The Carnival is organized by a group of professionals and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP). This year, they aim to surpass all of the figures achieved in 2012. The 2013 Carnival will have 800,000 participants during the 5-day show and will be attended by 21,500 tourists and 23 international journalists. The 4 days of parades will feature 50 floats, among them the biggest float in carnival history, measuring 100 feet long, as well as entertainment by 129 national artists, 48 congo dancing groups and 10 trucks with tanks full of water to spray on the crowds.

Once again, the event will be supported by the security forces of the Red Cross, National System of Civil Protection (SINAPROC), National Police and the City Hall of Panama.

The carnival will be held on the Coastal Strip to remind the attendees of the V Centenary of Balboa's crossing of the Darién when he discovered the South Sea, a feat that Panama will be celebrating in various ways throughout 2013.

One of the first carnival events will be to elect a queen, which will take place on Tuesday, January 8 at 8:00 p.m. in the Anayansi Theater of Atlapa.

The ATP views Carnival of the City as a major tourism product and a grand national holiday that evolves every year to attract tourists and economic benefits.