São Vicente will not have an official Carnival parade in 2026.
There will be no official São Vicente Carnival parade in 2026. The decision was made by the Independent League of Official Carnival Groups of São Vicente (LIGOC-SV), which justifies it with the lack of conditions considered essential by at least four groups.
Among these demands are the creation of functional and safe shipyards, the phased and predictable release of municipal subsidies, the allocation of a dedicated headquarters to LIGOC-SV, and the undertaking of an economic and financial impact study of the São Vicente Carnival. This position was communicated to the press today by David Leite, vice-president of the LIGOC-SV Deliberative Council.
“For the year 2026 there will be no official parades or competition between the carnival groups. Any responsibility regarding the 2026 Carnival, namely the official parades, falls on the Mayor of São Vicente. Everyone loses with the cancellation of the official parades, but this is the only responsible position given the current situation. This is, therefore, a courageous decision, made out of love for culture, with a heavy heart, but with a sense of responsibility,” he says.
According to the official, the lack of institutional commitments, coupled with accumulated debts and the absence of basic resources to begin preparations, makes it impossible for LIGOC-SV to organize the official Carnival parades of 2026.
“The improvements we are requesting across the board are aimed at the well-being of the community and add value to the entire creative economy chain of Carnival. These improvements should significantly impact carnival performers, carpenters, seamstresses, prop makers, metalworkers, painters, and everyone involved in the Carnival spectacle. Likewise, the entire local and regional business fabric will benefit, including hotels, residences, guesthouses, small businesses, restaurants, transportation, and finally, the State, through an exponential increase in tax collection,” he states.
Regarding the 50% of funding allocated to carnival groups, which the Ministry of Culture claims to have already transferred, David Leite explains that clarification is needed before they decide whether to use or return the money.
“750,000 escudos were deposited for the groups, but there is currently some ambiguity in the information we have. According to the Ministry of Culture's statement, this is a tranche for the 2026 Carnival. But the information that the LIGOC Deliberative Council has is that this amount was allocated to resolve the groups' problems. This is information that needs to be cross-referenced and clarified. If it is for resolving the groups' problems, the funds will be used. If it is not for resolving the groups' problems, and it is part of the 2026 budget, it will have to be returned to the previous recipients,” he explains.
The press conference was attended by representatives from the groups Monte Sossego, Vindos do Oriente, Estrela do Mar, and Escola de Samba Tropical. The president of the League, Marco Bento, was not present, according to David Leite, due to unforeseen circumstances. The groups Cruzeiros do Norte and Flores do Mindelo have already expressed their intention to participate in the parade, but the head of LIGOC-SV states that, if this happens, it will be the sole responsibility of those groups.
Island Express
