Carnival or Carnaval is a global sensation that is celebrated in over 50 countries around the world. Every carnival cityhas its own unique traditions and way of celebrating. Here is a list of some of the biggest and best carnivals from around the world.
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Here are the world’s best carnivals:
The Carnival of Venice, Italy
Where is Venice Carnival?
Venice, Italy.
What is carnival in Venice?
Nowhere celebrates carnival quite like Venice. This is the most extravagant and elegant carnival in the world. The carnival is famous for its revellers wearing traditional 18th century masks and costumes. Wearing masks dates to the 13th century when people would disguise themselves to hide their social class and engage in some debauchery.
Venice provides the most majestic backdrop for the costumes and masks that fill the city’s streets and alleyways. Venice Carnival is also famous for its luxurious masquerade balls and parties that are held during carnival. Venice Carnival runs for 20 days but it is the last two weeks when most of the festivities occur. It is a must-see event that attracts millions every year.
Find out more: Read Our Essential Guide to the Venice Carnival
Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
Where is Rio Carnival?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What is carnival in Rio?
Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the mother of all carnivals! It is a pre-Lenten celebration that is attended by over five million people making it the biggest carnival in the world. The carnival is famous for its Samba Parades that feature 20-meter floats and thousands of performers.
Besides the samba parade Rio is famous for its crazy street parties. Over five hundred street parties take place across the city of Rio during carnival, some are attended by a few hundred and some are attended by millions.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to Rio de Janeiro Carnival
The Carnival of Viareggio, Italy
Where is the carnival of Viareggio?
Viareggio, Italy.
What is carnival in Italy?
This carnival celebration held in the Tuscan city of Viareggio is one of the most renowned carnivals in both Italy and Europe. Held annually for a month before the onset of lent. Carnevale di Viareggio attracts millions of spectators who come to view its amazing parades that feature incredible floats.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to Carnival in Viareggio
New Orleans Mardi Gras, USA
Where is the New Orleans Mardi Gras?
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
What is carnival in New Orleans?
Well carnival in New Orleans goes under a different name which is Mardi Gras.
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is Latin for Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday as some call it, this is the day before Lent. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is also a pre-Lenten celebration that dates to when Louisiana was a French colony.
New Orleans Mardi Gras features numerous parades, costumed revellers and lots of merrymaking. Mardi Gras is known for the float riders throwing gifts to the crowd’s colourful plastic beads which you will see everyone wear around their neck on Mardi Gras day.
Mardi Gras is more than one day of celebration as in fact a whole carnival season that begins on the 6th January and continues to get bigger and bigger culminating in the big parades and parties on Mardi Gras day.
Find out more: Read our Guide to the Mardi Gras New Orleans
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Where is the Trinidad and Tobago held?
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
What is carnival in Trinidad and Tobago?
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a colourful, vibrant and lively celebration. It takes place the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It is without a doubt the best Caribbean carnival in the world. Numerous carnivals around the world modelled their carnival celebrations after those seen at Trinidad and Tobago including Notting Hill.
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival are famous for its colourful costumed band parades, wild rum-soaked parties and Caribbean music. Soca, Calypso and steel bands are to Trinidad Carnival what Samba is to Rio Carnival. This is the most anticipated event of the year on the island and there is a Trinidadian saying that the locals never stop thinking about carnival.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival, UK
Where is the Notting Hill Carnival held?
Notting Hill, West London, UK.
What is carnival in London?
The Notting Hill Carnival is held annually at the end of summer in the trendy west London neighbourhood of Notting Hill. The Notting Hill Carnival is officially Europe’s biggest street party with an attendance of two million people. Notting Hill was created in the sixties to celebrate and represent London’s multicultural population.
For an entire weekend the Caribbean is transported to London. Modelled after the Trinidad Carnival, Notting Hill features colourful street parades and parties, stunning colourful costumes, large sound systems pumping out the calypso, soca, reggae and dancehall tunes. There is delicious mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine, the rum flows freely and people drink and dance the day away.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to the Notting Hill Carnival
Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Where is the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival held?
