Amidst jubilation, music, and a vibrant atmosphere, the Casa El Marino Museum was the setting for the official presentation of the contestants vying for the various titles at the 2026 Mazatlán International Carnival.
This year’s celebration, themed “Long Live the Tambora,” will take place from February 12th to 17th.
A total of nine women from Mazatlán will compete for the titles of Carnival Queen and Queen of the Floral Games: Joanna Castillo, Monserrat Zamudio, Marbella Medina, Marbella Rivera, Anahí Esparza, Karely Tirado, Mariana Guerrero, Danya Moreno, and Andrea García. All were presented on a night that overflowed with the festive spirit of the port city.
In the competition for the title of King of Joy, Víctor Joel, Romeo Antonio, Guillermo Orrante, and Javier Osuna “El Chiras” were announced, while the young girls Eileen, Noelia, and Elisa will compete for Children’s Queen, with their selection based on the amount of monetary votes raised.
The presentation was marked by surprising moments, such as the drone show that illuminated the sky, forming the name of the Carnival, “Arriba la Tambora” (Long Live the Drum), as well as the names of each contestant.
Fireworks accompanied the moment when, after the event and after the candidates received their sashes, they paraded down Avenida del Mar.
The main show, titled “The Sea that Awakens the Party,” opened the evening with a conceptual video where images of the ocean, seagulls, and everyday scenes of the port poetically narrated the spirit of Carnival.
“Because in Mazatlán, emotion becomes strength… Long live the tambora, Mazatlán International Carnival 2026!” echoed through the venue’s sound system as the celebration officially began.
The artistic gala shone thanks to the ensemble prepared by the Municipal Institute of Culture, which filled the venue with music, dance, and energy. The Youth Orchestra of the Municipal Center for the Arts, made up of 35 young musicians, performed emblematic pieces such as Mazatlán, Noches de Mazatlán, and Soy de Mazatlán.
Meanwhile, 25 students from the Mazatlán Professional Dance School brought contemporary choreography to life.
Added to this were the voices of 60 children from the Children’s Choir, which contributed a heavenly tone, and the musical power of the Banda Sinaloense Brissa Mazatleca, whose authenticity ignited the atmosphere and brought to a close a night full of art and tradition.
The ceremony took on an emotional tone with the entrance of those who wore the crown and carried the festive responsibility of the 2025 Mazatlán International Carnival: Lucero I, Carnival Queen; Desiré I, Queen of the Floral Games; Ángela I, Children’s Queen; Ximena II, Queen of Poetry; Brayan I, King of Joy; as well as Sergio, Royal Prince, and Roberto, Royal Marquis.
Their presence, laden with symbolism, marked the festive handover, as they returned as guardians of the carnival legacy to ceremonially pass on—since they were the ones in charge of bestowing the sashes upon the candidates—the spark of reign to those aspiring to be crowned in the 2026 edition.
In the categories of King of Joy and Children’s Queen, the election system continues to be based on the collection of votes, where one vote is equivalent to one peso.
This means that public support is crucial in determining the winners.
The Carnival Queen will be chosen on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ángela Peralta Theater, where a jury appointed by the Institute of Culture will judge the contestants based on beauty and personality.
Dates of the biggest celebration
The 2026 Mazatlán Carnival, “Arriba la Tambora” (Long Live the Drum), will take place from February 12 to 17.
Scheduled events
December 11 – First parade and vote count
January 19 – Second parade
January 23 – Final vote count
January 24 – Queen pageant
February 7 – Evening of the Arts
February 12 – Coronation of the King of Joy
February 13 – Coronation of the Floral Games
February 14 – Coronation of the Carnival
February 15 – First Parade
February 16 – Coronation of the Children’s Queen
February 17 – Second Parade
Source: noroeste
