Oaxaca Carnaval 2027: Dates, Parades, Diablos Aceitados and Tiliches

If you stopped me in Oaxaca's Zócalo and asked where to see Carnaval, I would probably ask you another question first. Do you want to see a little bit of everything without leaving the city, or would you rather go to a town where the whole celebration takes over the streets?

Because those are two very different experiences. Oaxaca doesn't have one giant Carnaval parade that everybody goes to. Different communities have their own celebrations, with their own masks, music, jokes and traditions. Some are close enough for a day trip from Oaxaca City. Others, especially Putla, are worth planning a few days around.

I'll walk you through the places I would consider, what makes each one special, how to get there and what you should know before going. Where the new schedule is still missing, I'll say so. I would much rather you know what is uncertain than show up in the wrong place at the wrong hour.

The Oaxaca Carnaval 2027 calendar

Let's get the calendar out of the way first. Since Carnaval is tied to the beginning of Lent, we know that Tuesday, February 9 is Carnaval Tuesday and Wednesday, February 10 is Ash Wednesday. What we don't know yet is which communities will begin celebrating on which days, or what time their individual events will start.

The events I am keeping an eye on

Which Carnaval should you visit?

If you only have time for one, don't choose blindly. Here's how I would explain the difference to a friend who was visiting for the first time.

You cannot see everything in one afternoon, and I wouldn't try. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the place you choose instead of spending the day rushing from one town to another.

Oaxaca City: the Carnaval showcases

Let's say you are staying in Oaxaca City and don't want to organize a day trip. A Carnaval showcase, when one is scheduled, is probably the easiest introduction. Different groups come together with their masks, costumes and music, and you can see a variety of traditions in a single outing.

There is one detail worth keeping straight. The state and the municipality have organized separate showcases, so don't assume that two announcements with similar names refer to the same parade. For 2027, neither program has a confirmed date or route. Macedonio Alcalá, the Historic Center and Plaza de la Danza have been part of Carnaval activity, but I would not use any of them as a confirmed 2027 meeting point just yet.

• State showcase: Date, time, route and participating groups not confirmed.
• Municipal showcase: Date, time, route and program not confirmed.
• Admission: No confirmed 2027 information for associated activities.

San Martín Tilcajete: meet the Diablos Aceitados

If somebody asked me where to go for a Carnaval that is noisy, funny and completely different from an ordinary festival, Tilcajete would be near the top of my list. You may already know San Martín Tilcajete for the beautiful carved copal figures made there. During Carnaval, though, it is the masked Diablos Aceitados who get everyone's attention.

Picture people wearing carved masks, bells around their waists and bodies covered with dark oil or bright pigments. They run, dance, make noise and have a lot of fun with the people around them. Some participants use different materials, so don't assume everybody will look the same. And if you're standing close enough to be part of the fun, there's a fair chance you'll go home with a little color on your clothes.

My advice is simple. Wear something old, put your phone somewhere safe and don't stand in the way of a group coming down the street. The Diablos are not performing on a stage. You're visiting their town during a living tradition.

There are gatherings on Sundays leading up to the final celebration. The 2027 dates, times and gathering places are not confirmed. February 9 is Carnaval Tuesday, but you'll still need the town's announcement before making a special trip for a specific event.

And then there is the mock wedding

One of Tilcajete's best-known Carnaval traditions is a wedding that is anything but ordinary. The bride and groom are joined by characters such as La Viuda, La Llorona, La Muerte and the padrinos. It is a playful, satirical take on marriage and the social rules everybody is expected to follow the rest of the year.

This is not a show with a curtain and assigned seating. People move through the streets, music follows along and the celebration becomes part of daily town life. If the wedding is what you really want to see, check the exact local program before leaving Oaxaca City. Its 2027 time and route are not confirmed.

Putla Villa de Guerrero: a whole town dressed for Carnaval

Putla is the one I would tell you to make time for if Carnaval is a big part of why you're coming to Oaxaca. It isn't around the corner from the city, and that is exactly why I would not squeeze it into a day trip. Go with enough time to enjoy the town and the celebration properly.

The most recognizable characters are the Tiliches, also known as Los Viejos. Their costumes are covered with colorful strips of fabric that bounce and sway as they dance. Once a group starts moving, it's quite a sight. The masks and all those layers of cloth give the dancers a wonderfully different appearance from the Diablos you see in the Central Valleys.

Three comparsas to know

• Los Viejos or Tiliches: The dancers in those unmistakable costumes made of strips of fabric.
• Los Copalas: A comparsa with its own clothing, music and traditions.
• La Danza del Macho or Mascaritas: A theatrical comparsa with characters, comedy and social satire.

You'll hear more than one story about where the Tiliche costume came from. That's part of the local oral tradition, and I wouldn't try to reduce it to a single tidy explanation. What matters when you visit is that these are traditions the community continues to make its own.

Past Carnaval programs have included children's activities, costume contests, comparsa processions, the search for a lost bull, the robo del tenate and closing dances. They are all things to look out for when the new program is released, but none of their 2027 dates or times is confirmed yet.

Villa de Zaachila: Diablos, Zancudos and plenty to eat

Zaachila is a good choice if you want an enjoyable day out without traveling very far from Oaxaca City. The Carnaval de los Diablos brings masked characters, music and plenty of street activity to the town. You may also encounter the Danza de los Zancudos, one of the traditions for which Zaachila is well known.

