🎉 10 Must-See Carnival Parades Around the World 🌎 🥳

Hello, friends! It’s time to put on our festive hats and get ready for the most exciting carnivals around the world! Carnival is a time to let loose, have fun, and celebrate with colorful costumes, music, and dancing. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best carnival parades around the world that are sure to leave you in awe. Let’s get started! 🎊

1. Rio Carnival 🇧🇷

The Rio Carnival is one of the most famous carnivals in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. It takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and features elaborate parades with samba music, colorful costumes, and giant floats. The carnival lasts for five days, with the samba parades taking place on the Sunday and Monday of the festival. If you’re planning on attending, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance, as the city gets very crowded during this time.

2. Venice Carnival 🇮🇹

The Venice Carnival is one of the oldest and most elegant carnivals in the world. It takes place in Venice, Italy, and dates back to the 13th century. The carnival is famous for its intricate masks and costumes, which are meant to hide the wearer’s identity and social status. The festival lasts for two weeks and includes events such as masquerade balls, concerts, and parades. If you’re a fan of history and culture, the Venice Carnival is a must-see.

3. Mardi Gras 🇺🇸

Mardi Gras is a carnival celebrated in cities across the United States, but most famously in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival is known for its flashy floats, colorful beads, and lively music. The Mardi Gras parades take place in the two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, with the biggest parades happening on the days leading up to Mardi Gras itself. If you’re planning on attending the New Orleans Mardi Gras, be sure to arrive early to snag a good spot along the parade route.

4. Notting Hill Carnival 🇬🇧

The Notting Hill Carnival, held in London, England, is the largest carnival in Europe. The festival celebrates Caribbean culture and features colorful costumes, steel drum bands, and Caribbean food. The carnival takes place over three days, with the main parade happening on the August bank holiday. If you’re planning on attending, be sure to try the traditional Caribbean jerk chicken or goat curry.

5. Basel Fasnacht 🇨🇭

The Basel Fasnacht is a carnival celebrated in Basel, Switzerland, and is known for its elaborate and intricate lanterns. The festival begins at 4:00 a.m. on the Monday following Ash Wednesday and lasts for three days. It features a range of events, including parades, Gugge music performances, and lantern exhibitions. The carnival is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with the lanterns being a unique highlight.

6. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 🇪🇸

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, held in the capital of the Canary Islands, is the second-largest carnival in the world after Rio. The carnival features parades with colorful floats, dancers in glittering costumes, and live music. The main parade takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, with the carnival lasting for two weeks. If you’re looking for a carnival with good weather and stunning scenery, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the place to be.

7. Cologne Carnival 🇩🇪

The Cologne Carnival, held in Cologne, Germany, is one of the largest carnivals in the world, attracting over 1 million visitors every year. The festival takes place in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday and features parades with elaborate costumes and floats. The highlight of the Cologne Carnival is the Rosenmontag parade, which takes place on the Monday before Ash Wednesday and features over 120 floats.

8. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 🇦🇺

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, held in Sydney, Australia, is one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the world. The festival features a parade with hundreds of colorful floats, dancers, and performers celebrating diversity and equality. The parade takes place on the first Saturday in March and attracts over 200,000 spectators. If you’re looking for a carnival with a message of love and acceptance, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the place to be.

9. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 🇹🇹

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a two-day festival celebrated in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The festival is known for its vibrant costumes, Soca music, and Calypso competitions. The main parade takes place on Carnival Tuesday, with smaller events happening throughout the festival. If you’re looking for a carnival with a laid-back Caribbean vibe, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a great option.

10. Binche Carnival 🇧🇪

The Binche Carnival, held in Binche, Belgium, is a UNESCO World Heritage event and one of the oldest carnivals in Europe. The carnival is known for its Gilles, men wearing ostrich feather hats and wax masks who throw oranges at the crowd. The Gilles parade takes place on Shrove Tuesday, with the festival lasting for three days. If you’re looking for a carnival with a unique tradition, the Binche Carnival is definitely worth a visit.

That’s it for our roundup of 10 must-see carnival parades around the world. We hope this list has given you some inspiration for your next trip. Remember to bring a camera and lots of sunscreen, and be prepared to dance the night away! 💃 🕺