Dates • Culture • Flights + Hotels • Fun fact • Newsletter

TThis is a simple, English-friendly starting point for planning Montevideo’s Carnival season—built for travelers who want the key dates, where to stay, and what to prioritize.

The two headline experiences are Las Llamadas (candombe in Barrio Sur / Palermo) and the wider Carnival calendar of murgas and neighborhood tablados. Schedules can shift year to year, so it’s smart to confirm details closer to your travel date. This page will be updated as official information is posted.

Carnival dates (Montevideo 2026)

• Thu, Jan 22, 2026 — Desfile Inaugural (Av. 18 de Julio)
• Fri, Jan 23, 2026 — Desfile de Escuelas de Samba (Av. 18 de Julio)
• Mon, Jan 26, 2026 — Concurso Oficial begins (Teatro de Verano)
• Fri–Sat, Feb 6–7, 2026 — Desfile de Llamadas (Isla de Flores, Barrio Sur / Palermo)

More dates and neighborhood schedules will be added as they’re confirmed.

Carnival culture in 60 seconds

Montevideo’s Carnival blends multiple traditions, but three words help you “get it” fast: candombe, murgas, and tablados. Candombe is an Afro-Uruguayan drumming-and-dance tradition—central to Las Llamadas, when comparsas fill the streets of Barrio Sur and Palermo. Murgas are satirical musical theater groups, and tablados are neighborhood stages where performances run throughout the season. Together, they make Carnival feel like a city-wide calendar of culture—not just a single parade night.

How to get there (flights) + where to stay (hotels)

Flights: Fly into Montevideo (MVD). From the airport, it’s straightforward to reach central neighborhoods by taxi/ride app.

Hotels: For a convenient base, consider Centro / Cordón (good access to the city, easy logistics). If you want the closest feel to Las Llamadas, look at Barrio Sur / Palermo—you’ll be nearer to the candombe heart of Carnival.

Hotel map / booking widget (Stay22) will go here.

Map + booking links coming soon.

Fun fact

Uruguay’s Carnival is often described as one of the longest—roughly 40 days, running from late January into March.

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© 2026 UruguayCarnival.com • Independent travel guide; info may change—confirm locally.