São Vicente Carnival: The biggest celebration of Mindelo
- Green Line Tours
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
What to expect during the carnival in Mindelo
Your guide to the largest, most daring and spectacular celebration in São Vicente
It is often said that São Vicente is home to the best carnival in all of Cabo Verde - and once you have experienced it, you will understand why.
If you plan to participate in the festivities, here is everything you need to know about Carnival 2026, which will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Planning in advance
Carnival is one of the busiest and most magical times of the year in Mindelo. It always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (also known as Mardi Gras or Mardi Gras).
👉 Book early! Flights and accommodation sell out quickly, so book your place as soon as possible.
A month of festivities
Carnival is not just a day - it's a whole season of events that accumulate until the big parade.
Mandingas
Celebrations begin one month before Carnival with the legendary Mandingas. Every Sunday, groups of residents march through the Mindelo neighborhoods covered in black oil, dressed in skirts and dancing with contagious energy. These parades grow every week until the "burial of the Mandingas" on the Sunday following Carnival, which marks the end of the season.
For visitors, joining the Mandingas from the sideline is one of the best ways to discover the true local spirit of Carnival.
Children's and teachers' parade
The weekend before Carnival Tuesday, the streets come to life with school groups and teachers parading in costume. Each school chooses a theme - from recycling to music to cultural heritage - and presents colorful and creative costumes made with care. It is a comforting celebration of the community, with children, parents and teachers all coming together.
Samba Tropical
Monday night, the day before Carnival, it's time for Samba Tropical - a dazzling and energetic show that fills the streets with music, rhythm and vibrant costumes. While Tuesday is "the main event", many say that Samba Tropical is just as stunning and not to be missed!
Carnival: The main event
On the Tuesday afternoon of the carnival, months of practice and preparation end with an explosion of color, rhythm and creativity.
The main groups -
Cruzeiros of the North
Mount Sossego
Mindelo flowers
Coming from the East
-Seize the streets with elaborate floats ("andor"), music, dance and costumes, all based on carefully chosen themes.
Carnival is not only a show, it is also a competition. Each group aims to be crowned "Best of Carnival", a title that carries immense pride. In 2025, Cruzeiros do Norte won the prize. Who will win in 2026?
Join us for the Carnival! 🌟
At Green Line Tours, we ensure that our customers benefit from the full Carnival experience:
Daily tours of São Vicente and Santo Antão (full day, half day and city walks) to explore key sites and enjoy the atmosphere.
Visits to group rehearsals, where you will see the dedication and passion behind the parades.
📩 Contact us to plan your carnival adventure: greenlinetourscv@gmail.com | WhatsApp: +238 977 0914
Tickets and seats
At the moment, tickets/stand bracelets are not sold long in advance. In recent years, they have only been released a few days before Carnival, often with strict purchase limits (for example, 2 tickets per person).
Due to this unpredictability, we do not currently offer ticket booking services, but we are closely monitoring the situation and will share updates as soon as more information is available.
For those looking for a guaranteed place, the Oasis Porto Grande hotel offers tickets for the seats on the veranda overlooking the parade route. The hotel also organizes lively parties in the days before the carnival, making it an excellent option for visitors who want to enjoy the festivities in style.
You can also consult LIGOC, the official organization of the Carnival, for announcements and information on ticketing.
✨ Whether it's the contagious rhythm of the Mandingas, the beauty of Samba Tropical or the great show of Tuesday's carnival, one thing is certain: the carnival in Mindelo is an experience you will never forget.
See you in 2026!
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