Carnivals all around the world

Each country has its own culture and coutumes… And carnivals are probably the best way to understand them ! Here is a short list of most of the best Carnivals in the world. You may be surprised by one of them you are familiar with… Good read !

1. Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada

Quebec has the biggest winter carnival in the world. More than half a million people come along to celebrate in the snow.

Back in 1894, it was intended to be a rowdy (conçue pour être turbulent) party for the settlers (Colons) of New France before Lent (carême).

Now it’s symbolised by a seven-foot snowman called Bonhomme Carnaval… you’ll see him everywhere.

Don’t miss the night parade of floats in the snow-filled streets in the city centre. Although you’ll have to be brave if you want to strip off (se déshabiller) for the snow bath.

When : 27th January to 12th February 2017

 

2. Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago

They love to party in Port of Spain and no event here is bigger than carnival.

The advent (l’avènement) of Lent has been celebrated in Port of Spain by the whole island since 1833. Originally, it involved masked balls for the French Plantation owners.

At the parade you can still see some of the traditional Mas characters like the Dragon Mas, The Sebucan (looks like an English Maypole complete with Morris Dancers), Dame Lorraine and the Midnight Robber with his cape.

If you’re bendy (flexible) you can try limbo or watch the traditional stick fighting. You’ll also see musicians go head to head in a battle of the bands to be crowned the Calypso Monarch (that’s a big deal).

When : Usually the week before Lent, 27th-28th February, 2017

 

3. Rio Carnival, Brazil

The daddy of all the carnivals, this one sets the standard.

February is when summer is at its peak in Brazil, so expect it to be hot hot hot ! A good thing, then, that most of the dancers’ costumes are skimpy bits of bejewelled material (de maigres costumes parés de bijoux).

The whole city has parties popping up all over the place but the Rio Carnival Parade, with its fiercely (farouchement) contested Samba competitions, is the undisputed highlight (indiscutable grand moment).

You should also try and attend one of the balls. Try The Magic Ball at the Copacabana Palace, and get yourself to as many street parties as you can. The street band of Ipanema is famous for its flamboyance.

When : 24th to 28th February 2017

 

4. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnaval, Spain

The sunny capital of the Canary Islands’ comes alive when the rest of Western Europe is trying to cope with (affronter) the winter. It’s so big, this carnival has broken Guinness World Records.

The highlight is the parade of lavishly decorated (richement décoré) floats, accompanied by music, dancing, singing and bands parading through the city.

The Queen of Carnival competition is hotly contested, with the costumes sparkling with jewels (bijoux scintillants), lush fabrics and gravity-defying (défiant les lois de la gravité) plumage.

There’s also loads of spin-off events in the parallel streets to get stuck into (dans lesquels se fourrer).

They don’t like letting go either as they end the event with the famous burning, then Burial of the Sardine.

When : Starts the first weekend in February and lasts for a fortnight

 

5. Mardi Gras, USA

 At this time of year, New Orleans is awash with (inondé) purple, green, and gold.

This French-influenced event keeps many traditions, such as the date and the Flambeaux – the flaming torches which are the official symbol of the celebrations.

Bring a big bag to the famous parade, that way you’ll be able to catch all the traditional trinkets (bibelots), beads and items (including coconuts) thrown (jeté) from the floats as they wind (serpenter) through the streets.

Food wise : try the traditional Louisiana King Cakes. If you get the slice with the baby (plastic of course) you have to host the next party as in France : if you have the bean in the Galette des Rois you’ll have to host the next one !

When : Tuesday 28th February, 2017

 

6. Carnevale di Venezia, Italy

When it comes to costumes, Venice’s has it down pat (l’a bien saisie). This is one of the most visually carnivals – and also the poshest (coquet, chic).

You’ll want to channel your elegance and choose your mask (Bauta, Larva or Moretta) with care, then stroll (flâner) along the canals like you own it.

