NT BUZZ
The Porvorim Carnival Committee has announced the return of the People’s Carnival Parade 2026, a community-led, people-powered celebration that aims to revive the original spirit of Goa’s Carnival, where culture, creativity, and public participation take precedence over spectacle. The People’s Carnival Parade will be held on February 13, 3.30 p.m. onwards at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Art Park, Porvorim.
This year, a new precedent will be set with participation being strictly people-powered, with no motorised or fuel-driven vehicles, no generators, and no large sound systems. Only acoustic and portable music will be permitted, encouraging creativity through costumes, storytelling, live music, dance, and movement.
Outlining the vision behind the initiative, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said, “Carnival has traditionally been an expression of Goa’s social and cultural fabric, rooted in satire, music, humour and collective joy. Over the years, the increasing use of motorised floats, generators and excessive amplification has altered the character of the celebration. It is through initiatives such as the People’s Carnival Parade and people coming forward to help restore Carnival to its original form while keeping it inclusive, environmentally conscious and rooted in community participation that the revival will be seen starting with Porvorim.”
Reena Fernandes, who is part of the organising committee in Porvorim stated, “The parade is designed as an open platform for citizens, families, institutions and performers to actively take part, rather than remain spectators.” The parade will feature people’s floats with a minimum of 20 participants, a family category with a minimum of four members, as well as individual performers including clowns and jokers. To encourage wider participation across age groups and communities, the People’s Carnival Parade 2026 features a structured prize scheme across multiple categories, including Traditional, Club/Institution, Family and Clown/Joker. Cash prizes will be awarded up to the fifth position in each category, along with consolation prizes.
In addition, an early bird incentive has been introduced, with the first 25 registered People’s Floats (minimum 20 participants) receiving Rs. 6,000 each, and the first 25 family entries (minimum four members) receiving Rs. 3,000 each. The event is open to all.
