Las Tablas Kicked off the New Year’s Festivities With Dreamlike Floats
After almost two hours of fireworks, both student musical groups took over the park amidst an enthusiastic crowd. The attendees jumped, sang, and enjoyed themselves until dawn.
Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo in the New Year’s celebration in Las Tablas
The queens of the 2026 Las Tablas Carnival are Ana Isabel Carrizo Castillo, representing Calle Arriba, and Astrid Carolina Sánchez Brandao, representing Calle Abajo.
Las Tablas Panama: The traditional Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo groups ignited excitement in Porras Park to welcome 2026, with the anticipated New Year’s celebration that marks the official start of the Tablas Carnival festivities.
After nearly two hours of fireworks, both groups took over the park amidst an enthusiastic crowd. Calle Abajo made its entrance on a float inspired by Shangri-La, replete with white feathers and elegant details, while Calle Arriba dazzled with a float in shades of pink, with colorful plumage and figures evoking ancient Greek gods.
During the day, the student groups took the opportunity to sing some of the tunes that will be heard throughout the carnivals, including “La doctora Jelou” from Calle Abajo, and “Hay que brutas” from Calle Arriba; in addition to launching their traditional barbs, such as “Where is the pig?” and “The XXX videos”, fueling the rivalry that characterizes these festivities. The attendees jumped, sang and enjoyed themselves until dawn, when the queens made their entrance, leaving the atmosphere ready for the water fights scheduled for this afternoon.
