Carnaval de Ponce
The Carnaval de Ponce (English: Ponce Carnival), officially Carnaval Ponceño, is an annual celebration of the Carnival holiday held in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The celebration lasts one week, and like most observations of the holiday ends on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day, the day before Ash Wednesday). Thus, like the Carnival holiday in general, it is usually held in February and or March. It dates back to 1858. Some authorities, such as the Smithsonian Institution, believe the Ponce Carnaval can be traced to as far back as 250 years ago. The Carnaval coincides with the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, the Carnival of Venice, and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival and hundreds of other places that observe this holiday around the world. The estimated attendance is 100,000. Scenes of the 2011 Carnaval Ponceño were featured in the Travel Channel on 7 August 2011.
| Carnaval de Ponce | |
|---|---|
Poster bill of the 2011 Carnaval de Ponce, celebrated 2–8 March 2011, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. | |
| Official name | Carnaval Ponceño |
| Also called | Carnaval de Ponce |
| Type | Local, cultural |
| Celebrations | Parades, parties, dances, music, food |
| Date | Week before Ash Wednesday |
| 2023 date | 18-21 March |
| 2024 date | 14-17 February |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1858 |
| Related to | Lent |