Not only in Veracruz, Mazatlan or Campeche you can live the party trough this season. Here are ten destinations that also celebrate original and local celebrations in February.
In Mexico all the carnival celebrations have different meanings. But each one of them is highlighted in their colors and dances, very linked to the bad luck days marked in the Xalamatl (the Nahuatl calendar) and also linked to other mix-race traditions. Below, we’ve listed the most outstanding ones.
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The Mazatlan Carnival in Sinaloa
The Mazatlan carnival is known because it’s one of the oldest carnivals around Mexico. It’s characterized for having, a carnival queen crowning, parties, dances, big parades and concerts. You can enjoy the festivities from 25th to feb 28th.
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The Veracruz Carnival
The Jarocho harbour is always a synonym for party and joy. It’s the venue of one of the most colorful events all around Mexico thanks to Veracruz has floats and marching bands, the burn of the bad humor, crowning of carnival kings and the burial of “Juan Carnaval”. The festivities start on February 22nd and run till February 28th.
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Carnival of Campeche
The festival of the city of Campeche is one of the oldest in Mexico, and it’s known for the “burial of the bad humor” which is presented by a rag doll dressed like a pirate, once the doll starts to burn, the festival of flowers begins, along with the popular dances and the carnival floats. You can join the festivities on January 19th until February 28th.
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The Carnivals of Morelos
There’s carnival celebrations in several different towns. Juitepec, Axochiapan, Tlayacapan, Tepoztlan, Yautepec y Atlatlahucan, the most famous event in this parties is the well-known jump of the Chinelo. The festivities start on February 26th until March 19th.
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Carnival of Merida, Yucatan
There are parades in Merida, a bad mood burning, the battle of the flowers, contests, troupes and the burial of “Juan Carnaval”. The festivities begin on February 22nd and end on March 1st.
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The Carnivals of Huejotzingo, Puebla
More than 2,000 people participate in groups as apaches, serranos, suavos and turcos who dance in the principal square and go around the streets; in front of them goes general Zaragoza. You can also find devils and death impersonators that will amaze you with tricks.The carnival runs from February 25th to February 28th.
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The Carnival of Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca
In this town a satirical scene of the mixed traditions as weddings and divorces is showcased. It is called the dance of the tejorones. There are also, parades, masks and the representation of a tiger hunt. The festivities occur throughout February.
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The Carnival of San Juan Chamula and Huistan, Chiapas
The people of the town get dressed as “Mash” (Monkey) with a typical San Juan Chamula dress. Meanwhile, in Huistan they wear masks get their faces painted and play guitar. You can enjoy the festivities during the whole month of February.
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The Carnival of Tlaxcala
The carnival of the city of Tlaxcala is characterized by dances of Nahua origin, it also highlights the torment of the fire eater (burning a doll) the flashy costumes and the quadrille of catrines as well as the parades, the floats and the representation of the hangman.
