Carnival is one of the most popular event in the world. It’s a multi-million dollar industry that involves each sector, from all walks of life. With elaborate costumes, music and masks, people are allowed to set aside their everyday individuality.

The origin of Carnival

The origin of Carnival is still a debatable affair. However, it seems a Christian affair celebrated mainly in countries with large Catholic populations. The name “carnival” seems to derive from the Italian word “carne“, which explains its Christian/Catholic origin. In Italian, “carne levare” means “to remove meat“, while in Latin “carne vale” means “farewell to meat“.

In ancient times long before the emergence of Christianity, people whom we call pagans today, had wild celebrations around the winter and spring solstices, and spring and fall equinoxes. These wild celebrations were the ones that people were reluctant to give up, even after they became Christians. Carnival was essentially seen as a spiritual passage from dark to light, winter to summer.

Carnival on the Christian calendar involved the whole community, and was a giant celebration in which rich food and drink were consumed. As well as a time to indulge sexual desires, all of which were supposed to be suppressed during the following period of fasting. During Lent, no parties or celebrations were held, and people refrained from eating meat, dairy, fat, and sugar. Most of these foods were unavailable anyway, during this period because of winter shortages.

Today’s Carnival celebrations

Carnival continued to evolve and became a manifestation of European folk culture. Some of the best-known carnival traditions, including carnival parades and masquerade balls, were first recorded in medieval Italy.

Nowadays, Carnival is an annual festival, that typically occurs before the onset of Lent and generally involves a public celebration of some kind. These public celebrations include street parties, parades, balls or some other form of entertainment.

Let’s discover the best Carnival celebrations around the world

Brazil - “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

The Rio Carnival starts on Friday until Tuesday or just a day shy of Ash Wednesday. If you want to understand the question what is Carnival, head off to the Sambodromo particularly on Carnival Sunday and Monday to experience first-hand, why this annual tradition is visited by millions of people, from all parts of the world.

At the heart of the Carnival is the samba, which is the perfect illustration of the Afro-European blend, that defines Brazil culture. The top samba schools get the honor of performing in front of millions at the Sambodromo . It’s obvious by watching the performances at the Sambodromo, the amount of preparation that goes into each dance step, the choice of song and the selection of dancers to represent each school.

The exotic nature and sensuality of the samba is enhanced by the flashy costumes of the participants. But these costumes are not chosen because of aesthetics, but rather form part of the story. While the spectators only see the different pigments and designs of the costumes, the significance of each garb is not lost on the judges. That’s why the samba schools give particular attention to the type of costume they will display. The preparation and decision-making process take months. Tracing the Carnival’s origins to the European masquerades, the visitors are also encouraged to bring their own costumes to feel the spirit of Carnival.

It is only during the Carnival where every inch of Brazil, and Rio in particular, screams party.

The partying starts a day before the formal launch of the Carnival, until a day after the festivity formally ends. If you can manage to secure a ticket for the glamorous parties, such as the Magic Ball in Copacabana Palace Hotel, don’t be surprised that you will be rubbing elbows with celebrities, and the wealthy community of Brazil.

The most sought-after Best Street Parties are those organized by Simpatia é Quase, which is wholesome enough that you won’t be afraid to take along your kids. For the more risqué crowd, there’s the Blocos and Bandas de Ipanema neighborhood, which still remains the preferred bands for gays. The beauty of these bands is that they compose their own songs, and choreograph their own movements; that means no two parties are the same.

These parties start three months before the official kickoff of the festival. Aside from the more formal balls hosted by hotels and top establishments, there are also street parties which feature the who’s who in Rio politics, entertainment and business industries.

Canary Islands - “Santa Cruz de Tenerife”

The sister city of Rio de Janeiro has their own world famous carnival celebrations and consists of two distinct parts: The Official Carnival and The Street Carnival. The Official Carnival is made up of more than a hundred designated groups each composed of, on average, fifty parts. There can be strange bands clothed in fancy dress, troupes of dancers, actors and singers, street musicians, stringed ensembles and other musical groups. In total more than 5,000 people flood the streets in a spectacle of light, sound and colour. Alternatively, The Street Carnival – declared a ‘Fiesta of International Tourist Interest’ by the Spanish Ministry of Tourism in 1980 – is open entry: anyone can dress up, dance and participate.

The carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the largest event of this kind of happening in the Canary Islands, and in Spain as well. It is considered one of the best carnival by many, with a great atmosphere and friendly street parties. For fifteen days, the streets of the city come alive with joie de vivre, freedom and extravagance.

Traditionally, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is celebrated between the months of February and March, depending on the celebration of Holy Week and Ash Wednesday, the day on which, during Carnival, the Burial of the Sardine is celebrated.

Although the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has almost certainly been celebrated since the first European settlements, the first written references date back to the end of the 18th century.

During the dictatorships of Miguel Primo de Rivera and General Franco, the Carnival was renamed “Fiestas de Invierno” (Winter Festivities ) in order to avoid its prohibition. Thus, in 1954, first as Los Bigotudos and later as the Afilarmónica Nifú-Nifá, the first murga was born. In addition, since 1962, a poster is made every year for each edition.

In 1976, at the end of the Franco period, the denomination of “Fiestas de Invierno” ends and the “Carnival” returns, although only in name, the festival had always been present.

In 2000, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife became the World Carnival Capital and the venue for the XX Convention of the Federation of European Carnival Cities.

One of the mainstays of today’s Carnival celebration is the Gala for the election of the Carnival Queen. The candidates who aspire to be elected wear impressive handmade costumes, that have been months in the making. These magnificent costumes are spectacular works of art that, in addition to fabrics, carry all kinds of materials which are placed on a large iron structure: plastic, cardboard, aluminum, sequins, acrylic stones. These costumes can weigh between 400 and 500 kilos, which is why they are equipped with wheels.

Murgas are groups that compose songs whose lyrics are generally based on social and political criticism, from a comic or humorous perspective. The Adult Murgas Contest is another of the great pillars of the Carnival, in which the different groups demonstrate their talent and the best are awarded.

And it is not only the murgas that put music to the Carnival, but also the comparsas. These are groups of musicians, singers and dancers similar to the samba schools of the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. Tenerife’s first comparsa was Los Rumberos, created in the 1960s by Manuel Monzón. Today, the numerous comparsas of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival have their own style and are fully integrated into the festival.

New Orleans - “Mardi Gras”

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a one to a three-month stretch of the year in which the streets come alive with music, art, and costumed revelers. Beginning on Twelfth Night, January 6, the best season of the year is upon us: king cake, bead-tossing, and parading begins and only increases as we make our way toward Mardi Gras Day. This year the season is a long one, with Mardi Gras Day on 21 February 2023.

There’s so much to celebrate during Carnival season, where locals rule and visitors are more than welcome to join in on the fun. On the weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday, parades roll all over town. Spectators gasp at the colossal Endymion floats and delight in the political satire of Krewe du Vieux.

There’s something to do during every week of the Mardi Gras season. Whether it’s new traditions like Krewe of Chewbacchus (with its Star Wars-inspired tomfoolery) or decades-old stalwarts Zulu and Rex (which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year), visitors are encouraged to explore all Mardi Gras traditions. Try ten different slices of king cake, stand in awe of community walking krewes, and make new friendships with your neighbors on the route. This is the place to have the authentic Mardi Gras experience.

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons. From here, the traditional revelry of “Boeuf Gras,” or fatted calf, followed France to her colonies.

Mardi Gras balls began in the 1700s and still exist today. At the Twelfth Night ball, a king cake was cut, and whoever found the bean (a precursor to today’s baby) inside would host the next ball. This would continue until Mardi Gras evening. Numerous balls still exist today, although they are often affiliated with various parades, organizations, or krewes.

Krewes historically represent the members of various organizations that celebrate the season through parades and/or balls. Each krewe has their own history and traditions. Some are men only, some are women only, and some are open to all! They often have a captain who leads the organization, which is a big honor. Krewes often have courts which are made up of a king, queen, maids, and dukes. The court usually changes each year. They are chartered as non-profit entities and financed by dues and fundraising. Krewe parade themes usually change each year and are inspired by history, stories, legends, the news, mythology, entertainment, and beyond. Some of the most popular parades are known for their satire and political comedy.

When you hear people talk about throws, they’re referring to anything that is thrown from float-riders or krewe members during a parade. Throws include beads, toys, cups, and doubloons. Doubloons are colorful aluminum coins stamped with the parading organization’s name or theme. The throws of each parade often reflect the theme or the krewe’s symbols.

