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El Carnaval de Venecia es uno de los mejores en todo el mundo
20 Best Carnivals in the World
El Carnaval de Venecia es una de las fiestas más populares e influyentes del mundo
5 Best Carnivals in the World

Carnival is the most famous party in the world, which has its origins in the old world. Although the festivities may have originated in a specific place, nowadays carnivals have managed to modify thanks to the contact with other cultures and traditions. Each country in the following top has carnivals withunique and amazing characteristics, making them the most outstanding around the world.

We accompany you to discover the 10 Best Carnivals in the World.

10. Salvador Carnival, Brazil

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The city of Salvador in the state of Bahia is one of the most popular carnivals in the entire country. It is also considered one of the main competitors of Rio de Janeiro’s carnival due to its incredible and varied street entertainment. The city of Salvador has played an extremely important role in how carnivals are carried out throughout the country, as the predecessor of theElectric Trio was made in this city. Adolfo Dodo Nascimento and Osmar Álvares Macódo were the ones who, in 1950, elaborated thefirst Trío Eléctrico in the country, which would completely modify how the festivities are carried out in the city and the country.

Electric Trios are large trucks that have horns, musicians or singers to entertain the entire carnival audience. These trucks are part of the elements used by the blocos in the carnival festivities. To attend these blocos, you must purchase the abadá, a shirt or uniform that allows you access to the bloco circuit. In addition, you can also purchase various services to elevate your experience to the next level. Some blocos even integrate the participation of great and famous international artists.

Bands of musicians perform in the streets during the Salvador Carnival

Bands of musicians perform in the streets during the Salvador Carnival

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Because the Salvador Carnival does not have official parades ofsamba schools as in Rio de Janeiro, it must offer all they have through the street circuits. The circuits are routes or specific points in the city where blocos or groupings perform small parades. In these circuits, people gather to enjoy the best season of the whole year. In addition, the city also has several static stages for people who do not want to walk the bustling streets of the carnival in Salvador.

The Carnival of the city of Salvador in the state of Bahia will take place approximately from February 24 to March 2.

9. Carnival of Barranquilla, Colombia

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The Carnival of Barranquilla is the most popular and colorful carnival in the entire Colombian territory. The city of Barranquilla has celebrated the carnivals since 1893, which has made the festivities one of the most important cultural and representative expressions of the entire territory. The Carnivals feature grandiose and colorful events from beginning to end, transforming the city into a gigantic stage where cultural groupings, bands and parades impressive parades are presented. Due to its great contribution to the local culture, the carnivals of Barranquilla were declared a Cultural Masterpiece of the Nation and Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

 

From start to finish, theBarranquilla carnivals are full of fun and cultural activities. In addition, the whole party is celebrated with musical genres such as jalao, chandé, vallenato, champeta and most importantly, cumbia. As if this were not enough, there is also a wide variety of traditional dances, which are divided into special dances and relationship dances. Within the special dances are La Danza de los Diablos, Danza del Gusano, La Danza de las Farotas, Danza de los Indios; while in the relationship dances are Danza de Paloteo, Las Danza de los Goleros y de los Gallinazos, Danza del Caimán and La Danza de las Pilanderas.

The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the most important celebrations in the country and the continent

The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the most important celebrations in the country and the continent

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Among the main events are the Battle of Flowers with the participation of the Carnival Queen, folklore groups, bands and music. In addition, you can also find the Gran Parada de Tradición y Folclor where only folklore groups and comparsas participate. Finally, you can also find the Gran Parada de Comparsas with the participation of carrozas, music, dancers and comparsas fantásticas..

The Barranquilla Carnival will take place approximately from February 22 to 25.

 

 

8. Ivrea Carnival, Italy

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The city of Ivrea celebrates one of the most fun and lively carnivals in all of Italy. The Carnivals of Ivrea have been held since the Middle Ages, being transmitted orally until 1808. This celebration has the particularity of contemplating several historical elements that the city has lived through the years. One of these has been the murder of one of the Tyrants of the city, who was killed by a girl, nowadays presented in the carnivals as Mugnaia. In addition, great influences can also be seen in the costumes of the characters due to French military interventions.

