Carnaval 2027
The Caribbean's biggest party is back. Four days of the Batalla de Flores, the Grand Parades, music, and folk tradition — plus the entire pre-Carnaval lineup, starting with the Guacherna. Here are the dates, the schedule, and everything new this year.
Time left
Carnaval de Barranquilla 2027 runs Saturday, February 6 – Tuesday, February 9, 2027 in Barranquilla, Colombia. That's the four days right before Ash Wednesday (February 9). Pre-Carnaval kicks off weeks earlier with the Guacherna, whose traditional estimated date is Thursday, January 28, 2027.
Dates
February 6 – 9, 2027
Where
Barranquilla · Vía 40
2027 theme
Wildlife and flora
Recognition
UNESCO Heritage
the world's second-largest carnival
UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
days of parades, dance, and music
folk groups and comparsas, the costumed parade troupes
Honoring the region's wildlife and flora.
Carnaval 2026–2027 celebrates the Caribbean's biodiversity. Carnaval S.A.S. chose the region's wildlife and flora as this year's thread, tying tradition to environmental care. It's a tribute to the animals, colors, and nature that have shaped Carnaval's dances, masks, and costumes for centuries.
The four main days.
Saturday, February 6 – Tuesday, February 9, 2027. The hour-by-hour schedule will be published closer to the date.
Batalla de Flores
Carnaval's opening parade, and its most iconic. Flower-covered floats, more than 150 folk groups, and the Queen on her throne kicking off the Caribbean's biggest party.
Gran Parada de Tradición y Folclor
The heart of Carnaval, with no floats — just traditional dances and live music. Cumbia, mapalé, Congo, Garabato, and Son de Negro. This is the day to understand where the party comes from.
Gran Parada de Comparsas y Fantasía
Creativity with no limits: comparsas in dazzling costumes of feathers, sequins, and color. At night, the Festival de Orquestas lights up the stage with the best of tropical music.
The Burial of Joselito Carnaval
Carnaval's most emotional farewell. The 'widows' mourn Joselito, through laughter, the symbol of every reveler who partied until the very end. A goodbye full of humor and the promise to return.
Pre-Carnaval 2027: the Guacherna and the key dates.
The party doesn't start on February 6 — weeks earlier, the city already lights up with pre-Carnaval. Here's the full calendar, from the Guacherna to Ash Wednesday.
The Guacherna
Estimated: Thursday, January 28, 2027
The night parade that opens pre-Carnaval: lanterns, cumbiamba (a communal cumbia dance), and tamboras, the traditional Caribbean drums, processing down Carrera 44. It was born in 1974, the brainchild of songwriter Esthercita Forero. By tradition it falls on the Friday eight days before Carnaval Saturday; the official 2027 date hasn't been announced yet.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The Guacherna (pre-Carnaval kickoff) | Thursday, January 28, 2027* | Estimated |
| Carnaval de los Niños | To be announced | To be confirmed |
| Batalla de Flores | Friday, February 5, 2027 | Confirmed |
| Gran Parada de Tradición y Folclor | Saturday, February 6, 2027 | Confirmed |
| Gran Parada de Comparsas y Fantasía | Sunday, February 7, 2027 | Confirmed |
| The Burial of Joselito Carnaval | Monday, February 8, 2027 | Confirmed |
| Ash Wednesday (end of Carnaval) | Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | Confirmed |
* The Guacherna's traditional estimated date (the Friday 8 days before Carnaval Saturday), pending official confirmation from Carnaval S.A.S.
What's new for Carnaval 2027.
We're tracking every official announcement. Here's what we know so far — and what's still to be confirmed.
- April 21, 2026Confirmed
The theme is revealed: Carnaval's wildlife and flora
Carnaval S.A.S. unveiled the 2026–2027 calendar with the Caribbean's biodiversity as this year's thread, timed to Earth Day.
- June 2026Under review
Proposal: moving the big parades to the Gran Malecón
Barranquilla's city government is weighing moving the Batalla de Flores and the two Grand Parades from Vía 40 to the Gran Malecón del Río. A technical study is underway.
- July 2026Expected
Mayor's decision on the parade venue
Mayor Alejandro Char is expected to announce in August whether the big parades move from Vía 40 to the Malecón for 2027.
- July 2026Expected
Naming of the Reina del Carnaval 2027
Following the recent pattern (the Reina 2026 was announced on August 14, 2025), the official announcement of the 2027 reigning queen is expected in August.
The characters of Carnaval.
Marimondas, Garabatos, Congos, and Toritos: centuries of African, Indigenous, and European tradition come alive in every parade.
100% Barranquilla-born
The Marimonda
The only character born right here: a long snout, elephant ears, and clothes worn inside out — a mocking jab at 19th-century high society.
Barranquilla
The Garabato
The eternal fight between life and death: dancers wield wooden machetes and red capes to celebrate joy's victory over the end.
African heritage
The Congo
Flower headdresses, wooden machetes, and warrior-like moves that honor the ancestors — one of Carnaval's oldest dances.
Caribbean tradition
The Torito
Strength and bravado turned into dance: the Torito runs through the streets in its wood-and-fabric frame, getting everyone moving.
Barranquilla
The Monocuco
The freedom to be anyone you want, unrecognized, under a colorful hooded robe. Pure Carnaval spirit.
Santa Lucía · Canal del Dique
The Son de Negro
Pure Africa on the Caribbean coast: dancers painted black, channeling an ancestral force born on the riverbanks of southern Atlántico.
Could the parades move to the Gran Malecón del Río?
Barranquilla's city government is weighing a historic change for 2027: moving the Batalla de Flores and the Grand Parades from the traditional Vía 40 to the Gran Malecón del Río. It's still under review and discussion, with no final official announcement yet.
- • The Carnaval de los Niños would move to Avenida Shakira (formerly Calle 72).
- • The Guacherna would keep its route along Carrera 44.
- • A technical study is underway, and Mayor Alejandro Char's final decision is expected by July 2026.
Decision expected: July 2026 · We'll update this section as soon as it's official.
The Queen and Rey Momo, to be confirmed.
Carnaval S.A.S.'s board names the Queen and Rey Momo every year in the second half of the year. Following the recent pattern (the Reina 2026 was announced in August 14, 2025), the 2027 announcement is expected around August — you'll see it here the moment it's confirmed.
Experience the parades from the Cumbiódromo.
The stands along Vía 40 give you the best view of the Batalla de Flores and the Grand Parades, with numbered, shaded seating. They usually sell as multi-day packages, and the best ones sell out weeks in advance.
Official 2027 stand sales haven't opened yet. Buy only through official Carnaval channels or tour operators registered with Colombia's National Tourism Registry (RNT), and be wary of anyone already offering stands in advance. 2027 prices and sales points will be announced closer to the date.
Carnaval in pictures.
Batalla de Flores
The Marimonda
Gran Parada de Tradición
Gran Parada de Fantasía
Reina del CarnavalThe Garabato
The GuachernaThe Carnaval ToritoEverything about Carnaval 2027.
Get ready for Carnaval.
Relive Carnaval 2026
The complete guide to last year's edition: day-by-day schedule, characters, stands, budgets, and the Ruta de la Tradición through Atlántico's towns.
