Carnaval de Cienfuegos

Organized systematically since 1909 around the days before Ash Wednesday, Cienfuegos's carnival ran across four weekends of society balls, comparsa parades and a queen-and-court election, with commercially sponsored comparsas including Los Moros Azules and Los Principes de la Caridad from named neighborhoods, distinguished by arrollando, spectators dancing directly behind each comparsa along its entire route.

Cienfuegos organized its carnival systematically from the 1909 celebration onward, timing the festivities to coincide with the days leading up to Ash Wednesday and continuing across four consecutive weekends, with activity running roughly from six in the evening until six the following morning on Saturdays and Sundays.