Carnival in Holbox
A happy and colorful spectacle full of exuberanceThe Carnival of Holbox
This article contains affiliate links. What does that mean?
This exceptional carnival parade takes place between February and early March for a total of five days. The exact date varies each year and is set a few months in advance. The carnival has become a real attraction, drawing many visitors from the surrounding towns and villages.
Holbox Carnival 2025 will take place from February 28 to March 4, 2025. This date has now been confirmed by the mayor’s office. The exact program is always a bit different and usually quite spontaneous. In any case, we are very excited to see what attractions the “Carnaval de Holbox 2025” has to offer this year and are already looking forward to the event.
For a first glimpse of how the spectacle unfolds in detail, read our in-depth article, “At the Extraordinary Carnival of Holbox“.
There are other carnival parades in Yucatán that are highly recommended during this time. The much larger carnival of Mérida 2025, which lasts 12 days, or the smaller but equally colorful carnival in Cozumel, which lasts 4 days.
Preparation and Schedule of the Event
The parade is prepared and organized by the locals on Holbox themselves. Women of all ages dress up for it in groups in colorful costumes in the style of salsa dancers, Mayans, Aztecs or other motives. The new costumes created for each carnival are sewn throughout the year and must be paid for by the women themselves, which is a very large amount of money for the Mexican women living here.
The music comes mainly from the men, who organize themselves into small bands and follow the individual dance groups through the streets of the town on foot or in colorfully decorated vehicles. The route is not exactly fixed. One rather tries to meet the other groups as little as possible and still position oneself for the own performance halfway centrally near the main square.
Between the shows, the protagonists can take a little breather, because the numerous performances are extremely exhausting for them. The hotels and restaurants located here then provide the participants with plenty of food and drink during their tour. They also take care of any blisters on their feet and minor repairs to their costumes.
The performances take place from the afternoon until the late evening at different places in Holbox. Each group wears its own outfit according to the theme and has rehearsed a show of about ten to twenty minutes over many weeks, which is presented with full commitment and enthusiasm.
The Grand Finale
It is a loud, colorful celebration of joy and the good mood quickly spreads to the spectators. At the end, all the dance groups gather for the grand finale in the main square, where each group gives its best once again and the show reaches its absolute climax. After that, the party goes on until dawn.
If you spend your vacation on Holbox Island at carnival time, you should not miss the spectacle. The locals look forward to this special event all year round and proudly present their costumes and choreographies with the highest commitment and corresponding exuberance until the early morning hours.
Tip: For travelers seeking peace and quiet, these nights can be exhausting, especially near the city center. In this case, it is advisable to book accommodation a little outside the downtown area.
FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about Carnival in Mexico.
More about events and festivities in Holbox and what to expect there:
