A riot of color, music, and delightfully exuberant festivities, Carnival is the biggest party of the year in Venice, New Orleans, and Rio de Janeiro
Whether it is Carnevale in Venice, Carnival in New Orleans, or Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, this annual celebration bombards the senses with a dizzying swirl of rich colors, vibrant music, and the spirit of extravagant fun. Originally a Christian occasion marking the final days of feasting before Lent’s 40-day fast – carne-vale is Latin for “farewell to meat” – it is now a not-to-be-missed experience for globetrotters intrigued by the festival’s mystical allure.
Venice has celebrated Carnevale since the 11th century, and still today an otherworldly, ancient energy fills the city’s misty passageways during the festivities. Partygoers emerge wearing ornate and lavishly decorated masks, glittering with crystals and gold and silver adornments. Some striking masks are a nod to the long, curved beak of the bird-like masks worn by doctors during the years of the plague. Saint Mark’s Square becomes a living stage where costumed revelers roam and mask contests are held.
To join, stop by the Ca’Macana shop, where artisans draw upon precious fabrics, gold and silver leaf, and Swarovski crystals to create luxurious papier-mâché masks by hand. Atelier Marega rents elaborate costumes and elegant masks for the festivities.
A unique experience is the sight of the colorful boat flotillas that row along the canals each Carnevale. Visitors will want to secure a coveted ticket to the opulent Gran Ballo Mascheranda at Palazzo Pisani Moretta, the most famous masquerade ball in the world.
Across the globe in New Orleans, they call Carnival season Mardi Gras, and authentic celebrations take place all across town, where large-scale parades roll out beneath majestic oak tree-lined avenues. All are welcome to attend and see for themselves the friendly revelry as marching bands compete to blast rhythms that create an electric air of excitement.
Mardi Gras parades can involve lavishly decorated floats, or trailer trucks, which look like works of art, such as those by Kern Studio artisans. Their floats are stored at Mardi Gras World, a warehouse where visitors can look at them up close. During parades, these floats might be lit up like snapping alligators or undulating dragons, and aboard them, masked participants throw beads and cups to the crowds below.
Unique to New Orleans Carnival are the hand-beaded costumes of the Mardi Gras Indians, a cherished local subculture whose artisanry is on display year-round at the Backstreet Cultural Museum. The city’s Carnival also has its own special dessert: the king cake. Most bakeries create their own version, but a favorite comes from Dong Phuong, a Vietnamese bakery that is a testament to the city’s diverse Carnival experience.
In Rio de Janeiro, Carnaval falls during the southern hemisphere’s summer, and as a result the Brazilian celebrations, while similar to Venice and New Orleans, have a uniquely tropical edge. In Rio, most Carnaval festivities are street blocos – loosely organized, come-as-you-are gatherings where a cacophony of partygoers dons colorful bikinis and tutus, dancing to trumpeted music. Anyone can join in, and bumping among the participants are street vendors selling everything from vodka-infused ice pop to quail-egg soup.
Brazil’s showcase Carnaval event takes place in the Sambodromo, a stadium runway where the big samba schools – music and social organizations like Mangueira, Salgueiro, and Portela – parade until dawn. Joyful exuberance is the vibe and these performances are taken very seriously; samba schools are judged on their original music, costumes, and overall showmanship. Many groups welcome newcomers, who can pay to wear an elaborate costume that might include a massive headpiece or a feathered headdress. With the roar of the crowds of the Sambodromo in your ears as you sashay through, it’s an incredible experience.
Barkus Pup Parade
One Sunday during Carnival, while the bigger parades roll through the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, on the other side of town, a smaller, cuter, fluffier parade kicks off: The Mystic Krewe of Barkus dog parade.
Pups in fun costumes strut through the French Quarter dressed as, for example, “Dolly Paw-ton” and “Prince Hair-y.” Each year a queen and king are named and carried through the neighborhood in regal carriages and velvet robes, with crowns and tiaras balancing over their ears.
In irreverent Carnival spirit, the event is overseen by the town’s favorite TV weather lady, and dog owners walk alongside, handing out treats to the puppy spectators. The organization is also a fundraiser for animal welfare causes, making the parade an unmissable Mardi Gras experience for animal lovers.