Where to go
The full list.
The world's great Carnival celebrations, from Rio's samba parades to Venice's masked balls and the Alpine Fasnacht traditions of Switzerland.
Why Carnival
Rio's Carnival is the world's most famous, with Sambadrome parades and hundreds of street blocos.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~86°F (30°C); hot, humid
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
1923 icon on Copacabana Beach.
Explore Rio de Janeiro →Why Carnival
Trinidad's Carnival, with J'ouvert at dawn and costumed bands on Monday and Tuesday, is the Caribbean's biggest.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~88°F (31°C); dry
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Waterfront hotel with a rooftop infinity pool.
Hotels in Port of Spain →Why Carnival
Carnevale di Venezia's masks, costume balls and the Flight of the Angel in St. Mark's Square.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~46°F (8°C); chilly, occasional acqua alta
- Crowds · season
- High during Carnival · Low (peak during Carnival)
- Price level
- $$$
15th-century doge's palace on the Grand Canal.
Explore Venice →Why Carnival
Salvador's street Carnival draws huge crowds behind trios elétricos sound trucks.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~86°F (30°C); hot
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Art Deco hotel with a rooftop pool over the Bay of All Saints.
Hotels in Salvador →Why Carnival
The Nice Carnival's flower battles and illuminated parades line the Promenade des Anglais.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~56°F (13°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
Belle Époque palace on the Promenade des Anglais.
Hotels in Nice →Why Carnival
Cologne's 'fifth season' peaks with Weiberfastnacht and the Rose Monday parade.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~43°F (6°C); cold
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Grand hotel facing Cologne Cathedral.
Hotels in Cologne →Why Carnival
New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the grand finale of Carnival season in the US.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~64°F (18°C); some rain
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Refined hotel near the French Quarter with afternoon tea and a notable art collection.
Explore New Orleans →Why Carnival
Basel's Fasnacht, a UNESCO-listed tradition, starts with the 4 a.m. Morgestraich.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~43°F (6°C); cold
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
Rhine-side hotel with roots dating to 1681.
Hotels in Basel →Why Carnival
Santa Cruz de Tenerife's Carnival is one of the largest in the world, with warm Canary Islands weather.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~70°F (21°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Clifftop resort with a golf course and Michelin-starred dining.
Hotels in Guía de Isora →Why Carnival
Cádiz's Carnival is Spain's most famous, known for its witty street singers.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~61°F (16°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$
Seafront parador with ocean-view pools.
Hotels in Cádiz →Why Carnival
Quebec's Winter Carnival is the world's largest winter carnival.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~19°F (-7°C); cold, snow
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Iconic castle hotel above the St. Lawrence in Old Quebec.
Explore Quebec City →Why Carnival
Viareggio's giant satirical floats parade along the seafront over several weekends.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~55°F (13°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- Moderate · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Seafront hotel on Viareggio's promenade.
Hotels in Viareggio →Why Carnival
Uruguay's Carnival is among the world's longest, with candombe drumming through the Barrio Sur.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~82°F (28°C); warm
- Crowds · season
- Moderate · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Restored 1921 casino hotel on the Carrasco waterfront.
Hotels in Montevideo →Why Carnival
Lucerne's Fasnacht begins on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday with masks and Guggenmusik bands.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~41°F (5°C); cold
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
Lakefront grand hotel since 1845.
Explore Lucerne →Why Carnival
Düsseldorf's Rose Monday parade is known for its satirical political floats.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~45°F (7°C); cold
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
Luxury hotel on the Königsallee.
Hotels in Düsseldorf →Why Carnival
Malta's Carnival fills Valletta with colorful floats in the days before Lent.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~61°F (16°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- Moderate · Shoulder
- Price level
- $$$
Grand hotel just outside Valletta's city gates.
Hotels in Malta →Why Carnival
Goa's Carnival, a Portuguese-era tradition, brings parades to Panjim in the dry season.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~90°F (32°C); dry
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Mediterranean-style beachfront resort in South Goa.
Explore Goa →Why Carnival
Aruba's Carnival season builds to the Grand Parade in Oranjestad during the dry season.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~84°F (29°C); dry
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$$
Adults-only resort on Eagle Beach.
Explore Aruba →Why Carnival
Mobile's Mardi Gras, the oldest in the US, fills downtown with parades for weeks.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~64°F (18°C); some rain
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Restored 1852 landmark in downtown Mobile.
Hotels in Mobile →Why Carnival
Galveston's Mardi Gras parades and balcony parties in the Strand district.
- Typical weather
- Highs ~64°F (18°C); mild
- Crowds · season
- High · Peak
- Price level
- $$$
Historic hotel in the Strand district with a rooftop bar.
Hotels in Galveston →
