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The Alejandro Serrano Aguilar stadium cleared its CONMEBOL inspection with only minor tweaks needed. That means Copa Sudamericana matches are officially coming to Cuenca — and the city is about to get loud.

If Cuenca felt unusually packed this weekend, you weren't imagining it. Hotels hit 90% occupancy, 1.3 million Ecuadorians hit the road, and the government estimates the four-day feriado will generate up to $100 million in tourism spending. Here's what the Carnival boom actually looked like.

From this morning's Mote Pata workshop to Saturday night's Nicky Jam concert, here's everything happening in Cuenca for Carnival 2026 — plus Tranvía schedule changes, road patrol info, and what to know before you head out.

Carnival week kicks off Thursday with Jueves de Compadres, followed by a Color Fest 5K, the Four Rivers parade, free mote pata for 9,000 people, and Nicky Jam at the stadium. Tickets are $5-$35 at Farmasol.

The headline concert of Carnival 2026 features Nicky Jam and Trebol Clan on February 14 at Estadio Serrano Aguilar. Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to purchasing and conserving paramo in Cajas National Park.

Cuenca's biggest party of the year runs February 12-17 with a packed schedule: the Four Rivers parade, a Color Fest, concerts at Serrano Aguilar stadium, a chiva market tour, and an attempt to certify the world's largest mote pata with Guinness officials on hand.