Passion Explorer
Carnivals & Street Celebrations
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9 destinations
USA★ 6
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Famous for its Krewe system, elaborate floats, and tradition of throws, Mardi Gras in New Orleans features over 80 Krewe parades, numerous French Quarter and Bourbon Street celebrations, the tradition of King cake, several Krewe balls (some open to the public), and Mardi Gras Indians cultural presentations. It runs through Fat Tuesday with a robust parade infrastructure and attracts around 1.4 million visitors.
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Colombia★ 6
Barranquilla Carnival
A UNESCO Masterpiece representing Colombia's rich cultural expression. Highlights include the Battle of Flowers parade, Grand Parade, Fantasy Parade, cumbia dancing, Marimonda characters, and an orchestral festival. It occurs in February/March with about 1.5 million attendees and has a notable parade route via Via 40.
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United Kingdom★ 5
Notting Hill Carnival
Europe's largest street festival celebrating Caribbean culture in London. Activities include 38 static sound systems, mas bands parade, J'ouvert morning celebrations, Caribbean food stalls, soca and reggae stages, and a children's day on Sunday. Occurs over the August Bank Holiday weekend with significant street festival infrastructure and attracts around 2 million attendees across two days.
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Brazil★ 8
Rio de Janeiro Carnival
The world's largest carnival attracting around 2 million people daily and totaling 6 million over the event. Features include samba competition with 12 samba schools at the Sambadrome parade, more than 500 street blocos, Carnival balls including the Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace, year-round samba school rehearsals, the Champion's Parade on the Saturday after carnival, and costume participation options. It is a top-tier event with excellent infrastructure and a festive atmosphere that epitomizes Brazilian culture.
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Italy★ 7
Venice Carnival
Known for its elaborate masks and costumes originating from the 13th century, the Venice Carnival embodies aristocratic elegance. Highlights include performances in St. Mark's Square, grand masked balls in palaces, costume competitions such as 'la maschera piu bella', the Flight of the Angel (Volo dell'Angelo), water parades on the Grand Canal, and visits to ateliers for mask-making. The carnival is held for two weeks before Lent and draws about 3 million visitors annually.
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Germany★ 6
Cologne Carnival
Known as the 'Fifth Season,' Cologne Carnival encompasses Germanic traditions with events such as the Rose Monday Parade (Rosenmontag), Women's Carnival Day (Weiberfastnacht), the Ghost Parade (Geisterzug), carnival sessions in halls, and street celebrations in Old Town featuring costume traditions. It takes place from Thursday to Tuesday in February/March and draws about 1.5 million visitors with well-organized infrastructure.
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Brazil★ 7
Salvador Carnival
The world's largest street party featuring trio eletricos (music trucks), VIP camarotes, bloco afro groups, and multiple circuits such as Barra-Ondina and Pelourinho. It includes free street participation called 'pipoca.' The carnival spans from Thursday to Tuesday around February/March and hosts approximately 2.5 million people. It has comprehensive safety zones and lively musical festivities.
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Trinidad and Tobago★ 7
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
The Caribbean's greatest carnival celebrated as the birthplace of steelpan music and promoted as the "Greatest Show on Earth." Key experiences include J'ouvert (pre-dawn mud and paint party), Panorama steelband competition, Dimanche Gras Sunday night show, street parades on Monday and Tuesday, soca and calypso contests, and the traditional 'playing mas' by joining a band. It has well-organized infrastructure around Queen's Park Savannah and attracts over 100,000 participants.
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France★ 6
Nice Carnival
Famous for Riviera elegance, flower battles (bataille de fleurs), illuminated night parades, the King's arrival, carnival burning ceremonies, and events at Place Massena and Promenade des Anglais. Celebrated in February over two weeks, the carnival draws 1 million visitors supported by top-notch Riviera infrastructure.
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