Chapala kicks off Carnaval festivities Thursday, February 8 with a full agenda of boisterous happenings lined up through Tuesday, February 13. Meanwhile, Ajijic is already on a good-times roll with its own brand of traditional Mardi Gras mayhem.
Events sponsored by the Chapala government are concentrated at the fairgrounds in La Cristianía Park, with free admission at the gate. No-cost entertainment programs are staged in the Teatro del Pueblo, while headline bands perform for signature dance concerts, requiring paid entry, enclosed on the open-air Esplanada.
Traditional jaripeo bull-riding spectacles with live banda music for dancing in the stands are held at the Lienzo Charro González Gallo, located at the north end of Avenida Madero opposite the Pemex service station. These paid events are preceded by free recibimiento cocktail receptions for livestock sponsors, held at the Chapala Plaza from 1 p.m.
Thursday, February 8
6:30 p.m. Entierro del Mal Humor (ill-humor burial) parade leaves the north end of Avenida Madero, turning to the fairgrounds via Ramón Corona.
8:30 p.m. Carnaval inauguration at the fairgrounds gate, followed by the coronation of madcap ruler El Rey Feo and entertainment by singer Bruno de Jesús, Teatro del Pueblo.
Friday, February 9
4 p.m. Jaripeo, headliners Los Enanitos Toreros midget bullfighters & Banda La Interactiva, Lienzo Charro.
7 p.m. Mariachi Gala, followed by Reina de Carnaval pageant and coronation and live pop music by Los Terrícolas, Teatro del Pueblo.
Saturday, February 10
4 p.m. Jaripeo, headliners Banda Pelillos & Adán Lozano, Lienzo Charro.
7 p.m. Cultural event TBA, Teatro del Pueblo.
8:30 p.m. Electro Music Fest, Teatro del Pueblo.
9 p.m. Dance concert with Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Banda Astilleros, Banda Lagos USA & Banda El Pueblito, Esplanada.
Sunday, February 11
10:30 a.m. Carnaval parade along Avenida Madero and Ramón Corona.
2 p.m. Rap Fest featuring various performers, Esplanada.
4 p.m. Lucha Libre wrestling, Teatro del Pueblo.
4 p.m. Jaripeo, headliners Los Plebes del Rancho & Fidel Rueda, Lienzo Charro.
Monday, February 12
4 p.m. Jaripeo, headliners Mi Banda El Mexicano & Banda La Sad Boyz, Lienzo Charro.
8 p.m. Noche de Bandas, with La Colegiada and La Caramelo, Teatro del Pueblo.
Tuesday, February 13
4 p.m. Jaripeo Finale, battle of the bands with La Poderosa San Juan, Astilleros & Banda San Miguel, Lienzo Charro.
6 p.m. Cultural event TBA, Teatro del Pueblo.
7 p.m. Vocalist-songwriter Juan Pablo González “Juvan”, Teatro del Pueblo.
8:30 p.m. Surprise event TBA, Teatro del Pueblo.
9 p.m. Baile de Carnaval all-night finale with Banda Carnaval, Banda Lagos USA, Banda El Pueblito and singer El Yaki, Esplanada.
Ajijic revelry
Ajijic’s Carnaval revolves around the traditional Fiestas Taurinas that started on January 28, continuing Sunday, February 4 and daily February 10 through 13.
The action begins with the Toro de Once, when the gender-bending masked Sayaca dancers romp through the village, departing from Calle Galeana behind the San Andrés church, 11 a.m., heading to the plaza, Seis Esquinas and turning back via Ocampo-Constitución to end at the Lienzo Charro arena on Revolución for more antics and a brief bout of amateur bull-riding.
Jaripeos with daredevil bull-riders, high-decibel banda music and unbridled carousing are held at the Lienzo on all the above dates, starting at 4 to 4:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on February 13, with entry fees of 100 to 200 pesos paid at the gate.
The spirited February 13 Carnaval parade led by La Sayaca starts from the east end of Constitución around 11 a.m., heading west to Seis Esquinas and looping back to the plaza via Hidalgo. Colorful floats and costumed revelers are heavily armed with confetti and baking flour to douse spectators and arouse merriment along the route.