 

The Carnival in Ivrea features a large parade starring Mugnaia, a young girl dressed in white who represents one of the most influential characters of the carnival. In addition, there is also the presence of a royal court that escorts the Mugnaia during the parade. The celebration also includes events typical of the city, rituals, popular meals and the grandiose battle of oranges, the most important attraction of the carnivals.

Battle of the Oranges at the Ivrea Carnival

Battle of the Oranges at the Ivrea Carnival

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The battle of the oranges is the highlight of the entire festival, which lasts for several days. The city is divided into a total of 9 groups, which throw an incredible amount of oranges at each other. Each of these teams has its own distinctive features, including color of clothing and even a meeting place, the balata. The city is completely filled with hundreds of thousands of oranges, which were selected exclusively for this purpose.

The Carnival of Ivrea lasts a little over a month. However, it does not reach its peak until February, when the orange battles and parades take place. The Ivrea Carnival will be taking place between the months of February and March.

 

 

7. Viareggio Carnival, Italy

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The Viareggio Carnival boasts the most impressive carnival floats in the entire country. The beautiful town of Viareggio is the epicenter of one of the largest and most impressive carnivals in all of Italy. The Carnival has been part of the city since 1873, evolving and integrating new elements over the years. In the 1930s, the carnival organization decided to include to the festivities its own mascot called Burlamacco, then in 2001 to inaugurate a carnival enclosure known as Cittadella del Carnevale..

Viareggio’s carnival celebration is incomparable, featuring dozens of large themed floats that travel along the city’s seawall. The floats that participate in the carnival can reach up to 20 meters long; however, everything depends on the category to which it is integrated. For the Viareggio carnival floats, there are 4 specific categories: First class floats, second class floats, masked groups and individual category; each of these categories depends on the number of members that the group has.

The Viareggio Carnival is one of the largest in Italy and Europe

The Viareggio Carnival is one of the largest in Italy and Europe

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Each of the floats that travels along the city’s waterfront has a particular theme. This theme can encompass a large number ofglobal or local themes, as they are limited to the imagination of each group. In addition, usually the themes of the carrozas have to do withcurrent or important political issues, both of the country and of the world. Likewise, each float has a large group of dancers and members who strut down the street or perform shows on the structures.

The Viareggio Carnivals will take place approximately between the months of January and February.

 

 

6. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

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The Carnival in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the biggest event in the whole country. Part of the greatness of these carnivals is due to the brotherhood with other cities such as Rio de Janeiro. This brotherhood has allowed for a wonderful cultural exchange between the two cities, which can be seen in the quality and magnitude of the festivities. Currently, the Carnival of Tenerife has received the decoration ofTourist Festival of International Interest by the Secretariat of State for Tourism. In addition, it also seeks to be part of the Unesco World Heritage Site.

It could be said that the Tenerife Carnival has two extremely important modalities for the festival: The Official Carnival and the Street Carnival. The Street Carnival is an informal modality of the festivities, since they are the unofficial carnival celebrations. That is, they are all those celebrations that take place in streets, kiosks, clubs and restaurants. The Official Carnival consists of all the established programming of the city, including the parades, concerts and formal galas..

The Tenerife Carnival is considered the second most popular carnival in the world

The Tenerife Carnival is considered the second most popular carnival in the world

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In the Official Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife you can find several cultural expressions, such as the murgas, the rondallas, the zarzuelas, the comparsas and many other varied expressions. In addition, there are also competitions of murgas, both children and adults, musical concerts, costume contests, various events in the Teatro Guimerá and the three main events of the carnival: The Announcing Cavalcade, the Great Coso Apotheosis and the Burial of the Sardine. The first two are two large parades that integrate the carnival groups, while the third is the closing ceremony of the carnival.

Despite not having a certain date, the organization plans to hold the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife from February 23 to March 6.

