The 9 Best Carnival Celebrations around the World

Carnival is a major tradition celebrated all over the world. Usually, this celebration takes place just before Lent, encompassing various days of Christian celebration. Celebrations are characterized by extravagant dressing up, street parades and parties, and lots of food and drink taken over the course of a few days. Like Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day (in fact, Carnival encompasses Shrove Tuesday), this is seen as an opportunity to enjoy luxuries and celebrate before the beginning of the fasting period of Lent. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best Carnival celebrations around the world, so strap in and get ready to party!

What is the History of Carnival?

While Carnival is now widely associated with Christianity, it has formed a part of humanity’s folklore for centuries. Various traditions and cultures celebrated life, renewal, and indulgence before times of restraint—similar to Carnival.

In ancient Greece, there was a celebration dedicated to Momo, the witty and cheerful god of poets and writers, whose playful mockery embodied the spirit of joy and humor now central to Carnival. The Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a spirited festival dedicated to Dionysius, the god of wine and revelry. The Sumerians hosted grand, excessive feasts during this season to expel evil spirits from their crops. Finally, in ancient Egypt, these days were devoted to Apis, the god of fertility and a symbol of abundance and vitality. In each of these traditions, celebrations are tied with the changing of the seasons and renewal, marking a time of transition, excess, and joy.

1. Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, has its roots in 17th and 18th-century European traditions within the House of Bourbon. Carnival used to be a party for the privileged few, but today it’s a merry-go-round of people of all ages who take to the streets in increasing numbers. As for the outfits, anything goes! Don’t be shy when it comes to sporting the most obscure and peculiar Carnival costume. You’ll also need to take a backpack to carry everything, including the beads and cups that are thrown from the extravagantly decorated floats passing by in the New Orleans parade.

If you’re visiting New Orleans and your trip doesn’t coincide with Canrival (or even if it does), you can still experience the spirit of the festivities and learn about its history with a ticket to Mardi Gras World!

2. Venice Carnevale (Italy)

Another one of the most popular festivals Venice’s Carnival is said to have originated in the 12th century. In nearly 900 years, the festivities of the Venice Carnival have evolved quite a bit, but the tradition of wearing masks remains a central component and has become part of other Carnival celebrations all around the world. If you’re lucky enough to visit Venice during Carnival season, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of masks, such as the Bauta, the Colombina, or the Medico della Peste (plague doctor). All year round (even outside of Carnival season), you can learn to make Venice’s traditional masks at this Venetian mask workshop. You can also always learn about the history of the city’s Carnival celebration on this Venetian Carnival tour,

If you’re visiting during Carnival itself—lucky you! Don’t miss this Venetian Galleon Carnival party, a complete Carnival experience, sailing along the canals of Venice, with food, drinks, and festivities included.

3. Tenerife Carnaval (Canary Islands, Spain)

Tenerife hosts numerous festivals all year round, but none of them come close to its famous Carnival celebration, which is actually considered the second most popular Carnival party in the world after Rio de Janeiro. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival has filled the streets with explosions of joy and showers of color for hundreds of years. The city becomes one big, rainbow party for 15 days of pure extravagance, including a gala party to choose the Carnival queen, costumes, marches, and bohemian parades. In a break from partying while you’re in Tenerife, make sure to try the local Canarian food!

• Check out the top 20 things to do in Tenerife.

4. Cologne Karneval (Germany)

Cologne’s Carnival season is often referred to as the ‘fifth season’, and kicks off in February, earlier than most Carnival celebrations. The party begins with the Women’s Carnaval, a day when locals wear colorful party clothes to work, followed by masquerade balls and festivities in the evening that last well into the night.

The weekend is when the Carnival truly comes alive, culminating in the highlight of the celebration: the Rose Monday Parade, or Carnival Monday. This vibrant procession winds through Südstadt, the southern district of Cologne, featuring imaginative floats crafted from playful items like chocolate boxes and candy. It’s a spectacle that never fails to delight the crowds and embody the joyous spirit of the festival.

• Tours & Activities in Cologne.

5. Rio de Janeiro Carnaval (Brazil)

The most famous Carnival celebration in the world (and perhaps the most famous party on the planet) dates back to 1723 and attracts over two million people on each day of the festivities. More than 200 blocos, or groups of performers, take to the streets of Rio during the day, and the festivities last well into the night, and even into the following morning and day. To experience the legendary celebrations for yourself, go on this Rio Carnival Parade experience with Civitatis, and visit the Sambódromo—a purpose-built arena for the city’s carnival celebration.

In Rio, you can immerse yourself in the magic of Carnival year-round by attending a samba school rehearsal or by enjoying a backstage Carnival tour, during which you’ll see how the carnival’s elaborate costumes and floats are produced. These experiences unveil the secrets and artistry behind Brazil’s legendary celebration.

6. Oruro Carnaval (Bolivia)

What was once an indigenous celebration is now a festivity with a strong connection to religious symbolism in the form of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Uncle Supay (God of the underworld). These two icons guide the festival, which features the ritual known as the “dance of the demons”, La Diablada, which represents the triumph of good over evil.

With thematic parades depicting the characters from a wide variety of folk myths and legends, Oruro’s Carnival celebration is one that definitely manages to turn normality on its head! This town is known as the Folklore Capital of Bolivia, with multiple festivals that are central to the city’s rich culture. While visiting the city, we recommend visiting the National Anthropological Museum to learn about the ins and outs of this ancient festival.

7. Binche Carnaval (Belgium)

In 2003, UNESCO proclaimed Binche’s carnival celebration a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,’—a testament to its unique character. It’s true that Belgium hosts several different Carnival celebrations during the same period, but the celebratino in Binche stands out for its remarkable performers (known as Gilles), and unique cultural events, one of which involves throwing oranges into the air for good luck.

There is disagreement about the origin of this carnival celebration. One of the most popular theories says that one of the 14th-century Gilles was of Inca descent and wore a costume whose exotic appearance gained popularity among the locals. This might explain the huge feathered hats worn by today’s Gilles…

8. Nice Carnaval (France)

With six carnival parades, 17 floats, and thousands of dancers and musicians from all over the world – the Nice Carnival celebration is a lively and vibrant festival full of tradition. No wonder it’s considered one of the best in Europe! Be sure to see the Flower Battle (Bataille de Fleurs) while you’re there! This elegant parade brings countless flower-covered caravans through the streets, an enchanting sight for onlookers. They say that those who catch the bouquets will have a lucky year!

• Tours & Experiences in Nice.

9. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

On the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago has been host to one of the most colorful and exuberant celebrations of Carnival on the planet since the 1780s. The country’s celebration is a reflection of its staggering cultural diversity, with Latin, North American, Asian, Indigenous, European, and Arab influences all playing a role in creating a truly unique Carnival.

Carnival was brought to Trinidad and Tobago by French settlers from Martinique and gradually built upon by African slaves the other elements which make up the country’s population. Celebrations are heavily associated with calpyso music, a style of music that was created by enslaved people from West and Central Africa.

• Check out tours & experiences in Trinidad and Tobago.

There you have it! Those are our top picks for the best Carnival celebrations around the world. If you want to experience Carnival, check out tours & experiences with Civitatis in the city you’re visiting! Happy Carnival!