As the Carnival season closes to an end, we made a list of the most colourful and debauched (insert wink)ย carnivals ย from around the world!
Lent happens to be a pretty important event in most countries. A one month period where Christians give up something that they enjoy (for example, alcohol or non-vegetarian food) as a form of penance for the suffering of Christ. And thus, the Carnival is the period of celebration just before Lent ย celebrated with great enthusiasm in most of South America and Western Europe. Here are a few places you can travel to witness theย most popular pre-lenten Carnivals.
The Rio Carnival
Where: Rio De Janeiro, Brasil.
Undoubtedly the biggest and most popular carnival of them all, the Rio Carnival is the kind of experience you need to have at least once in your life. The Carnival is one of the biggest highlights of the city as people from all over the world rush in. The parades are part of a 2-day event, something that the Carnival is specially known for. Local samba schools participate in the parade, competing to be crowned the winner. Strenuous effort is taken in making sure that each parade is absolutely fantastic to watch with gigantic floats, elaborate costumes and mind boggling dance performances.
(Image Credits: ibtimes.co.uk)
Carnival Of Venice
Where: Venice, Italy.
Canival of Venice, or Carnevale di Venice is a very popular European festival that people flock to from all over the world. It is a grand affair of almost a week where revelers are treated to some beautiful vistas, mainly during the parades. The carnival is known around the world for its elaborate masks. Participants in the parade go to great lengths to ensure that each mask is striking in its uniqueness.
(Image Credits: emotionforever.com)
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Where: Trinidad and Tobago Islands.
One of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the very first to celebrate the Carnival in such style. With a grand parade that takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the Carnival is two days of no holds barred debauchery that people from all over the world join in merrily. Drop by if you want to experience some authentic Caribbean culture.
(Image Credits: jayblessed.com)
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Where: New Orleans.
If there is one representation for the preposterous Carnival celebrations in the US, it would have to be the New Orleans Mardi Gras. The festivities go on for two whole weeks, culminating in a grand ceremony on Shrove Tuesday, one day before the Ash Wednesday. The Mardi Gras style parades have enthusiastic revelers decking up in ostentatious costumes and performing all over the city. The Mardi Gras is also famous for its street parties, which are exactly as you can imagine, thousands of people partying and celebrating out on the streets!
(Image Credits: vivomasks.com)
Recife and Olinda Carnival
Where: Brasil.
Though many people agree that the Rio Carnival is the best carnival in Brasil, there is an equally strong group of people that state that the real magic of the Carnival can only be experienced at the Recife and Olinda festival that happens annually. The party here begins from January onward to extend leisurely up to Ash Wednesday, which they consider one of the saddest days of the year. The Recife and Olinda Carnival is all about losing yourself in the celebrations all around with friends who you just met. Try out this festival for an alternate but much more intense experience of the Carnival.
(Image Credits: flickr.com)