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
What is carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
TheCarnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a pre-Lenten festival held in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the Canary Islands. It claims to be the second largest carnival after Rio and while this may be debatable it does attract hundreds of thousands every year. The carnival is known for its crowded 24/7 street parties that fill all the streets and squares of the city.
It also has parades, free concerts, dances, competitions and fireworks. People hit the streets wearing extravagant colourful carnival costumes. There are performances from over 100 traditional musical groups which include murgas, comparsas and rondallas. Carnival closes with setting fire to a giant sardine.
Find out more: Read our Guide to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada
Where is the Quebec Winter Carnival held?
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
What is carnival in Quebec?
The Quebec Winter Carnival is different to most because it happens smack bang in the middle of winter. It is one of the biggest carnivals in the world with over a million people attending every year. It features dog-sled racing, snow sculptures, snow baths, sleigh rides, balls, ice skating and night time winter parades.
This carnival gives the locals a reason to stop hibernating and just get outside and embrace the cold weather and drink a Caribou. A giant snowman is the mascot who lives in a five-story ice castle that gets remade every year for carnival.
Find out more: Read our essential Guide to the Quebec Winter Carnival
Oruro Carnival, Bolivia
Where is the Oruro Carnival held?
Oruro, Bolivia.
What is carnival in Bolivia?
Oruro Carnival is Bolivia’s biggest tourist attraction! This has also been recognised by UNESCO as ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’. This carnival is an indigenous celebration that is about honouring Pachamama (mother earth) and Tio Supay (the God of the underworld).
Carnival features a procession that lasts over 20 hours! Thousands of performers, dancers and musicians wearing gorgeous traditional folkloric costumes put on a massive theatrical parade. The parade tells the story of good triumphing over evil. It features the ritual La Diablada or the famous dance of the devils.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Oruro Carnival
Crop Over, Barbados
They say there are four official seasons in theCaribbean: cricket,carnival, crop overand Christmas!What is crop over?WellCrop Overis the most culturally significant festival ofBarbados. For theBajans, this 300 year old tradition hallmarked the end of the sugar cane growing season.Crop Overis a celebration ofBarbadosheritage, culture, music, dance, food and art. It is about embracing and celebrating life!
Crop Over,being the premier event of the year inBarbados, attracts over 100k people from all over the world! The sense of unity and overarching themes of freedom is what attracts people far and wide, who come to witness the signs and sounds ofBarbados in full swing! The carnival festival even has its own megastar ambassadorRihannawho joins the colourful mases celebratingcrop over.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to the Crop Over Barbados
Nice Carnival, France
Where is Nice Carnival held?
Nice, France.
What is carnival in Nice?
Nice Carnival is a pre-Lenten festival that runs for two weeks prior to Ash Wednesday. Nice Carnival is the largest carnival in France and attracts millions from all over the world.
Nice Carnival features 11 different parades with thousands of dancers and musicians. Nice Carnival is famous for its Flower Parade that sees over 100,000 flowers thrown from the floats to the crowds.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to Nice Carnival
Junkanoo, Bahamas
The Bahamas Junkanoo is held in Nassau, Bahamas. Junkanoo is an exciting four-day carnival celebration that showcases Bahamian culture and traditions.
It attracts visitors from all over the world who descend on the Bahamas to have a great time and get immersed in the Bahamian Culture.The reason it’s so revered is because Junkanoo is the ultimate celebration of everything Bahamian.
Junkanoo is the absolute heart and soul of Bahamian culture. In fact Junkanoo is the only part of Bahamian society that is uniquely Bahamian. Junkanoo in the Bahamas is all about enjoying life and embracing your heritage with dancing, music, and joy.
For Bahamian people Junkanoo is more than just a parade. The absolute essence of Junkanoo is about joy and happiness. It’s a representation of the people and their culture, music and food that makes the Bahamas such a special place.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to Junkanoo
Mazatlán Carnival, Mexico
Where is the Mazatlán Carnival?
Mazatlán, Mexico.
What is Mazatlán Carnival?
Mazatlán Carnival in Mexico claims to be the 3rd largest carnival in the world. It is a pre-Lenten carnival that occurs for the 5-days prior to lent and attracts millions from all over Mexico. An old saying is that “in Mazatlán, time is measured by Carnival” which highlights how carnival is the most anticipated event of the year in Mazatlán.
