Madigan Talmage-Bowers is a writer based in Denver, Colorado. She has also lived in Italy, San Francisco, and New York City, where she studied media theory at the New School. She loves introducing her kids to ancient history, local art, hiking trails, and new foods on adventures around the globe.
Madigan Talmage-Bowers is a writer based in Denver, Colorado. She has also lived in Italy, San Francisco, and New York City, where she studied media theory at the New School. She loves introducing her kids to ancient history, local art, hiking trails, and new foods on adventures around the globe.
Hi, I'm Madigan!Madigan Talmage-Bowers is a writer based in Denver, Colorado. She has also lived in Italy, San Francisco, and New York City, where she studied media theory at the New School. She loves introducing her kids to ancient history, local art, hiking trails, and new foods on adventures around the globe.
Hi, I'm Madigan!Madigan Talmage-Bowers is a writer based in Denver, Colorado. She has also lived in Italy, San Francisco, and New York City, where she studied media theory at the New School. She loves introducing her kids to ancient history, local art, hiking trails, and new foods on adventures around the globe.
Elaborate costumes, loud music, over-the-top parades, and nonstop parties—Carnival is all about excess, as revelers indulge before a period of fasting and restraint during Lent. With roots in ancient pagan traditions that heralded the end of winter, today, Carnival is tied to the Christian calendar and marks the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. Here are six of the wildest, loudest, and most unforgettable Carnival celebrations around the globe.
The most famous Carnival in North America goes by the French “Mardi Gras”, paying homage to Louisiana’s history. New Orleans’ epic party season also lasts longer than most, with an intense 2-week period of parades and parties before the start of Lent. Visitors from around the globe flock into town to pack the bars of the historic French Quarter and watch rollicking parades put on by Krewes, nonprofit social clubs that build elaborate floats and host costumed balls.
When does Mardi Gras take place? The biggest celebrations are on Shrove Tuesday each year, with festivities across the city for the preceeding 14 days.
Insider tip: In any season, learn about New Orleans’ fascinating multicultural history on a city sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus tour or get into the Mardi Gras spirit on a cocktail tour of the French Quarter.
Related: See why New Orlean's is one of the most haunted spots in the world.
The biggest and brightest carnival in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s celebration features two days of wild, rum-soaked revelry. The party kicks off with a sunrise street party known as “J’ouvert” and doesn't stop until Shrove Tuesday. The island nation’s Carnival parades are replicated around the world and feature color-coordinated “Mas bands” in feathered and bejeweled costumes dancing to the beat of calypso music. When the sun goes down (and comes back up again), the fun goes on at Carnival fetes that range from casual beach parties and breakfast bashes to elaborate invite-only affairs.
When does the Port of Spain Carnival take place? The 7 days, up to and including Shrove Tuesday each year.
Insider tip: Get a local introduction with an excursion around the Port of Spain, such as a guided driving tour or sample the best of Trinidadian cuisine at visit-worth night markets.
Nowadays, Carnival is near-synonymous with Rio de Janeiro’s outlandish celebration. A lifetime bucket-list event for many of the 5 million people who attend each year, this is the party to end all parties. Colorful, noisy, and joyous, samba parades are the highlight of the multi-day event, during which crowds pack into the specially built Sambadrome to watch a procession of giant floats and elaborately costumed dancers strut their stuff in celebration of Brazilian music and culture. Beyond the samba line, hundreds of Carnival balls and street parties (known as blocos) take place throughout Rio de Janeiro, each with its own unique flavor and dress code.
When does the Rio Carnival take place? The 5 days, up to and including Shrove Tuesday each year.
Insider tip: Advance tickets to the nightly parades are strongly encouraged, and Rio de Janeiro carnival and transfer packages can help you navigate the dense crowds.
Celebrated on [the largest of the Canary Islands](Canary Islands), this massive carnival combines sunny island vibes with Spanish traditions and music for a wild, multicultural ride. The party officially starts with a high-glam gala to elect the year’s carnival queens and continues with an opening parade featuring festooned dancers and musical groups known as murgas and rondallas. Colorful street parties keep the celebration going all through a long weekend until Ash Wednesday. Then, Santa Cruz’s Carnival officially ends with the unusual Spanish tradition of a mock funeral procession and burning of a giant papier-mâché sardine—a symbol of society’s rebirth after excess.
When does the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife take place? The 8 days before, and including Ash Wednesday each year, with the funeral of the sardine taking place on the last day.
Insider tip: If you venture to Tenerife for the big event, take some time to explore the island’s natural beauty with a whale-watching cruise or stargazing experience near Mt. Teide.
Famous for its elaborate masquerade balls, the “Carnivale di Venezia” puts a sumptuous spin on the Carnival tradition. Costumed revelers recreate the decadent atmosphere of 18th-century Venice, filling St. Mark’s Square with swishing gowns, adorned wigs, gentlemen’s cloaks, and handcrafted Venetian masks that are sold throughout the city. Nightly balls and Venetian music shows featuring dinner and dancing have regal dress codes and price tags to match, but anyone can join in the festivities at public parades or costumed pub crawls at Venice’s bacari, or wine bars.
When does the Venice Carnival take place? The festivities start about two weeks before Ash Wednesday, with the final celebrations taking place on Shrove Tuesday.
Insider tip: Enjoy the elegance of Carnival year-round with a Venetian mask-making workshop or an Italian opera concert at a historic palazzo.
Related: Read our guide on how to experience carnival in Venice to make your trip an unforgettable experience.
Although not a pre-lenten carnival, Notting Hill stakes its claim as Europe's largest street festival, bringing Caribbean culture to the streets of West London. Unlike pre-Lenten Carnivals that take place in the winter, this one has nothing to do with the Christian calendar and is instead held at the end of August. Inspired by Trinidad’s Carnival, plus the traditions of London’s West Indian community, partygoers take to the streets for dancing and parading to the sounds of bass-heavy sound systems, DJ sets, and steel drums. Each year, around 2 million people attend this marvelous, multicultural celebration.
When does the Notting Hill Carnival take place? The last Monday and preceding Sunday each year in August.
Insider tip: While you’re in the neighborhood, explore picturesque Notting Hill and get acquainted with its musical and film legends on a walking tour.
This piece was originally published in January 2022 and has been recently updated by Luke Spacey.
What does carnival celebrate? With roots in ancient pagan traditions that heralded the end of winter, Carnival is today tied to the Christian calendar and marks the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. Also known as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, Carnival preceeds Lent, the 40-day fasting period observed before Easter Sunday.
When is carnival celebrated each year? Each city in our list of the best Carnivals in the world has its own take on Carnival revelry. However, celebrations typically run for five days to a week leading up to Ash Wednesday, the official start of Lent.