The most historic parades include Proteus on Lundi Gras (20 February), and Rex and Zulu on Fat Tuesday. The largest parades are Endymion on the Saturday before Mardi Gras and Bacchus on the Sunday before Mardi Gras. Other fan favorites include Muses (an all-female krewe) on the Thursday before and Tucks, which rolls during the day on the Saturday before.

Italy - “Carnevale di Venezia”

The origin of this Carnival is extremely different from its modern reality. The Venice Carnival began in 1162 in celebration of the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy: the Patriarch or Aquileia. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice. As time went on, the Carnival was celebrated for its own sake and most revellers probably had no idea how it began. It was simply an excuse to have a lot of fun!

The Venice Carnival carried on for several centuries until it was outlawed in 1797 while Venice was under the rule of Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor. Venetians’ use of masks to conceal their identities was also banned at the time. Occasionally, during the 19th century, the festival came back for brief periods, but it was always practiced privately, lacking the huge public displays and festivities it’s known for today!

Jumping ahead to 1979, the Italian government decided to help Venice reconnect with its festival heritage in order to rejuvenate the culture and economy of Venice. The city’s tourism industry also saw a marked surge of interest. Needless to say, this was a very good idea and the Venice Carnival has grown and grown over the years into one of the world’s biggest and most popular celebrations.

The Carnival of Venice is very different to carnivals which take place in Spain or in Brazil. The celebration takes place over ten days in which people dress up and take part in organized parades or simple processions on the street. The costumes are seventeenth-century Venetian dresses, very much as if they were from a painting by Canaletto. Numerous events and balls are organized. Some of which are private and thus, difficult to access, unless you know someone who can invite you. If the parties aren’t private, then they are expensive and tickets will cost you hundreds or dollars.

The magic of Carnival gives Venice an enchanted atmosphere. Masked people fill the streets with smiles and laughter, and several events are organized all around the city. The Carnival usually lasts a couple of weeks, but the most important days are those between the last Thursday and the very last day, Tuesday. These are called giovedì grasso and martedì grasso, literally ‘fat Thursday’ and ‘fat Tuesday,’ in opposition to the following Ash Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent, a period traditionally dedicated to fast. However, the weekends are usually the privileged time for tourists and visitors.

Caribbean - Trinidad & Tobago Carnival

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is said by some to be the greatest street parade in the world! Although the people of Rio de Janeiro may argue with that statement it is certainly the biggest and best of all the Caribbean carnivals. Thousands of people around the world head to Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city, the Port of Spain to celebrate carnival every year.

There are smaller carnival celebrations which occur in Chaguanas, Mayaro, Tobago, Arima and San Fernando but all the biggest and best carnival celebrations are in the Port of Spain, and nearby towns. The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival kicks off early Monday morning before sunrise, or late Sunday night if you didn’t go to bed, with J’Ouvert which is a sunrise parade.

Monday and Tuesday of carnival are just two days of craziness. Trinidadians are party animals and will spend carnival drinking, dancing and socializing all day and all night long. The carnival is famous for being a sunny rum soaked celebration. The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is full of vibrant colorful parades and costumes which is the highlight of carnival. It is also known for showcasing its different styles of Caribbean music like soca and steelpan bands. There are also plenty of pre and post carnival events and parties.

There is a Trinidadian saying that goes “Trinidadians never stop thinking about carnival!” Carnival is the most anticipated event of the year. Preparation for Carnival begins as soon as New Year is over. For the designers and dancers, they spend the whole year planning and creating.

The origins of Trinidad and Tobago started in the 18th century by the French who had colonized the country. The French brought their cultural traditions and language to the island and one of the traditions were private parties and masquerade balls called fetes.

The African slaves were forbidden from attending these celebrations so instead they held their own parties which were called canboulay. During their canboulay celebrations the slaves used to mock the behavior and outfits of their masters which led to the creation of the ‘Mas’.

Canboulay played an important role in the development of the music of Trinidad and Tobago. Calypso music was created by the African slaves who used calypso to not only communicate with one another but to also mock their slave masters.

Steelpan came about when African percussion music was banned in 1881 following the Canboulay Riots. Instead, they used frying pans, dustbin lids and oil drums as their percussion instruments. These steel pans bands are still to this day a huge part of the Trinidadian music scene.

Germany - Cologne Carnival “Kölle Alaaf!”

