Celebrating Carnival throughout the world
Costumes, dancing, music, and parades are all part of the annual celebration of Carnival in many countries throughout the world.
Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, marks the end of this weeks long celebration before the beginning of Lent.
- Bolivian indigenous men participate in the Anata Andina (Andean carnival) in Oruro February 27, 2014. Hundreds of ethnic groups from Oruro province participated in the carnival. (Gaston Brito/Reuters photo)
- A Bolivian indigenous man participates in the Anata Andina (Andean carnival) in Oruro February 27, 2014. Hundreds of ethnic groups from Oruro province participated in the carnival. (Gaston Brito/Reuters photo)
- A Bolivian indigenous man takes pictures during the Anata Andina (Andean carnival) in Oruro February 27, 2014. Hundreds of ethnic groups from Oruro province participated in the carnival. (Gaston Brito/Reuters photo)
- Women dressed in costumes for “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival) celebrate in Cologne February 27, 2014. Women’s Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters photo)
- Women dressed in costumes for “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival) pose in Cologne February 27, 2014. Women’s Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters photo)
- Women dressed in costumes for “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival) celebrate in front of Cologne’s Cathedral February 27, 2014. Women’s Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters photo)
- A woman dressed in a costume for “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival) smiles in Cologne February 27, 2014. Women’s Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters photo)
- A woman dressed in a costume for “Weiberfastnacht” (Women’s Carnival) celebrates in Cologne February 27, 2014. Women’s Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters photo)
- A costumed man celebrates the street carnival in Duesseldorf, western Germany on February 27, 2014. Germans, mainly in the western Rhine region, crowd the streets to celebrate carnival. (Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images)
- A costumed woman celebrates the street carnival in Duesseldorf, western Germany on February 27, 2014. Germans, mainly in the western Rhine region, crowd the streets to celebrate carnival.(Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images)
- People dressed in carnival costumes celebrate the street carnival in Duesseldorf, western Germany on February 27, 2014. Germans, mainly in the western Rhine region, crowd the streets to celebrate carnival. (Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images)
- Women dressed in carnival costumes celebrate the street carnival in Duesseldorf, western Germany on February 27, 2014. Germans, mainly in the western Rhine region, crowd the streets to celebrate Carnival. (Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images)
- A nominee for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, on the main stage, shows off her outfit under the watchful eyes of the jury in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 26, 2014. The dresses are more than five meters high and over 80 kilos in weight. The over one-month-long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, children and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- A nominee for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, on the main stage, shows off her outfit under the watchful eyes of the jury in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 26, 2014. The dresses are more than five meters high and over 80 kilos in weight. The over one-month-long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, children and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- Nominee Carmen Desire Garcia poses for photographs at backstage before her performance on the Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Gala on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year . Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee Carmen Veronica Gil Perez prepares at backstage for her performance on Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Gala on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year . Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Veronica Gil Perez performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee Amanda Perdomo poses for photographs at backstage before she was elected as Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revelers every year. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee Amanda Perdomo poses for photographs backstage before she was elected as Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee Ana Belen Sepulveda prepares backstage for her performance on Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Gala on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year . Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee Gara Ramos stands on stage after her performance on Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Gala on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year . Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Amanda Perdomo celebrates after being elected Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Amanda Perdomo (Left) reacts as she sees designer Daniel Pages (Right) after she was elected Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Carmen Desire Garcia performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Paula Delgado performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Suleima Martin performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Suleima Martin performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Ariana Mejias performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Rocio Benitez performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings thousands of revellers every year. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Yolanda Mendoza performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Noemi Hormiga performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Noemi Hormiga performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- A nominee for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, on the main stage, shows off her outfit under the watchful eyes of the jury in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 26, 2014. The dresses are more than five meters high and over 80 kilos in weight. The over one-month-long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, children and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- Nominee for Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz carnival Nuria Garcia performs on February 26, 2014 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings every year thousands of revellers. Santa Cruz is the closest European equivalent to the Brazilian Carnival from Rio Janeiro. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)
- Dancers perform on the main stage in the battle of the troops contest during the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 22, 2014. The over month long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, childrens and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- Dancers perform on the main stage in the battle of the troops contest during the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 22, 2014. The over month long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, childrens and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- Dancers perform on the main stage in the battle of the troops contest during the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 22, 2014. The over month long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, childrens and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. (Desiree Martin/Getty Images)
