Flaunting a kaleidoscope of rhythm, colour, flamboyance, luxury and an opulent spectacle, these carnivals around the world have grabbed global limelight with their grandeur and legacy.

For many countries in the world, the carnival is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year, in which music, colour, and festivities permeate the streets. Parades and parties, food and drinks abound, brimming in the air is fun and merrymaking, and the joy of coming together of many communities. 

Many cities all around the world come alive with a riot of colour and texture during the annual celebrations, that have been a part of their folklore. While each country has a rendition of its own, some destinations around the globe are more popular than others. 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil is one of the countries recognised globally for its carnival celebrations. Rio de Janeiro’s boisterous and energetic carnival, replete with floats and performances, celebrates the Amazonian rainforest and the indigenous communities of Brazil. Renowned for its vibrant parades, iconic Samba dance and lively street performances, the Rio Carnival is regarded as one of the largest street celebrations worldwide and attracts flocks of visitors from all over the world. About 500,000 foreign visitors attend Rio Carnival every year with 2 million people taking to the streets every day. And, it is reported that 10 million litres of beer are consumed during the carnival every year!

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Every year, crowds of people come to experience this fiesta which is believed to be the most “Brazilian” of all the Spanish carnivals. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, on the Canary Island, is famous all over the world for its popular flavour. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the largest carnival in Spain and the Canary Islands, and it is regarded as the second most popular carnival worldwide. 

For 15 days, the streets of the city come alive with joie de vivre, freedom and extravagance. The imaginative, fancy and eye-catching costumes of the Carnival Queen hopefuls dancing to the music, rhythm and joy of this celebration attract millions of people from all over the planet.

Orlando, USA 

Featuring next on the list is Orlando, the theme park capital of the USA, that is located in Florida. Though Orlando may not be the first town that comes to mind when one thinks of Mardi Gras, Universal Studios puts on a celebration of beads and live music that the whole family can enjoy. For nearly two months on Saturdays and certain nights, the park entertains with headliners like Kelly Clarkson, and dishes up Cajun treats like jambalaya and shrimp gumbo. 

Home to the iconic Walt Disney World and other parks, Orlando has its very own Caribbean Carnival celebration, the Annual Orlando Downtown Carnival, which is all about celebrating and embracing Caribbean culture. A family-friendly festival, the Orlando Carnival is a weekend filled with parties and pageantry, presenting a deeper understanding of Caribbean culture. Over 20,000 people participate in carnival with thousands more in attendance.

Venice, Italy

Distinguished for its masquerade, which originally was conceived as a way for people to hide their social status and identity and socialise with whoever they wanted to freely, Venice is a sight to behold for anyone considering a vacation to Italy. Thousands of Venetians and tourists to the City of Water begin to disguise themselves in beautiful masks 40 days prior to Easter. 

What was once a celebration that blurred social class boundaries has developed into a carnival rivalling any other in the globe. Around the city, spectacles like the ‘Flight of the Angel’ and the silent water parade take place, while fashion designers from all over the world are seated on a panel to vote for la maschera piu bella, or the best mask. Venice Carnival lasts about two to three weeks long as a final party before Ash Wednesday and Lent, and is estimated to attract up to 3 million people annually to partake in the festivities surrounding Carnival.

New Orleans, USA

Another site for a gala carnival celebration in the United States is New Orleans in Louisiana. New Orleans, with its French and Caribbean roots, is believed to have the nation’s largest and best-known Carnival celebration, replete with traditions beloved by locals and foreign visitors alike, who descend in millions. Here, the carnival is a time to eat, drink and be merry before the rigorous fasting and sacrifice during Lent. 

Thousands of tourists flood ‘The Big Easy’, as the city is known, annually for Mardi Gras celebration, deemed “the biggest free party on earth” while the entire city loosens its reins and douses itself with endless strings of beads, colourful floats and costumes to celebrate the naughtiest time of year. Floats of all sizes roll through the streets in spectacular parades for two weeks prior to Mardi Gras.