Collaborate with high spirited Germans as together they celebrate their Cultural Street Carnival. Watch and join in as they parade, march, dance their way around the city of Cologne and drink lots of beer. The “Crazy Days” are the highlight of the carnival season in, six days you will get to know as an endless timetable of traditional music and dancing sessions, balls and parades held across the city streets.

People sing carnival songs and dance in the halls, pubs and restaurants and are generally positive and celebratory in nature at this time of year. Strict rules and regulations go by the wayside as Germans go a bit bonkers over their own carnival celebration. Germans are very proud of this carnival, which they describe as both serious because of its traditions, but also humorous as it shows the world that we as humans can be unusual if we want to be.

According to its long-held traditions, Cologne’s carnival leads by the exaggerated dressed up fictional characters of a prince, a peasant and a fair maiden. These are everyday people from various backgrounds dressed up, and it’s an honor to be chosen to lead the celebrations. They have official duties, are treated like celebrities, and have over 400 appearances across the entire carnival. They are not allowed to work during these times, but to advocate solely for the carnival.

Known as ‘the fifth season’ of the year, this fun carnival always begins at 11.11 am. All kinds of official rules go out the window as closing times for pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.

The Netherlands - “Carnaval”

If there is one thing the Dutch love to do, it’s getting together, partying with friends and drinking a large amount of beer. Similar to Germany, the Dutch Carnival is one massive excuse to make this all happen for a week of straight fun. Prepare yourself and you too can get in on the action.

Carnival in the Netherlands is called Carnaval and its traditionally celebrated in the Catholic region of the Netherlands in the South around the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg. During the Dutch carnival, each major city in the Netherlands will adopt a “Prince Carnaval”. This means that the current mayor of each participating carnaval city will hand over the key to the city to the new mayor, the prince of carnaval for the duration of the carnival period.

Another popular Dutch Carnival tradition is carnaval floats. Each city will have a group of friends that form a Carnival club to create floats to be used at the Carnival parades. They often wear the same shirt and scarf and have worked on the float throughout the year.

It’s a lot of work and a great honor to host a float in a city parade. As the Dutch say “Work hard, play hard” and they are the definition of that. The floats themselves are wonderful to watch throughout the carnival period as a lot of effort is put into creating the best float to win the Carnaval parade. They can get very large, creative and competitive, worth checking out for sure.

Brass bands around Brabant often form groups and perform and go around bars in the city during carnival too, you can spot them as they often wear the same costume and perform traditional old Dutch classics, great fun to watch.

Basel, Switzerland - “Fasnacht”

The Swiss do many things differently and their Carnival is no exception. Their festivities begin later than the rest of Europe which has to do with religion. “Fasnacht” is held on the first Monday after Ash Wednesday. It’s a mixture of joie de vivre and melancholy, disguises, death and century-old traditions.

The main difference is that there’s a strict separation of spectators and performers. And there’s also no Prince and Princess of Carnival.

The most important and impressive event is the “Morgestraich”: On Monday at 04.00 am on the dot, the entire city is plunged into darkness, including the street illumination. Then, out of the darkness you hear the sound of drums and pipes. Illuminated, giant lanterns come into view and the long line of people walk in their traditional costumes and masks.

After that, many restaurants are filled with people, spectators and participants to drink and warm up with mulled wine.

London UK - Notting Hill Street Festival

August 27, 2023

Join London’s biggest street party, as the streets of west London are filled with Caribbean colours, music and flavours during Notting Hill Carnival. Watch elaborate floats and costumed performers wind their way through the streets in the carnival parade, dance to the sound of steel bands and calypso music, and visit the tempting food stalls along the route.

Notting Hill Carnival was first held in 1966. It celebrates the rich history of Caribbean culture in London. The first Notting Hill Carnival attracted around 500 people. The carnival has since grown to become the largest street festival in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands to London. You can usually expect to see some 50,000 performers in the parade and more than 30 sound systems, with more than one million people attending over the weekend.

Notting Hill Carnival takes place on the last weekend of August, on the streets of London W10 and W11, around Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park and Kensal Road.

With many Carnival celebrations around the world, you will definitely find one that suits your taste. It’s best to make your reservations early to get the best deals from hotels, airlines and tickets. Even months before the festivities kick off in February 2023. So check your agenda, plan your visit and don’t miss anything of these vibrant, fun and amazing experiences!