where to go and what to see.
...
Experience candombe drummers in the street
To check out authentic candombe in Uruguay, you’ll want to go to a street rehearsal. Where to go, how it works and what to do and what not to do.
...
Buying tickets for concerts and carnival
You can buy tickets for concerts and carnival shows in Montevideo at box offices and Abitab and Red Pagos/RED UTS – the stores are found all over Uruguay.
...
Perfect timing! I’ll be arriving in January for 7s rugby in Punta Del Este, then starting the rugby 15s season in Montevideo in February con Alejandro y Old Christians Club!
Fantastic! Welcome back!
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