Montevideo Carnival 2024 in Uruguay

Uruguay’s carnival is often compared to the famous Rio de Janeiro festival. But in reality, the Montevideo carnival has numerous benefits over Brazil’s event. Specifically, it is super affordable (tickets will only cost around $10), more family-oriented, and focuses on having fun.

The carnival season in Uruguay lasts for about 40 days. Preparation starts as early as November: people decorate the streets, set up stages, buy costumes, and rehearse their special-edition shows. But the actual celebration doesn’t begin until the third week of January. The series of parades stretch into March. Whether you arrive in Uruguay during the last weeks of January or at the beginning of March, you’ll be just in time for the party!

The Inaugural Parade (January 25, 2024)

The carnival has three different parts: it kicks off with the Inaugural Parade on Avenida 18 de Julio, from Plaza Independencia to Plaza Cagancha. This event is followed by the Samba Schools Parade, which happens on the next day on the same street.

Desfile de Llamadas (February 9–10, 2024)

Another highlight that shouldn't be missed is the Desfile de Llamadas—a celebration also known as the Parade of the Calls, which goes on for two nights along the traditional route of Carlos Gardel/Isla de Flores streets. This parade, which is held on the second Thursday and Friday of February, is arguably the best part of the carnival, which attracts large crowds of spectators to Montevideo.

Tablados

The carnival then wraps up with tablados—night shows with around four to seven carnival groups moving around the city. For tablados, people set up temporary stages for various performances, like comedies, pantomimes, comparsas, live music concerts, parodies, and endless dancing sessions. And the best part is: Montevideo isn’t crowded with tourists, which gives you plenty of space to enjoy all these festivities without being surrounded by thousands of strangers.