Carnivals Around the World
7 carnivals across 4 continents. Plan your next festive adventure.
7 carnivals
🇺🇸Mardi Gras
📍 New Orleans, USA
Attendance
1.4M
Entry
Free
Founded
1699
Venice Carnival
📍 Venice, Italy
Attendance
3M
Entry
Free
Founded
1162
Trinidad Carnival
📍 Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Attendance
500K
Entry
Free
Founded
1783
Nice Carnival
📍 Nice, France
Attendance
1.2M
Entry
$5-35
Founded
1294
Barranquilla Carnival
📍 Barranquilla, Colombia
Attendance
2M
Entry
Free
Founded
1888
Rio Carnival
📍 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Attendance
6M
Entry
Free
Founded
1723
Notting Hill Carnival
📍 London, United Kingdom
Attendance
2.5M
Entry
Free
Founded
1966
Annual carnival calendar
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Carnivals and Parades: The World's Most Vibrant Celebrations
From Mardi Gras in New Orleans to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, from Venice's masked balls to Trinidad's soca-fueled streets, carnival celebrations represent some of the most exciting and colorful travel experiences on the planet. These multi-day festivals combine music, dance, elaborate costumes, and cultural heritage into unforgettable spectacles that draw millions of visitors each year.
Mardi Gras: America's Greatest Party
New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the ultimate American carnival experience, with two weeks of parades, balls, and celebrations leading up to Fat Tuesday. The Garden District and Uptown parades offer family-friendly experiences, while the French Quarter delivers the party atmosphere the celebration is famous for. Beyond New Orleans, Mobile (Alabama) claims the oldest US Mardi Gras celebration, and Galveston (Texas) hosts a large Gulf Coast celebration.
International Carnivals Worth the Trip
Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is the world's largest, featuring samba schools competing in the spectacular Sambadrome parade. Venice Carnival offers an elegant, mysterious atmosphere with ornate masks and Renaissance costumes. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival brings the Caribbean's most energetic celebration with soca and calypso music. Barranquilla (Colombia), Nice (France), and Notting Hill (London) round out the global carnival calendar.
Carnival Travel with Points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on travel and dining, ideal for carnival trips that center around food and nightlife. Transfer points to United for flights to Rio de Janeiro, or to Hyatt for hotels in New Orleans. The Amex Platinum provides lounge access for pre-carnival travel and concierge services for booking parade viewing spots and VIP experiences. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees for international carnivals.
Carnival Planning Tips
Book accommodation 6-12 months ahead, as carnival dates cause extreme price surges. Choose hotels within walking distance of parade routes to avoid transportation hassles. Wear comfortable shoes and lightweight clothing for hot-weather carnivals. Carry only essentials and use a money belt or front pocket for valuables in crowded celebrations. For Rio Carnival, purchase Sambadrome tickets through official channels to avoid scams.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carnivals
1When is Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) falls 47 days before Easter, so dates vary each year between early February and early March. The main carnival season begins January 6 (Twelfth Night) with parades intensifying in the final two weeks. The biggest parades (Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, Rex) occur the weekend before and on Fat Tuesday itself.
2How much does a Mardi Gras trip cost?
Hotels in New Orleans during Mardi Gras range from $200-$600/night (vs. $100-$200 normally). A 4-5 night trip costs $1,500-$3,000 per person including flights, hotel, food, and drinks. Many parades and street celebrations are free. Using hotel points can save significantly on the inflated accommodation costs.
3Can I use airline miles to fly to Carnival in Rio?
Yes. Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to United for flights to Rio de Janeiro (GIG). Amex Membership Rewards transfer to Delta or Avianca for alternative routings. Book award flights 11 months ahead, as Carnival week is extremely popular. Consider flying into Sao Paulo (GRU) and taking a short domestic flight or bus if Rio flights are unavailable.
4Which carnival offers the best experience for first-timers?
New Orleans Mardi Gras is the most accessible for Americans: no passport needed, English-speaking, and easy to navigate. Trinidad Carnival offers an immersive Caribbean experience with a welcoming atmosphere. Venice Carnival is ideal for those preferring an elegant, cultural celebration. Rio Carnival is the most spectacular but requires more planning.
5Is it safe to attend carnivals with large crowds?
Major carnivals are generally safe with standard precautions. Use a money belt or hidden pouch for cash and cards. Leave valuable jewelry at the hotel. Stay aware of your surroundings in dense crowds. Travel in groups when possible. For Rio Carnival, stick to well-populated areas and official Sambadrome events. Follow local police and event organizer guidance.