- A dancer smiles as she performs along a street of Montevideo’s Sur neighbourhood, on the first night of the “Llamadas” (Calls) carnival parade, on February 13, 2014. The “Llamadas” is Uruguay’s biggest carnival parade, in which “comparsas” — group of dancers and drummers of the traditional “candombe” music — compete in two nights of parades.(Pablo Porciuncula/Getty Images)
- A dancer and drummers perform in a street of the Sur neighbourhood in Montevideo, during the second night of the “Llamadas” (Calls) parade on February 14, 2014. The “Llamadas” is Uruguay’s biggest carnival parade, in which “comparsas” — groups of dancers and drummers of the traditional “candombe” music — compete during two nights of parades. (Pablo Porciuncula/Getty Images)
- A dancer performs in a street of the Sur neighbourhood in Montevideo, during the second night of the “Llamadas” (Calls) parade on February 14, 2014. The “Llamadas” is Uruguay’s biggest carnival parade, in which “comparsas” — groups of dancers and drummers of the traditional “candombe” music — compete during two nights of parades. (Pablo Porciuncula/Getty Images)
- The Queen of Carnival float makes it way through the crowd during the Carnival parade in Nice February 15, 2014. The 130th Carnival of Nice runs from February 14 to March 4 and celebrates the “King of Gastronomy”. (Olivier Anrigo/Reuters photo)
- Dancers perform during carnival in Encarncion, 375 km south of Asuncion on February 15, 2014. The “Llamadas” is Paraguay’s biggest carnival parade, in which “comparsas,” groups of dancers and drummers compete. (Norberto Duarte/Getty Images)
- Dancers perform during carnival in Encarncion, 375 km south of Asuncion on February 15, 2014. The “Llamadas” is Paraguay’s biggest carnival parade, in which “comparsas,” groups of dancers and drummers compete. (Norberto Duarte/Getty Images)
- French actor Gerard Depardieu (Left) and Nice’s mayor Christian Estrosi attend the Nice Carnival parade on February 14, 2014 in Nice, southeastern France. The Carnival starts on February 14 and will last until March 4, 2014. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- A float named “Ride bene chi ride ultimo” featuring representations of political leader Silvio Berlusconi parades during the carnival in Viareggio on February 16, 2014. (Fabio Muzzi/Getty Images)
- The “Pantegana” (Big Rat) sails on the Grand Canal for the traditional regatta which officially opens the Carnival on February 16, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The 2014 Carnival of Venice will run from February 15 to March 4 and includes a program of gala dinners, parades, dances, masked balls and music events. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
- Rowers dressed with costumes take part in the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal which officially opens the Venice Carnival on February 16, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The 2014 Carnival of Venice will run from February 15 to March 4 and includes a program of gala dinners, parades, dances, masked balls and music events. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
- A woman dressed in Carnival Costume poses in front of gondolas in Saint Mark’s Square on February 25, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The 2014 Carnival of Venice will run from February 15 to March 4 and includes a program of gala dinners, parades, dances, masked balls and music events. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
- Two women dressed in Carnival Costumes pose in Saint Mark’s Square on February 25, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The 2014 Carnival of Venice will run from February 15 to March 4 and includes a program of gala dinners, parades, dances, masked balls and music events. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
- A woman dressed in Carnival Costume poses in Saint Mark’s Square on February 25, 2014 in Venice, Italy. The 2014 Carnival of Venice will run from February 15 to March 4 and includes a program of gala dinners, parades, dances, masked balls and music events. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
- A costumed reveller poses on St Mark’s square during the carnival on February 23, 2014 in Venice. The 2014 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled ” Wonder and fantasy nature” and runs from February 15 to March 4, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/Getty Images)
- A costumed reveller wearing a mask depicting Munch’s famous painting “The Scream” poses near St Mark’s square during the carnival on February 21, 2014 in Venice. The 2014 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled ” Wonder and fantasy nature” and runs from February 15 to March 4, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/Getty Images)
- A costumed reveller poses near St Mark’s square during the carnival on February 23, 2014 in Venice. The 2014 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled ” Wonder and fantasy nature” and runs from February 15 to March 4, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/Getty Images)
- A costumed reveller poses on Saint Mark’s square during the carnival on February 21, 2014 in Venice. The 2014 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled ” Wonder and fantasy nature” and runs from February 15 to March 4, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/Getty Images)
- A cat takes part in the animals’ carnival parade “Blocao”, at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on February 16 , 2014. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)
- A dog takes part in the animals’ carnival parade “Blocao”, at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on February 16 , 2014. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)
- A man kisses his cat during the animals’ carnival parade “Blocao”, at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on February 16 , 2014. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)
- A dog takes part in the animals’ carnival parade “Blocao”, at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on February 16 , 2014. (Christophe Simon/Getty Images)
- Stilt-walkers perform during the Carnival of Delmas, in Port au Prince on February 21, 2014. (Hector Retamal/Getty Images)
- A fire-swallower performs during the Carnival of Delmas, in Port au Prince on February 21, 2014. (Hector Retamal/Getty Images)
- A woman in a colorful costume is pictured during the carnival parade in Bremen, northwestern Germany, on February 22, 2014. This year’s motto of the so-called ‘Samba Karneval’ is ‘Heimat?’ (home?). (Michael Bahlo/Getty Images)
- A woman in a colorful costume waves during the carnival parade in Bremen, northwestern Germany, on February 22, 2014. This year’s motto of the so-called ‘Samba Karneval’ is ‘Heimat?’ (home?). (Michael Bahlo/Getty Images)
- The “King” float parades during the Nice Carnival on February 25, 2014 in Nice, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- Dancers parade on February 25, 2014 during the Nice Carnival, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- A float named “Cheeses of Hollande” and featuring French President Francois Hollande waving a French flag with a clothespin on his nose parades during the Nice Carnival on February 25, 2014 in Nice, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. Signs on float read “pollution” and “unemployment”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- A float named “Angela’s euro sauerkraut” and featuring German Chancellor Angela Merkel parades on February 25, 2014 during the Nice Carnival, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- The “Queen” float parades during the Nice Carnival on February 25, 2014 in Nice, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)
- Dancers parade on February 25, 2014 during the Nice Carnival, southeastern France. The theme of this year’s carnival, running from February 14 until March 4, 2014, is the “King of Gastronomy”. (Valery Hache/Getty Images)