 

 

5. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is without a doubt, one of the best celebrations in all of the Caribbean and the world. Carnivals in the islands has revolutionized the festivities in the Caribbean and has even forced other countries to hold their carnival celebrations in other months of the year. Today, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival has positioned itself as one of the biggest festivals in the entire Caribbean region.

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival celebration dates back to the 18th century, but this celebration was not popular, as it was only practiced by whites and freemen. It was not until 1838 that the Canboulay or cannes brulées began to materialize in the islands. This celebration is the predecessor of modern carnivals and at the time the festival represented a movement of freedom, strength and power.

Today, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is an extremely important means of expression, which comprises a wide variety of cultural manifestations of great importance. Carnival begins a month before the traditional calendar and intensifies as February arrives. The music, the concerts, the contests, the parties and the food begin to make themselves present from the month of January, but it is not until February that the Bacchanal Week, the J’ouvert and the parade take place.

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the most joyous and colorful celebrations in the world

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the most joyous and colorful celebrations in the world

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Bacchanal Week is the last week of festivities, which features a good amount of fun and singular events. The J’ouvert is one of the most typical expressions of the Caribbean carnival, as it is a symbol of freedom, which people take as a vehicle to walk around the city, get dirty with paint and dance. The Grand Parade of carnival is the most anticipated event, as it features both the presentation of the traditional characters such as Jab Jabs and the participants of the Bandas Mas.

For 2021, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnivals have been suspended due to the Covid19 pandemic.

 

4. Nice Carnival, France

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The Nice Carnival is considered one of the most beautiful in France and the world. The Carnivals inthe city of Nice have established themselves as one of the most authentic and famous celebrations in the whole country. In addition, it features wonderful events, full of color and magic that mesmerizes everyone who comes to be part of the festivities. Every year, the Nice Carnival takes on a different theme that it incorporates into each of its events and shows.

The city of Nice has been celebrating carnivals since the 13th century. However, these festivities were still very primitive and were not celebrated by the bulk of the population. After this, the carnival began to grow progressively and by the 14th and 15th century carnival balls had already begun to take place. In this way, carnivals began to integrate much more modern elements until the current form of the festivities was achieved.

 

The Carnival in Nice is an event like no other in the world, enjoying a unique magic, thousands of flowers and tons of confetti. Year after year, the city of Nice stands out for its beauty and quality of the events, as these integrate great themed floats, acrobats, shows light shows, musicians and artists who are in charge of offering you the best carnival season in your life.

The Nice Carnival is a visual spectacle both day and night

The Nice Carnival is a visual spectacle both day and night

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The Carnival season in the city includes 3 main events: The Battle of Flowers, Parade of Lights and Corso Carnavalesque Parada Nissarda. Each of these events have singular characteristics, making them unique and eye-catching. The Battle of Flowers is a show in whichflowered floats and colorful figures predominate, the Parade of Lights takes place during the evening and its main attraction is thelight and laser shows. Finally, the Corso Carnavalesque – Parada Nissarda is the largest and most elaborate event of all.

The Nice Carnival is usually held between the months of February and March.

 

 

 

3.New Orleans Mardi Gras, United States

Mardi Gras is the largest Carnival party in the United States of America. The celebration of Mardi Gras is a grandiose colorful party that takes place mainly in the southern United States, specifically in the state of Louisiana. Although several cities in the country celebrate Mardi Gras, none of them celebrates it like thecity of New Orleans, as this is considered the most wild, colorful and fun party in the entire state.

 

The celebration of Mardi Gras began to be part of the festivities in the southern part of the country thanks to the fact that Louisiana had been colonized by the French. The first documented record of these festivities dates back to 1699; however, it is believed that the festival had been part of the state since much earlier. It was not until the 18th century that Mardi Gras was established as an official holiday on this side of the United States.