There is no other carnival in the world that celebrates like Mazatlán. Their carnival celebrations are incredibly unique. The carnival is famous for featuring an abundance of brass bands that line the Mazatlán oceanfront boardwalk. The carnival also features lots of colourful parades and an incredible firework display.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Mazatlán Carnival
Salvador Carnival, Brazil
Where is carnival in Salvador?
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
What is carnival in Salvador?
Salvador Carnival is the second biggest carnival in Brazil. It is different from the Rio Carnival because there are no samba parades. Instead Salvador Carnival is all about the blocos. Salvador Carnival is officially in the Guinness Book of Record for officially being the world’s largest party. Over 2 million people flock to Salvador de Bahia for one week of partying.
Salvador de Bahia is also the heart of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian community. Nowhere else in the world has the African culture brought over by the slaves, been as preserved as it has been in Salvador. Afro-Brazilian music, food, dance, religion and martial arts traditions are still alive and well.
Often people call Salvador Carnival the “real carnival.” The reason people say this is because Salvador de Bahia’s large Afro-Brazilian community with their strong roots to African culture and traditions, gives Salvador Carnival a more authentic African flavour. Afro-Brazilian music, dance and folklore are on display during carnival.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Salvador Carnival
Fasnacht in Basel, Switzerland
Where is Basel Fasnacht held?
Basel, Switzerland.
What is carnival in Switzerland?
Carnival in Switzerland is known as Fasnacht which is celebrated all over the country. However, the largest and most popular celebration occurs in the city of Basel. Basel Fasnacht has been recognised by UNESCO as being a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’.
This carnival lasts exactly 72 hours in what the locals call the three best days of the year. Basel Fasnacht will transport you to another world. It features many traditions and customs that are centuries old. You will hear traditional music, see 20,000 traditional folkloric masked costumers parading around the town. There is also a beautiful lantern festival that lights up the city streets.
Find out more: Read our essential Guide to the Basel Fasnacht
Barranquilla Carnival, Colombia
Where is the Barranquilla Carnival held?
Barranquilla, Colombia.
What is carnival in Colombia?
While not too many people have heard of Barranquilla Carnival it is in fact Colombia’s most important carnival celebration. It is also one of the largest carnivals in the world, attended by millions.
It is a pre-Lenten carnival that runs for four days prior to Ash Wednesday, considered a must-see event. Carnival features amazing costumed parades, street parties and a mix of Caribbean and Latin music.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Barranquilla Carnival
Mazatlán Carnival, Mexico
Where is the Mazatlán Carnival?
Mazatlán, Mexico.
What is Mazatlán Carnival?
Mazatlán Carnival in Mexico claims to be the 3rd largest carnival in the world. It is a pre-Lenten carnival that occurs for the 5-days prior to lent and attracts millions from all over Mexico. An old saying is that “in Mazatlán, time is measured by Carnival” which highlights how carnival is the most anticipated event of the year in Mazatlán.
There is no other carnival in the world that celebrates like Mazatlán. Their carnival celebrations are incredibly unique. The carnival is famous for featuring an abundance of brass bands that line the Mazatlán oceanfront boardwalk. The carnival also features lots of colourful parades and an incredible firework display.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Mazatlán Carnival
Salvador Carnival, Brazil
Where is carnival in Salvador?
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
What is carnival in Salvador?
Salvador Carnival is the second biggest carnival in Brazil. It is different from the Rio Carnival because there are no samba parades. Instead Salvador Carnival is all about the blocos. Salvador Carnival is officially in the Guinness Book of Record for officially being the world’s largest party. Over 2 million people flock to Salvador de Bahia for one week of partying.
Salvador de Bahia is also the heart of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian community. Nowhere else in the world has the African culture brought over by the slaves, been as preserved as it has been in Salvador. Afro-Brazilian music, food, dance, religion and martial arts traditions are still alive and well.
