Many of us long to add a dash of excitement to our lives and brighten things up with vibrant shades. Sound familiar? It could be time to check out some of the best colorful carnivals that bring cities to life across the world.
Notting Hill Carnival – UK
Notting Hill Carnival brings everything Caribbean to life in London each year. It is arguably the biggest street party held across Europe as bands and dance schools take to the street in colorful costumes as they party the day away. Then there’s the delicious food that’s on offer, making Notting Hill Carnival a treat for every sense.
Oruro Carnival – Bolivia
Every year, the streets of Bolivia come to life thanks to the Oruro Carnival. It’s filled with the sense of good triumphing over evil as Mother Earth battles the God of the Underworld in a huge firework battle that’s filled with smoke and noise. That’s just the beginning as people in the colorful carnival bring various characters to life through their costumes.
New Orleans Mardi Gras – USA
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is now one of the most famous parades globally, let alone in the US. Colorful carnivals could learn a thing or two from Mardi Gras as the festival features its famous beaded necklaces, plenty of music, and thousands of people having fun. Don’t forget; there’s also the bar-hopping and giant parade to enjoy, too.
Rio Carnival – Brazil
It wouldn’t be a list of colorful carnivals without Brazil on the list. The Rio Carnival is the most famous in the world as people from across the planet come together for five days of parades and parties that are filled with plenty of music and, of course, color. Samba schools from across the city all compete for the winning title in a sight that has to be seen to be believed.
Venice Carnival – Italy
You need to travel to Italy in February in the lead up to Lent if you want to enjoy a slice of Venice Carnival. It is now one of the most famous masked festivals on the planet as thousands of people gather in masks of their own. Many of them have been delicately crafted from porcelain, glass, or leather as they bring characters from the past to life. Team that with the backdrop with Venice, and it might be no surprise Venice Carnival is one of the most colorful carnivals.
Binche Carnival – Belgium
Expect staring masks, thrown apples, and shaking sticks as Binche Carnival. It’s not as scary as it sounds. The carnival actually features hundreds of uniformly masked men causing chaos throughout the city as they try to scare off any bad spirits. This colorful carnival is filled with plenty of fun and an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else in the world.
There are carnivals, and then there are colorful carnivals. Most of them are all about having fun and coming together as a community, each with their own twist on a carnival. Wherever you are in the world, they really are a sight to behold.
