Skip Navigation

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.

January

  1. Carnaval Capitán Correa - Arecibo
    North Region
    One of Puerto Rico's oldest and most colorful carnivals, honoring Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa. The celebration features colorful parades, vejigantes, live music, dance performances, artisan vendors, food kiosks, and family activities throughout downtown Arecibo.
    (787) 680-7368

February

  1. Carnaval Mabo - Guaynabo
    Metro Region
    One of Guaynabo's signature annual celebrations featuring colorful parades, costumes, live music, artisan vendors, carnival rides, and family-friendly activities.
  2. Carnaval de San Juan - San Juan
    Metro Region
    Historic capital city carnival featuring music, dance, colorful costumes, cultural activities, and community celebrations before Lent.
  3. Carnaval Camuyano - Camuy
    North Region
    Annual pre-Lenten carnival with colorful parades, carnival queens, vejigantes, live music, kiosks, amusement rides, and family entertainment in downtown Camuy.
    (787) 898-2160
  4. Carnaval Vegalteño - Vega Alta
    North Region
    Annual carnival featuring colorful parades, live music, food kiosks, artisan crafts, carnival rides, and community celebrations before Lent.
  5. Carnaval de Maunabo - Maunabo
    East Region
    Annual carnival featuring colorful parades, vejigante characters, live music, artisan vendors, carnival attractions, traditional food, and community celebrations highlighting Maunabo's cultural traditions.
    (787) 861-0825
  6. Carnaval del Plata - Comerio
    Central Region
    Traditional mountain carnival featuring colorful parades, live music, dancing, artisan vendors, local cuisine, and family-friendly entertainment.
  7. Carnaval Arroyano - Arroyo
    South Region
    One of Puerto Rico's oldest coastal carnivals, featuring colorful parades, vejigantes, live music, dance performances, food kiosks, artisan vendors, and family entertainment leading up to Lent.
    (787) 839-9060
  8. Carnaval Ponceno - Ponce
    South Region
    Puerto Rico's largest and most famous carnival featuring colorful vejigante masks, elaborate parades, live music, dancing, artisan vendors, traditional cuisine, and centuries-old cultural traditions dating back to 1858. Celebrations center around Plaza Las Delicias and the historic downtown district.
    (787) 840-4141
  9. Carnaval Abey - Salinas
    South Region
    Annual carnival honoring Cacique Abey, the Taíno leader associated with the region. The celebration features colorful parades, traditional music, dance performances, artisan vendors, carnival attractions, and family-friendly activities.
  10. Carnaval del Guajataca - Quebradillas
    West Region
    Community carnival celebrating the Guajataca region with music, parades, cultural activities, food vendors, and family entertainment.

April

  1. Carnaval de Catano - Catano
    Metro Region
    Annual waterfront carnival featuring colorful parades, vejigantes, live music, artisan vendors, traditional Puerto Rican food, carnival rides, and family entertainment.
  2. Carnaval de Primavera - Comerio
    Central Region
    Annual spring carnival with live music, carnival rides, food kiosks, artisan vendors, parades, and activities for the entire family.
  3. Carnaval Brujo - Guayama
    South Region
    Unique annual carnival inspired by Guayama's Afro-Caribbean folklore and legends of the "Brujos," featuring colorful costumes, music, parades, traditional food, and cultural performances.

May

  1. Carnaval Flor de Mayo - Coamo
    South Region
    Community carnival celebrating spring with colorful parades, live music, traditional food, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities.
  2. Carnaval Esmeralda del Sur - Patillas
    South Region
    Annual carnival celebrating Patillas' identity as La Esmeralda del Sur with colorful parades, music, dancing, food, community activities, and family entertainment.
    (787) 839-4120

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

Related Guides



Did You Know?

The island was known as Borikén (also spelled Borinquén) before Spanish colonization.