The city of New Orleans becomes the epicenter of an indomitable and colorful party during the month of February. Every year, hundreds ofcarnival groups, which are known as krewes, perform dozens of events and activities for the public and the rest of its members. These Krewes are responsible for the parades of carnival, dances and the throws that take place during the parades. Throws are gifts, objects or gifts that are thrown from the floats of the krewes, these objects are usually sweets, toys, trinkets and the characteristic bead necklaces.

New Orleans Mardi Gras is a big celebration across the state of Louisiana

New Orleans Mardi Gras is a big celebration across the state of Louisiana

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Although Mardi Gras reaches its peak during the month of February, especially during Shrove Tuesday, the parades and activities begin as early as January 2. In addition, the city also includes events such as theFamily Gras or Lundi Gras, in which family activities are held or naming the Mardi Gras monarchy. Mardi Gras is the best day of the entire celebration, since it is when the largest and most important groups or krewes tour various parts of the city, performing an incredible colorful show.

The Mardi Gras Celebration will take place on March 1st.

 

 

 

2. Venice Carnival, Italy

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The Venice Carnival has been one of the most influential around the world, as it is undoubtedly the pioneer in carnival festivals in Europe. Many festivals in adjacent countries and on other continents have been influenced by the enigmatic Venetian masks or the ostentatious and pompous colorful period costumes. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to thecity of canals to be part of the most wonderful celebrations in the country.

The celebration of the carnival in the city of Venice has been taking place since 1094, recording the carnival as a public celebration. Carnival quickly began to permeate deeply into Venetian society, becoming a sort of escape valve for the everyday problems of the population. Over time, the carnival began to incorporatebig shows, accompanied by food, dancing and activities that have been maintained to the present day.

 

Venetian Carnival is actually a conglomeration of celebrations that occur throughout the carnival season. Each of the communes, municipalities and localities of Venice hold small festivities, parades and concerts. In addition, private venues, palaces and halls also hold dances and themed dinners to celebrate the carnivals. However, the events that stand out most from the whole party are those held in thecentral district or in the main squares of the city.

The masks of the Venice Carnival are unique in their style, being a centuries-old tradition

The masks of the Venice Carnival are unique in their style, being a centuries-old tradition

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One of the highlights of the festivities is the Festa Veneziana sull’acqua, in which a large luminous presentation is performed over the canals of the city. In addition, there is also Il Volo dell’Angelo, a show where a well-known character performs an impeccable descent on Saint Mark’s Square. Over the years, other celebrations have also developed, such as the Festa delle Marie, the Svolo del Leone and Il Concorso della Maschera più bella which are extremely popular during carnivals.

Venice Carnival will be held from February 19 to March 1.

 

1. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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The Carnivals in Rio de Janeiro have been recognized as the largest and most important celebrations of their kind. Like the Venice Carnival, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival has managed to reach several parts of the world, including the Nordic countries, bringing to these cities the music and the characteristic costumes of the Carioca Carnival. In addition, theRio de Janeiro Carnival has influenced other carnivals on the continent.

 

Carnival arrived in Brazil through the Portuguese Entrudo, which was celebrated in a somewhat violent and wild way. However, over the years the celebration began to civilize and integrate various cultural elements that allowed the development of today’s carnivals. Today, the Carioca carnival has a great variety of cultural expressions that can be noticed both in its music, as well as in its dress.

During theCarnival season in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the highlight of the festivities are thewonderful parades that take place in the sambódromo. These parades are performed by theprofessional samba schools, which are divided into the categories of Special Group and Access Group, each of these performed on different days. However, Rio de Janeiro’s carnivals are not only about the parades.

 

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the largest and most impressive carnival in the world

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the largest and most impressive carnival in the world

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In addition to the parades, you can also find a large number ofcarnival groups known as blocos. These blocos are the popular expression of carnival par excellence, as they perform in the streets and the entertainment is completely free. Each of the blocos carries its own essence and can bring together hundreds of thousands of people in a single day. There is also entertainment for people looking for alternatives such as dances and carnival parties, most of which are held in private sites, hotels or halls.

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival will be held from February 21 to 26.