Carnaval de Oruro

Oruro Carnival
Diablada dance at the Oruro Carnival 2007
Typecultural, religious, Christian
SignificanceCelebration prior to fasting season of Lent.
CelebrationsParades, parties, open-air performances
BeginsFriday before Ash Wednesday (55 days to Easter)
EndsAsh Wednesday noon (46 days before Easter)
2023 dateAfternoon, February 13 –
midday, February 22
2024 dateAfternoon, February 5 –
midday, February 14
2025 dateAfternoon, February 24 –
midday, March 5
2026 dateAfternoon, February 9 –
midday, February 18
Frequencyannual
Related toFiesta de La Candelaria, Carnival, Ash Wednesday, Lent
Carnival of Oruro
CountryBolivia
Reference00003
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean
Inscription history
Inscription2008 (3rd session)
ListRepresentative
The Diablada, dance primeval, typical and main of Carnival of Oruro a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2001 in Bolivia (Image: Fraternidad Artística y Cultural "La Diablada".
Llamerada Dancers in the Carnival

The Carnival of Oruro is a religious and cultural festival in Oruro, Bolivia. It has been celebrated since the 18th century in the Peruvian virreynato. Originally an indigenous festival, the celebration later was transformed to incorporate a Christian ritual around the Virgin of Socavón. The carnival is one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Throughout the festival, more than 48 groups of folk dancers specializing in 18 different folk dances perform a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Tunnel every Saturday of the carnival in a traditional parade. The traditional Llama llama or Diablada became the leading traditional dance of the festival.