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Carnivals

Carnivals are more than just festive celebrations—they are vibrant expressions of culture, joy, and tradition. The world’s top 10 carnivals are a feast for the senses, offering spectacular parades, dazzling costumes, and infectious energy that sweep through entire cities. From the iconic Samba rhythms of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival to the colorful floats and masked revelers of Venice, these events are steeped in history and cultural significance. Whether you're dancing to the beat of drums in Trinidad, witnessing the grandeur of New Orleans' Mardi Gras, or enjoying the high-energy festivities in Notting Hill, these carnivals bring people together in a whirlwind of music, dance, and celebration.

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1. Rio de Janeiro Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Highlights: The world’s largest and most famous carnival, known for its vibrant samba parades, elaborate costumes, and energetic street parties.
Key Events: Sambadrome parades with competing samba schools, blocos (street parties), and extravagant floats.

2. Venice Carnival – Venice, Italy

Highlights: Known for its elegant masks, historical costumes, and the romantic ambiance of Venice.
Key Events: The masquerade balls, costume contests, and processions in St. Mark’s Square.

3. Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA

Highlights: Known for its colorful parades, lively music, and vibrant beads and costumes.
Key Events: Parades led by “krewes,” with floats, masked riders, and throws (beads, coins, and trinkets).

4. Notting Hill Carnival – London, England

Highlights: Europe’s largest street festival, celebrating Caribbean culture with dance, music, and food.
Key Events: Colorful parades, Caribbean music (soca and reggae), and a wide array of street food vendors.

5. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Highlights: Known for its soca and calypso music, elaborate costumes, and pre-Lenten celebration.
Key Events: Jouvert (pre-dawn celebration), main parade, and competitions for best costumes and steelpan music.

6. Nice Carnival – Nice, France

Highlights: One of the world’s oldest carnivals, known for its “Battle of Flowers” and artistic floats.
Key Events: Parades with giant puppets and floats, plus the floral battle where flowers are thrown to the crowd.

7. Binche Carnival – Binche, Belgium

Highlights: Known for its unique folkloric tradition, designated as a UNESCO heritage event.
Key Events: The Gilles parade, where performers dressed in elaborate costumes and wax masks throw oranges to the crowd.

8. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Highlights: Known for its colorful costumes, flamboyant parades, and electric atmosphere.
Key Events: Selection of the carnival queen, main parade, and street parties filled with music and dancing.

9. Cologne Carnival – Cologne, Germany

Highlights: Known as “the fifth season,” marked by costumes, humor, and parades.
Key Events: Rose Monday Parade with elaborate floats and costumed participants throwing sweets and flowers.

10. Oruro Carnival – Oruro, Bolivia

Highlights: Known for its mix of indigenous and Catholic traditions, with a focus on dance and music.
Key Events: Diablada (Dance of the Devils) and parades featuring traditional Bolivian costumes and rituals, declared a UNESCO heritage event.

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Venice Carnival

Rio de Janeiro Carnival