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Puerto Rico Carnivals

Puerto Rico's carnivals are among the island's oldest and most colorful celebrations. Rooted in Spanish colonial traditions and enriched by African and Taíno influences, these festivals are known for elaborate costumes, vibrant parades, live music, dancing, artisan crafts, and the iconic vejigante masks that have become symbols of Puerto Rican culture.

While many carnivals take place in the weeks leading up to Lent, others are held throughout the year as cultural celebrations that showcase each community's unique history and traditions. Visitors can experience everything from historic masquerade parades and bomba performances to local food vendors, carnival rides, and family-friendly activities.

Whether you're looking for Puerto Rico's largest carnival in Ponce or smaller community celebrations across the island, attending a carnival is one of the best ways to experience Puerto Rican culture firsthand.

Displaying 18 results.

February

  1. Carnaval del Capitan Correa
    Arecibo, North Region
    It's held in the Arecibo central plaza, where salsa groups and other groups mingle.
    (787) 879-1625
  2. Carnaval de Arroyo
    Arroyo, South Region
    Historic coastal carnival celebrated with music, parades, colorful costumes, food kiosks, and family entertainment leading up to Lent.
  3. Carnaval de Arroyo
    Arroyo, South Region
    Arroyo celebrates this Carnival with many daytime and evening activities. The festivities include: dances, food, parades and processions, and presentations honoring outstanding community members.
    (787) 839-9060
  4. Carnaval Camuyano
    Camuy, North Region
  5. Carnaval de Carolina
    Carolina, Metro Region
    Family-friendly carnival offering concerts, colorful parades, artisan markets, amusement rides, and cultural performances celebrating the carnival season.
  6. Carnaval de Cataño
    Catano, Metro Region
    Community carnival featuring waterfront celebrations, live music, artisan vendors, traditional Puerto Rican food, and festive parades.
  7. Carnaval del Plata
    Comerio, East Region
    Traditional mountain carnival with music, dancing, colorful costumes, artisan markets, local cuisine, and family-oriented festivities.
  8. Carnaval de Maunabo
    Maunabo, East Region
    Annual carnival featuring festive parades, vejigante characters, live concerts, artisan vendors, carnival attractions, and Puerto Rican cultural traditions.
  9. Carnaval Ponceno
    Ponce, South Region
    Puerto Rico's largest and most famous carnival featuring colorful vejigante masks, elaborate parades, live music, dancing, artisan vendors, and centuries-old traditions celebrated before Lent.
    It is believed that this carnival is one of the oldest celebrations in the western hemisphere, dating back to 1858.

    Most of the events occur in the historic downtown of Ponce, at the Plaza Las Delicias and the Casa Alcaldia. Parades takes place every day, featuring musical events, artisans and the famous parades of Vejigantes. The Vejigantes are the stars of the Carnival, originating in centuries-old African, Caribbean, and Spanish customs and traditions. These local folk characters representing good and evil spirits and they wear colorful papier-mache mask and costumes.
    (787) 840-4141
  10. Carnaval Abey
    Salinas, South Region
  11. Carnaval de San Juan
    San Juan, Metro Region
    Historic capital city carnival featuring music, dance, colorful costumes, cultural activities, and community celebrations before Lent.
  12. Carnaval Vegalteño
    Vega Alta, North Region
    Annual carnival featuring colorful parades, live music, food kiosks, artisan crafts, carnival rides, and community celebrations before Lent.

April

  1. Carnaval Brujo
    Guayama, South Region
    The region around Guayama still honors African legends of sorcery and witchcraft. The Brujo Carnival retells these old stories "brujo" means warlock or spell, and incorporates them into a weekend-long festival.
    (787) 864-0600

May

  1. Carnaval Mabó
    Guayanilla, South Region
    Community carnival featuring parades, live entertainment, artisan vendors, carnival rides, traditional foods, and family-friendly activities celebrating local culture.
  2. Carnaval de Patillas
    Patillas, South Region
    The festivities include dances, food, and parades.
    (787) 839-4120

July

  1. Carnaval de Vejigantes
    Loiza, Metro Region
    One of Puerto Rico's most iconic cultural festivals celebrating Afro-Puerto Rican heritage with traditional vejigante masks, bomba music, colorful costumes, and lively street parades.

December

  1. Carnaval de Hatillo
    Hatillo, North Region
    Famous for the Festival de las Máscaras, commemorating the Day of the Holy Innocents with costumed riders, elaborate masks, parades, music, and unique local traditions.
  2. Festival Nacional de las Máscaras
    Hatillo, North Region
    Traditional festival showcasing Puerto Rico's famous handcrafted masks, cultural exhibitions, artisan markets, live music, and the island's unique masquerade traditions.

Experience Carnivals Like a Local

  • Visit early in the day for the freshest produce.
  • Bring cash—many vendors are small family businesses.
  • Sample foods you've never heard of.
  • Don't leave without buying local coffee.

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Did You Know?

Dr. Dolores Piñero, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was the first Puerto Rican woman doctor to serve in the Army under contract.