Carnaval de Cozumel is one of the biggest festivals on the island. Normally held in February in correlation to the Catholic holiday of Ash Wednesday; Carnaval festivities in Cozumel are like a “family-friendly” Rio de Janeiro. The entire island participates in the Carnaval events with colorful-costumed dances, rhythm-filled parades and parties filling the streets. The highlight of the weekend is the Cozumel Carnival Parade. The parades take place in the evenings over the entire weekend, saving the best for last on Tuesday, which culminates the end of the celebration.

There are plenty of other things to do in Cozumel when it comes to festivities. The festival of El Cedral or Santa Cruz (held in May in the sleepy village of Cedral Cozumel) is a 150-year-old tradition honoring the cross. Other big happenings throughout the year include: the Mexican Independence Day and Patrón de San Miguel in September, the Day of the Dead (a remembrance of the deceased) in November and of course Christmas (Noche Buena) in December.