Festivals and Seasonal Events

Almost every town in Uruguay celebrates Carnaval, the festival that precedes the beginning of Lent and here can last up to 40 days. The entire country participates in the comparsas, the festive mix of singing, dancing, drinking, eating, and general merrymaking. Carnaval overtakes Montevideo with parades, dancing in the streets, and general all-hours revelry. Semana Criolla, celebrated the week before Easter in the Montevideo suburb of Carrasco, is an excellent way to observe traditional gaucho activities. Montevideo holds an annual cattle fair in August.