The 2026 Carnival in Belo Horizonte has made headlines by surpassing previous attendance records with around 6.5 million revelers participating, as reported by the state government. This figure indicates an 8.3% increase compared to the 2025 Carnival, which gathered 6 million attendees, underlining the growing popularity of the event.

The overall turnout for Carnival events in Minas Gerais reached a staggering 14.9 million people, an increase of 14.2% from the previous year. This surge demonstrates not only the cultural significance of the celebrations but also their role in bolstering tourism and the local economy. The Secretary of State for Culture and Tourism emphasized the impact of Carnival on economic activities, noting that the festivities generated approximately R$ 5.83 billion (roughly $1 billion USD), with R$ 1.4 billion generated specifically in Belo Horizonte alone.

In addition to financial benefits, the Carnival led to increased activity in hospitality sectors, with hotels reaching full capacity, and it drew tourists to historical sites across the state. The state capital's bus station and the Confins International Airport also experienced heightened passenger traffic, further indicating the festival's broader economic implications for Minas Gerais. These statistics not only celebrate the carnival's current success but also set the stage for future growth in tourism and cultural events in the region.