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Carnival

Carnival 2024, 2025 and 2026

Carnival season in Argentina comes each year in February or March, as in many other Roman Catholic countries. The date varies, but it always immediately precedes Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of a 40-day Lenten fast leading up to Easter.

YearDateDayHoliday
202412 FebMonCarnival
13 FebTueCarnival
20253 MarMonCarnival
4 MarTueCarnival
202616 FebMonCarnival
17 FebTueCarnival
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

In Argentina, both the Monday and Tuesday just preceding Ash Wednesday are public holidays for Carnival.

Carnival was brought over to Argentina, then the colony of “La Plata”, by Spanish and other settlers from Europe in the 1600’s. The Spanish Carnival traditions later were influenced by African and other traditions, making Argentine Carnival a unique celebration.

The biggest, wildest Carnival events in Argentina occur in Gualeguaychu, where there are parades every weekend from January till March. And throughout the whole northern region of Argentina, Carnival is much celebrated.

In some parts, on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, the relationship between mothers and grandmothers is celebrated as a kind of Carnival tradition. It is called “tincunaco ceremony”. A line of mothers will meet with a line of grandmothers under a willow-branch arch that is decked out with candy, fruits, cheeses, flowers, and lanterns. They will exchange dolls as a part of the ceremony as well.

In Argentina, much feasting and revelry takes place just before the Lenten fast begins. During Lent, all meat and certain other pleasures are abstained from by devout Roman Catholics.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202320 FebMonCarnival
21 FebTueCarnival
202228 FebMonCarnival
1 MarTueCarnival
202115 FebMonCarnival
16 FebTueCarnival
202024 FebMonCarnival
25 FebTueCarnival
20194 MarMonCarnival
5 MarTueCarnival
201812 FebMonCarnival
13 FebTueCarnival
201727 FebMonCarnival
28 FebTueCarnival