Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi announced plans this week to significantly expand the capital’s annual Carnival. The goal is to transform the local festival into a premier international tourist destination. This strategic push follows what city officials called a record-breaking and secure event this year.
Municipal data shows the five-day celebration along the Cinta Costera attracted over 330,000 attendees. That figure surpasses previous years and solidifies the Carnival as one of the nation’s largest mass gatherings. Mayor Mizrachi credited the success to tight security coordination and growing public enthusiasm.
“The influx was historic and we reported zero major security incidents,” Mayor Mayer Mizrachi stated. [Translated from Spanish] He emphasized the collaborative efforts between the National Police of Panama, Municipal Police, and other security agencies. The seamless operation, he argued, provides a strong foundation for future growth.
The mayor’s office now views the festival as an underdeveloped economic engine. Their clear objective involves branding it as an exportable tourism product. This would shift its economic impact beyond local spending to attract significant foreign revenue. A multi-pronged strategy to achieve this includes hiring more international musical artists, boosting promotional campaigns with the national tourism authority, and increasing private sponsorship to reduce reliance on public funds.
Logistical Overhaul Planned for 2026 Festival
Planned changes for the 2026 event are already underway. Current venues along the waterfront corridor are now deemed too small for the surging crowds. City planners are analyzing several concrete upgrades to improve the visitor experience and accommodate even larger numbers.
One proposed measure is a digital pre-registration system using a QR code “Fast Pass” for streamlined entry. Officials also plan to install more stages, increase the number of water tankers and logistical support points, and revise the entire security plan. The revised security framework would need to manage crowds potentially swelling to 450,000 people. This expansion aligns with the mayor’s vision of establishing the Panama City Carnival as a regional reference point by 2027.
Mizrachi defended the festival’s local economic role. It acts as a vital stimulus for micro-entrepreneurs and street vendors. The event also provides an accessible entertainment alternative for capital residents who do not travel to the country’s interior for traditional Carnival celebrations.
Calle 50 Project to Complement Long-Term Vision
A separate but complementary urban project could further reshape the city’s capacity for major events. The municipality is advancing a comprehensive recovery plan for Calle 50, the city’s main financial artery. The project envisions burying utility cables, widening sidewalks, adding trees, and improving lighting.
The ultimate aim is to transform this thoroughfare into Panama’s version of a “Fifth Avenue.” This renovated space could eventually host large parades and mass events, diversifying the city’s cultural and tourist offerings. The plan requires inter-institutional coordination and aims to recover irregularly occupied public spaces without reducing vehicle lanes. This infrastructure development, alongside the mayer mizrachi administration’s focus on security technology, forms part of a broader strategy to make the city safer and more attractive for large-scale tourism.
Success for the mayor’s ambitious plan hinges on sustained private investment and meticulous logistical planning. Transforming a popular local holiday into a must-see international spectacle presents a complex challenge. The commitment to upgrade infrastructure and security, however, signals a serious municipal effort to capitalize on the festival’s demonstrated momentum and growing appeal.