This is a more formal event and each day is carefully planned. Try and head there for the atmospheric candlelight (veillée aux chandelles) water parade on Shrove Tuesday and the fireworks on the final Notte de la Taranta.

You should also visit the Piazza S. Marco – the traditional professions, like mask-makers, shoemakers and costumers have shops set up as they would have been in the 18th century.

When : 11th to 28th February, 2017

 

7. Nice Carnaval, France

(As you know now) The Nice Carnival is famous for its flower battle.

Catch both the carnival parades (day and night) going through the Place Massena and of course the flower parades on the seafront. Each year more than 100 000 flowers are thrown to the crowd (foule). There’s loads of other events going on, too… The carnastring (a sea water bath for the brave), the carnacourse (a waiters’ race) and the caranasocca (eating a chickpea-based pancake, THE traditional dishes from the region).

When : 11th – 26th February, 2017

 

8. Carnival of Oruro, Bolivia

This remote (lointaine) city’s annual carnival happens 3 700 metres above sea level.

The site is sacred for the Uro people, who had to keep their traditional festivities hidden under Spanish rule for centuries.

Now it lasts ten days and around 40 000 dancers and musicians take part in the main procession (parade). Dancing, marching and walking four kilometres back for a whole day (20 odd hours, so you’ll need some stamina (énergie)).

When: 24th – 27th February 2017

 

9. Carnaval De Binche, Belgium

This is another carnival with protected status. The town starts preparing for the three-day pre-Lent event almost as soon as it’s finished.

It’s one of the oldest in Europe and has a distinctive folklore. Things kick off (coup d’envoi) on Shrove Sunday with a masquerade street party. Keep an eye out for the Mam’selles… men dressed as women.

On Mardi Gras you’ll see the Gille characters masked in their red, yellow and black costumes with tiny spectacles, parade through the street before dancing in the Grand Place as the fireworks go off.

 When : End of February (Shrove Sunday to Tuesday)

 

10. Goa Carnival, India

The Portuguese and Spanish influence is strongly felt at this carnival which is unique in India.

The three-day pre-Lent festival has everything you need for a street party, parades, floats, costumes, dancers, singers and musicians.

Like in other Latin festivals, King Momo opens the carnival in Panaji (the capital) on Shrove Saturday.

They also party outside the capital in the surrounding (environnants) villages.

When : 25th – 28th February 2017

 

11. Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Canada

This is the largest Caribbean cultural outdoor festival in North America, and it goes on for three weeks.

Here, the sounds of the Islands take over with Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, steel pan and brass bands providing the musical backdrop.

The all-day Grand Parade with the Mas bands is the major attraction.

When : 10th July to 12th August 2017

 

12. Dia de los Muertos, Mexico

If you’ve seen the film SPECTRE, you might remember James Bond arriving in time for Mexico City’s bold and brash Dia de Muertos parade.

Skeletons playing drums (tambours), elaborately-dressed dancers, smoke and fire, giant floats… The parade for the two-day festival comes as the whole country celebrates a public holiday.

The black and white costumes contrast with the burnt-orange marigolds (cempúchit) decorating the streets and women’s hair.

1st November is traditionally when children who have lost their lives are celebrated. Día de los Inocentes with 2nd November being reserved for the adults.

When: 1st and 2nd November

 

13. Notting Hill Carnival, UK

This is now London’s biggest free street party. Millions of people head to the Notting Hill neighbourhood over the August bank holiday (jour férié) weekend.

The Caribbean carnival has been going since 1964 and now more than 60 bands take part. There’s drinking, eating and lots of dancing in the normally quiet residential streets.

The Grande Finale parade on the Bank Holiday Monday sees thousands of dancers and musicians entertain the crowded streets.

When : End of August across the Bank Holiday.

 

Bonus (si vous êtes arrivé jusqu’ici) : The 5 biggest Carnivals in the World 

 

Joanna