5 Best Carnivals in the World

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Every year, cities around the world prepare to hold one of the oldest festivals in history. Carnival is a lively celebration that is part of the calendar in many places around the world. For many cultures, carnival has been characterized as a means of expression, while for others it is known as a historical recognition of struggle.

We accompany you to discover the 5 best carnivals in the world.

5. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

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Trinidad and Tobago is a country located in the Caribbean and is known for being the epicenter of the best carnivals in the entire Caribbean region and one of the best worldwide. This carnival has been one of the most influential celebrations in the Caribbean. In addition, it has been responsible for many other islands to modify their own festivities so as not to be affected by the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.

 

The history of this celebration dates back to the 18th century, when the carnival was only celebrated by free and white men. However, the slaves had their own traditions, which were performed after finishing the plantation work and consisted mainly of small gatherings where they celebrated and shared some gifts. In the year 1838 the Canboulay or cannes brulées, a predecessor of the carnival that served as a means of expression for the population that had been enslaved, became a movement of liberation and freedom.

Trinidad and Tobago carnival will be held approximately from February 28th to march 1st.

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Today, the Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago is a historic celebration that serves as a means of expression for all those who live in the islands and for those who come from all over the world to celebrate. Carnival is the most anticipated and joyous time of the island, a season of incredible festivities, music everywhere, parades and wonderful cultural expressions.

 

Carnival reaches its peak during the last week, which is known as the Bacchanal Week. During this week dozens of themed parties, musical concerts, metal drum contests and of course, the traditional Caribbean J’ouvert and the Parade of Bandas Mas take place. During these last two celebrations, there is the presence of historical characters of great importance such as the Jab Jab Jab, Dame Lorraine or the Pierrot Grenade.

4. Nice Carnival, France

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The city of Nice is home to one of the largest carnivals worldwide and the largest in all of France. Moreover, the Nice carnival is considered one of the most beautiful festivals of its kind, integrating a wealth of elements of great beauty and detail. The celebration occupies two weeks of events and attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.

 

The Nice Carnival is a celebration that has been part of the city for centuries. The oldest record of the carnival is a letter by Charles d’Anjou in which he indicates that he had spent some “merry carnival days”. This document dates back to 1294. Since then, the carnival has been in an extensive evolution, making it one of the most joyful, beautiful and impressive carnivals in the world.

 

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The Nice Carnival is a large multicolored and thematic spectacle that is presented for two weeks in the city. Each year, the carnivals take on a different theme, with which it modifies its events and shows. These themes have been present in the carnivals since 1882, being included in the main carnival events. The city includes 3 main events during the festival season: the Bataille de Fleurs, the Corso Carnavalesque Illuminé and the Corso Carnavalesque – Parada Nissarda.

Each of these events boast their own unique features and elements. The Bataille de Fleurs or Battle of Flowers is a large parade dominated by cars and flowered floats; in addition, vases of flowers are also thrown to the public. The Corso Carnavalesque Illuminé or Parade of Lights is an event at night with great decoration in lights. Finally, the Corso Carnavalesque – Parada Nissarda is the macro event, the big carnival show with carriages, artists, puppets, acrobats and bands.

The Nice Carnival has been postponed due to the crisis caused by the Covid19 pandemic. However, the Nice Carnival usually takes place from February to March.

 

 

3. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA

Mardi Gras is the most popular carnival festival in the United States of America, which is celebrated mainly in thesouthern state of Louisiana. Each of the cities of the state celebrate their own carnivals or Mardi Gras. However, the city that celebrates it with much more force is thecity of New Orleans.

Although it is unknown when the first New Orleans Mardi Gras was held, it is known that the first statewide Mardi Gras was held in 1699. Since then, Mardi Gras has been a celebration that has strongly permeated the identity of the Southland, especially in the state of Louisiana..

Every year, the city of New Orleans is painted in colors to welcome back the celebration that has turned it into a tourist attraction for several years. As in many other cities in the state, Mardi Gras is composed of several events, mainly parades, dances and parties. These events are carried out by the Carnival groups, which are generally known as Krewes. In order to access these Krewes, people must pay a membership fee, which can vary depending on how important the group is, its purpose or its historical trajectory.

 

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Although Mardi Gras in the city of New Orleans has other events such as Family Gras or Lundi Gras, which is when family activities are held and the monarchs of Carnival are welcomed, the main event is Mardi Gras Tuesday. During this day, the most important krewes go around various places in the city while throwing small gifts known as “throws”. These throws can be small sweets or plush toys, but the main ones are the characteristic bead necklaces.

 

Events and parades occur in the city gradually since January. However, it is not until February when the party intensifies and the most important groups begin to participate.  New Orleans Mardi Gras will run approximately between January 2 to February 16.

 

 

 

2. Venice Carnival, Italy

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The Venice Carnival is one of the most influential festivals in all of Europe and the world. Many celebrations in adjacent countries and in America have been strongly influenced by the various elements that comprise the carnival in the city of Venice. The colorful and pompous costumes, the period atmosphere and the mysterious masks have been some of the most pronounced features of the carnivals.

 

Venice is one of the pioneer cities in the carnivals, as a great number of the main elements of the festivities have emerged from this locality. The Carnival has been celebrated in Venice since 1094, making it one of the oldest in the world. At first, the carnival served as an exhaust valve for the population. However, over time it began to integrate shows, food, events and costumes that have been maintained over time.

 

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The Carnival season is fervently experienced in each of the communes, villages and localities of the city, each of these locations holding its own festivals and events. During the 10 days of carnival, people take to the streets to take part in a large number of shows held in the plazas, canals, historic center and other parts of the city.

The whole city joins in a single party, either in private venues with themed parties or in large public events. One of the most popular events of the festivities are Il Volo dell’Angelo, which is an incredible event in which a person performs a descent into St. Mark’s Square. In addition, there is also Il Concorso della Maschera più bella, a contest of extraordinary and unique masks. However, you can find dozens of unique and incredible events.

The Carnival in the city of Venice will take place approximately from January 19 to March 1st.

 

 

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:

1. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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The Carnival in the city of Rio de Janeiro is par excellence the best party in the world. This celebration has served as an example for many other celebrations in other sister countries. Today, Rio de Janeiro Carnival is considered the largest celebration in the world, so it is designated in the Guinness World Records, book of world records that include both human and natural achievements.

Year after year, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival exceeds the expectations of locals and visitors from all over the world. The fun, the party, the music and the dances do not stop during this magical season experienced by the city and the rest of the country. This celebration is the result of the Portuguese entourage that arrived in the country during the colonization period. However, the carnival acquires the current form due to the mixture with other cultures, mainly the African..

 

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Hundreds of carnival groupings, known as blocos, take to the streets of the city during the carnival season. These groupings seek to entertain thousands of people with musical pieces and dances, which can be completely traditional or influenced by other global genres. This celebration is known as the true popular and street carnival, as it is completely free and everyone is welcome to celebrate. In addition to the blocos, there are also fantasticthemed parties in public and private venues.

The main attraction is definitely at the sambódromo of the city. The sambódromo is a large enclosure that serves as a runway for the professional samba schools to perform parades of all kinds. Each of these parades feature main stories which are then linked with the presentations of the members. In addition, they also feature large floats, fully decorated and animated. These schools are categorized by: Special Group and Access Group, each of these groups perform parades on different days.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival will approximately take place between February 21st to the 26th.

 

 

 

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