Essentially the most well-known carnivals within the coming months show an explosion of colour, track, mask, feathers, and detailed costumes. Those parts flip streets into open-air levels. Carnival is without doubt one of the oldest and maximum common celebrations. It pauses on a regular basis routines. Its roots lie in lunar cycles and Christian traditions sooner than Lent. Dates trade annually. The central topics of pleasure, combined cultures, and visible displays keep the similar.
Carnivals fluctuate through location. They vary from large parades to chic masked traditions. Occasions be offering the whole thing from high-energy boulevard events to historic symbols. No unmarried carnival is the most productive. The selection is determined by a need for spectacles, custom, magnificence, or deep cultural historical past. But a number of well-known gala’s constantly draw in thousands and thousands of holiday makers.
4 well-known carnivals occur in February. Maximum happen in February 2026, and every has a definite taste.
Rio de Janeiro Carnival (Brazil)
No checklist of well-known carnivals is entire with out Rio de Janeiro. Many name it the best display on Earth. Portuguese colonial roots combine African and indigenous kinds. This mix created a well-known samba pageant.
The Sambadrome is the middle. Most sensible samba faculties compete there in detailed parades. They provide massive floats, vibrant costumes, new track, and actual dance steps. Over 100 faculties participate. Judges watch them sooner than huge crowds. Samba faculties unite neighborhoods throughout social strains. Artisans and dancers sign up for in combination.
Out of doors the stadium, town hosts blocos. Those unplanned boulevard events fill seashores and squares. Spaces like Copacabana, Ipanema, and Lapa see nonstop track and dancing till morning time.
2026 dates: February 13 to 21. The principle Particular Workforce parades occur at evening on February 15 thru 17. Get entry to Workforce occasions happen previous. The Champions Parade is on February 21.
Venice Carnival (Italy)
The Venice Carnival gives a special enjoy. It specializes in custom and style close to the canals and outdated structure. It is without doubt one of the oldest recorded carnivals. Its origins date to the eleventh century. Reputable standing got here in 1296. The development peaked within the 18th century. Mask let social categories combine with out names which allowed for satire and freedom.
Well-known mask just like the Bauta and plague physician got here from particular stores. Napoleon banned the pageant after the Republic fell in 1797. It returned in 1979. Arranged occasions now combine historical past and tourism.
Key occasions come with the Grand Canal water parade. An “angel” flies from St. Mark’s Campanile all through the Volo dell’Angelo. St. Mark’s Sq. hosts masks contests. Other people consume conventional candies like frittelle.
2026 dates: January 31 to February 17. Major occasions get started on February 7. Those come with the Festa delle Marie procession. Ultimate ceremonies run from February 15 to 17.
Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is certainly one of Europe’s biggest and most renowned carnivals. This can be a pageant of world vacationer hobby. The capital of the Canary Islands holds parades and live shows for 2 weeks. Teams compete and have fun within the streets, hundreds of other people put on costumes. They fill the streets for occasions day and evening. Galas make a choice the Carnival Queen. One live performance set a Guinness document with over 200,000 dancers. The close by Las Palmas Carnival additionally draws guests.
2026 dates: Mid-January to February 22. The height boulevard duration is February 13 to 22. Key moments come with the Opening Parade on February 13. The Grand Parade is on February 17, or Carnival Tuesday. The theme “Latin Rhythms” guides costumes and dances.
Barranquilla Carnival (Colombia)
In Latin The united states, the Barranquilla Carnival is notable for its deep cultural worth and is identified through UNESCO since 2003 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It all started in Nineteenth-century traditions. The pageant mixes Eu, African, and indigenous kinds in a full of life Caribbean show.
Parades transfer alongside By way of 40 with troupes, dances, folks teams, and track. Key occasions come with the Proclamation studying and the midnight Guacherna parade with lighting fixtures and folklore. The focal point stays on group participation slightly than simply tourism.
2026 dates: Early festivities get started close to the start of February. The Guacherna occurs on February 6. The principle days are February 14–17. This lengthy weekend comprises busy parades and occasions.
Those carnivals be offering other ways to have fun however they percentage a not unusual trait. They invite you to enroll in with pleasure and creativity. You could choose Rio’s calories, Venice’s thriller, Tenerife’s dimension, or Barranquilla’s historical past. February 2026 supplies memorable reviews in those well-known carnival spots, however plan early. The rooms and tickets promote out briefly.