Often people call Salvador Carnival the “real carnival.” The reason people say this is because Salvador de Bahia’s large Afro-Brazilian community with their strong roots to African culture and traditions, gives Salvador Carnival a more authentic African flavour. Afro-Brazilian music, dance and folklore are on display during carnival.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Salvador Carnival
Rijeka Carnival, Croatia
Where is Rijeka Carnival held?
Rijeka, Croatia.
What is carnival in Croatia?
Rijeka Carnival is Croatia’s biggest carnival. Carnival season here runs for about a month filled with lots of parades, parties andmusic concerts. The carnival culminates in a Grand Parade that occurs on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday. The Grand Parade usually attracts around 100,000 spectators and is a colourful and lively procession.
It is the biggest carnival celebration in Croatia, and for centuries, carnival in Rijeka was famous for throughout Europe more than any other Croatian City, and its celebrations were attended by royalty and socialites from all over Europe including Russian Royalty, Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats and numerous earls and countesses.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Rijeka Carnival
Ivrea Carnival, Italy
Where is Ivrea Carnival?
Ivrea, Italy.
What is carnival in Ivrea?
Ivrea Carnival is also known as the Battle of the Oranges. This is Italy’s biggest food fight that sees the town people divide into nine teams consisting of 4000 people. For three days these participants throw 500,000 kilos of oranges at each other, as hard as one possible can.
The Ivrea Carnival re-enacts the towns freedom from an evil tyrant who was murdered back in the 12th century. Around 100,000 tourists come to celebrate carnival in this medieval town. Carnival occurs for the three days prior to Ash Wednesday.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to the Ivrea Carnival
Recife and Olinda, Brazil
Where is carnival in Recife and Olinda held?
Recife and Olinda, Brazil.
What is carnival in Brazil?
While Recife and Olinda are two separate carnivals in Brazil, they are often lumped together because the two towns only sit 7kms away from each other. Most people will switch back and forward between the two carnivals.
These two carnivals combined become the third largest in Brazil attracting millions. It is said to be one of the most authentic Brazilian carnivals because they feature many folkloric traditions that were influenced from the Native Brazilian Indians. Recife is also famous for hosting the largest carnival parade in the world, with over 2 million participants joining in.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Recife and Olinda Carnival
Berlin Carnival of Cultures, Germany
Where is the Berlin Carnival of Cultures?
Berlin, German.
What is carnival in Berlin?
Carnival of Cultures held every summer in Berlin, Germany is all about celebrating diversity and unity. It originally started to protest xenophobia in 1996 and continued to grow every year. Today around one million people come out to celebrate.
Carnival of Cultures features thousands of participants from all over the world showing off their cultures in a huge procession. There are also over 100 live music shows from DJs, bands and artists. There is also many street vendors and market stalls selling delicious food, arts and crafts.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Berlin Carnival of Cultures
Sydney Mardi Gras
Where is the Sydney Mardi Gras held?
Sydney, Australia
What is carnival in Australia?
Set in beautifulSydney,theSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Grasis the biggestLGBTQI celebrationin the world.The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Grasis an annualcelebration of lovethat knows no bounds, anLGBTQIrights protest and celebration of sexuality.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a fabulous LGBTQIA+ celebration that spans 17 days.The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Grashas 500,000 people from all over the world, flocking to be part of this glittering celebration that bringsSydneyto a standstill every year.Mardi Grasis a big tourist draw forSydneycontributing millions to the local economy.
Find out more: Read our Essential Guide to the Sydney Mardi Gras
Sitges Carnival, Spain
Where is the Sitges Carnival held?
Sitges, Spain.
What is carnival in Spain?
The Sitges Carnival is one of the biggest carnivals in Europe with more than 300,000 people visiting every year. It is known for its wild street parties as well as being one of the most gay friendly carnivals in the world.
Sitges Carnival is the last change before the onset of Lent to give in to all temptations, you can let your hair down, dress up and get your freak on. Sitges truly is one of the most perfect places to get wild, gluttonous and join the party.
Sitges is famous for its tolerance so everyone is welcome to join the party. Four days prior to the official Sitges Carnival Celebrations there is even a Gay Pride Parade where the streets are filled with colour, music and dance.
Find out more: Read our essential guide to the Sitges Carnival
