Famous Carnivals

There are many different carnivals to be enjoyed around the world. Here you are some of them. 

The Carnival of Venice 

 The Carnival of Venice, in Italy is a festival that celebrates the transition from winter to spring and the mix of traditions, entertainment, and history throughout the Venetian city. As one of the most internationally popular carnivals, it is also one of the oldest, dating back into the 14th century. In the beginning, the people of the city would wear masks to disguise themselves. This way there would be no social status shown between the upper class and the common people. By wearing masks everyone could take part in the celebration as equals. These masks are now known as the Venetian Masks and draw much attention. They require so much detail and time to make them so unique and beautiful that they are taken very seriously as a part of the celebration.

Carnival of Rio de Janeiro
Carnival of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is a four day celebration held the four days before Ash Wednesday. The Samba Parade has been thought of as one of the most beautiful shows on earth.

Mardi Gras 

Brought to the United States by the French, Margi Gras dates back to the 1830’s and takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. It has become one of the most popular celebrations of the United States.

The carnival in New Orleans is especially known for its parties, amazing parade, beautiful floats, wonderful food, drinks, and the wearing of colorful beads. There are a few traditions associated with Mardi Gras and these include the making and eating of King Cakes, and acquiring doubloons and beads as souvenirs. The three reoccurring colours seen throughout the Mardi Gras celebration are Purple(representing Justice), Gold (representing Power) and Green (representing Faith).

The Nice Carnival, France

The Nice Carnival is one of the major carnival events, alongside the Brazilian and Venetian Carnivals. At the time of carnival Nice erupts into a citywide party, with parades in the daytime and evening and a large bonfire and fireworks on Mardi Gras itself. Flower processions, floats, and parties make Nice the place to be for carnival in France. Each year since the 1873 carnival Nice France has had a “committee for the parties,” to organize more spectacular floats, more grotesque and fabulous costumes, and a more stunning celebratory atmosphere.

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, Spain

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the most “Brazilian” of all the Spanish carnivals, and it is famous all over the world for its popular flavour. For fifteen days, the streets of the city come alive with joy, freedom and extravagance.

Cádiz Carnival
The Cadiz carnival is known throughout the world as a huge street party. The whole city participates in the carnival for eleven days of non-stop fun and originality each year. The most famous groups are the chirigotas. The chirigotas are well-known witty and satiric groups that train for the whole year to sing about politics, topics in the news, and everyday circumstances, while all of the members wear identical costumes. Each chirigota – whether a professional group or one made up of family members, friends or colleagues – has a wide repertoire of songs. They sing in the streets and squares, at improvised venues like outdoor staircases or portals, and in established open-air tablaos organized by the carnival clubs.

Carnival of Xinzo de Limia (Ourense-Spain)

It is the longest carnival celebrated in Spain. The celebration begins three Sundays before the actual carnival, on "Fareleiro Sunday", a comic battle in which the people in the streets get covered in flour. This is followed by "Oleiro Sunday", a tradition which involves throwing water to the air  from earthenware pots over the people gathered below, until someone falls to the ground and is consequently soaked. Next "Corredoiro Sunday", a popular festivity in which the "comparsas" begin to invade the streets of the town, which marks the threshold of Entroido. Of interest are the "pantallas", characters armed with "vejigas" and wearing curious masks. The great parade is on Carnival Tuesday. Xinzo de Limia (Ourense-Galicia-Spain)