And then there are the cascarones. These are hollow eggshells filled with confetti, and you can probably imagine what happens to them during Carnaval. It all adds to the fun.

Another reason I like recommending Zaachila is that there may be more to do than watch a parade. The town has hosted a Feria del Cascarón and a Feria del Tamal y Bebidas Prehispánicas. A morning or afternoon here can become a nice mix of Carnaval, food and time spent getting to know the town.

For 2027, though, the Carnaval schedule and the return of those fairs are not confirmed. The municipality still needs to announce the dates, locations and hours. I would not tell you to turn up at the municipal esplanade at a particular time until that information has been published.

There are more Carnavales than these

One thing I love about explaining Carnaval in Oaxaca is that the list never really ends with the famous names. Communities such as San Juan Bautista La Raya, Santa María Coyotepec, Ánimas Trujano, San Raymundo Jalpan, San Pablo Huitzo and Teotitlán del Valle have been represented in Carnaval showcases. There are traditions in the Mixteca and on the Coast as well.

But there is an important difference between seeing a community perform at a city showcase and finding a public Carnaval celebration in its hometown. Those additional communities do not yet have confirmed 2027 programs in this guide. If you have one in mind, check with the municipality before traveling.

What should you eat while you're there?

If we were talking about this over lunch, this is the part I would have the most fun with. Don't go looking for one special dish called Carnaval food. Every town has its favorites, and my advice is to see what the local cooks are making.

In Putla, you'll come across festive foods associated with the region, including barbacoa, masita de chivo, tamales and pozole, along with drinks such as tepache. In Zaachila, the food fairs have offered a chance to try different tamales and traditional beverages. Their 2027 dates, of course, still need confirming.

Back in the Central Valleys, keep an eye out for memelas, tlayudas, tacos, fresh fruit and aguas frescas. If a little stand is busy with local families, that's often where I would start.

Someone may offer you mezcal during a celebration. You are perfectly welcome to say, "No, gracias." If you do have a drink, remember that Carnaval can mean hours in the sun and a lot of walking. Take water with you either way.

How to get there from Oaxaca City

This is the question I would want you to sort out before anything else, especially if you're planning to stay out after dark. Finding your way to a town during the day is one thing. Finding a ride back after the music has stopped is another.

I have not listed exact fares or 2027 festival transport schedules because those are not confirmed. During a big celebration, roads may close and your usual pickup point may not be where you expect. Ask before leaving, not when you're tired at the end of the night.

How I would plan three days around Carnaval

My first rule is to keep the plan flexible until the town schedules come out. Here's a sensible way to organize three days without pretending that every parade time has already been announced.

If you're going to Putla, I would forget this three-day city-based plan and give Putla its own stay. It's too far away to treat as a quick stop between other activities.

If you want to use the capital as your base, you can find hotels and guesthouses in Oaxaca City and take day trips once the individual Carnaval dates are published.

A few things I would tell you before you go

• Wear comfortable shoes. You may spend quite a bit of time on your feet, and not every street will be smooth.
• Don't wear your favorite outfit to Tilcajete. Oil, pigment and enthusiastic Diablos are not a good combination for brand-new clothes.
• Protect your phone and camera. Crowds, confetti and close interaction are part of the experience.
• Carry some cash. Small food stands and local transportation may not accept cards.
• Bring water and something for the sun. A Carnaval day can be longer than you expect.
• Ask before taking close-up photos. These celebrations belong to the people who organize them, not to visiting photographers.
• Don't expect everything to run by the minute. Processions may stop, move slowly or change pace.
• Spend a little money in the community. Have lunch, buy something handmade or use a local service if you can.

Most of all, enjoy the experience without worrying about seeing every last event. These are living community celebrations, not a checklist you have to finish.

Questions visitors ask me about Oaxaca Carnaval

When is Carnaval in Oaxaca in 2027?

Tuesday, February 9 is Carnaval Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 10 is Ash Wednesday. Each community chooses its own program, so the precise 2027 festival dates and times are not confirmed yet.

Is there one big parade in Oaxaca City?

No single parade represents all of Oaxaca's Carnaval traditions. Oaxaca City has hosted showcases featuring groups from different communities, but the dates and routes for 2027 are not confirmed.

Where can I see the Diablos Aceitados?

San Martín Tilcajete is known for the Diablos Aceitados. It is a day trip from Oaxaca City, but check the local 2027 schedule before going for a particular procession or the mock wedding.

And where are the Tiliches?

Head to Putla Villa de Guerrero for the colorful Tiliches and the wider Carnaval Putleco traditions. I recommend staying overnight rather than trying to get back to Oaxaca City that same night.

Can I bring children?

Families do attend community celebrations, but every location feels different. The music can be loud, crowds can be thick and the Diablos in Tilcajete may get very close. Choose a comfortable viewing spot and leave yourself an easy way to step away if needed.

Is Carnaval free?

Many community street celebrations are traditionally open to spectators, but I cannot promise that every 2027 activity will be free. There are no confirmed admission details here for special programs, concerts or associated fairs.

When should I check back?

I would check in January 2027 and again just before you travel. I'll update this guide as reliable local announcements become available, especially the exact parade routes and starting times.