Next: 6 to 8 Feb 2027
Oruro Carnival
Bolivia's mountain carnival: thousands of dancers in devil masks and embroidered costumes for the Virgin of the Mineshaft.
When is Oruro Carnival in 2027?
Oruro Carnival 2027 runs from 6 to 8 February 2027. Other years: 2026, 14 to 16 February 2026; 2028, 26 to 28 February 2028.
About Oruro Carnival
The Carnaval de Oruro, held in the mining city of Oruro on the Bolivian altiplano, is a UNESCO masterpiece and is held on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. It is both a Catholic devotion to the Virgen del Socavón, the Virgin of the Mineshaft, and a celebration of Andean beliefs, with the ancient god Tío, owner of the minerals. About 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians in dozens of groups, the conjuntos, walk a four-kilometre route for twenty hours, in dances such as the Diablada, the devils in horned masks and sequined costumes, the Morenada, the Caporales and the Tinku. The most important part comes at the end, when the dancers kneel and pray to the Virgin at the church. The next day brings the "Challa", an offering of drinks, flowers and confetti, to the earth.
Oruro Carnival dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Oruro Carnival date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 to 16 February 2026 |
| 2027 | 6 to 8 February 2027 |
| 2028 | 26 to 28 February 2028 |
What is eaten
- chicharron
- api con pastel
- chuño
Traditions of Oruro Carnival
Also part of it, and being written: Virgen del Socavón (The patron of the miners.), Tío de la Mina (The underground lord of the mines.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Oruro Carnival" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.