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Masked revelers, gyrating hipsters and large floats congregate in the streets for one reason- because its carnival time! Traditional festivals are featured all over the world to immerse tourists and locals alike in culture through song, dance and sultry costumes. Whether you're drenched in the Caribbean sun or set in the presence of a century-old palace, these next eight carnivals are determined to put on a great show. So if you think you can party all day and all night, you'll want to ditch the club for a reveling adventure.
Barbados: Crop Over
When you're the biggest sugar producer in the world, of course you'll want to celebrate the end of the season in a grand way. Well, that's how the residents of Barbados felt during the 1780's after working tirelessly in the fields. However, once the sugar industry died down so did the need to celebrate. That was until 1974 when the festival erupted onto the streets of the country like never before, cultivating a month-long celebration that concludes every first Monday in August with the colorful Grand Kadooment festival.
Even the smoldering Caribbean heat or the pounding of rain can't keep revelers from painting their faces and dressing in their over-the-top costumes for hours of dancing and singing to the vibrant rhythms of calypso. Once this tie-dye sea of partygoers has made their way to their final destination, Spring Garden, the Designer of the Year award is given to the costume designer who depicts their band's theme exquisitely. As the icing on the cake, the sea peacefully waits for those at the end of the celebration who want to soak away the exhaust from parading all day. And who knows you may even see Barbadian singer Rihanna celebrating amid the crowd.
Trinidad and Tobago: Carnival
When you're excluded from a party, what should you do? Sit at home and cry about it? Or create the most beautiful extravaganza in the region? For the indentured servants and slaves of Trinidad and Tobago they opted to host a celebration of their own because they were excluded from participating in masquerades organized by French plantation owners.
What exploded out of their need to party is such a huge phenomenon you'll need every bit of energy to witness this combustion of colors flowing throughout the entire country. On Feb. 16-17 (Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), a euphoric spirit takes over, causing some revelers to strip their clothes off for a chocolate or mud covered costume or a devil-inspired outfit at J'Ouvert. Carnival culminates with a street parade that is not necessarily suitable for the weary partier because once the steel pans and soca music reverberate through the air, sultry-dressed dancers put their hips in motion by twerking uncontrollably to the vivacious music.
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro's Carnival
There's one place where you'll be so immersed in the Brazilian culture, there will be no escape in sight. But what else would you expect from a city observed as the 'Carnival Capital of the World?' Rio de Janeiro offers an unforgettable musical adventure that will begin next year on Feb. 28 to March 4. During this five day celebration even the quietest neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro come to life with the vibrations of Samba as elaborate and towering costumes make their way down the streets- each more amazing than the last.
Of course you'll need to be well rested before stepping a foot unto Rio's Carnival in order to party like a Brazilian. And if you think you're partying days are far from over, there's no time like the present to purchase a costume and dance your heart out to the sounds of Brazil.
Germany: Karneval
If you thought New Orleans is the only place to experience Mardi Gras, you may want to think again. Germans know how to party it up too, especially at Karneval which rivals the biggest street parades of the world. Like most festivals, it derives from religious beliefs and takes part in the areas dominated by the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. But once you're in the midst of these revelers, who apparently seem high on life, you'll see why Karneval is such a revered celebration.
Planning for Karneval, also known as the "Fifth Season", officially begins on Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m. However, the festival commences 40 days before Easter and goes out with a big at the beginning of Lent of every year. Karneval wouldn't be a one-of-a-kind show without a few quirky events like the "Women's Carnival" which gives ladies the opportunity to pucker up to any male they find attractive as long as they cut his tie off first. Also, Rose Monday celebration allows partygoers to poke fun of politicians. And in true festival fashion, the procession is flooded with entertainers, floats and flamboyantly dressed celebrators marching through Germany's quaint the streets.
Carnaval de Panama
When in Panama, party like Panamanians is the theme that encompasses Carnaval de Panama. That said, that's definitely will you be obliged to do, especially when you're surrounded by a swarm of colossal floats and people partying so hard you'll want to keep up with their rhythmic movements. Commencing four days before Ash Wednesday, this Latin American spectacle honors the traditions of its pagan and catholic history by adorning the streets of Panama City and Las Tablas in a variety of colors resulted from confetti and appealing attires that capture everyone's attention.
As the folklore spirit of the carnival flows through the air, the routine competition of the best costumes and floats breaks out among "high street" and "low street" revelers. So you'll want to make your way to this festival to see which competitor brings their A-game.
France: Carnival of Nice
After facing a brutal winter you too would want to welcome spring with open arms. So why not show your appreciation for the season with a huge get-together?
On Feb. 13 to March 1the Riviera will kick off the celebration of spring on the premises of the Riviera like never before. That's because 18 floats will bob and weave through the psychedelic crowd of dancers and musicians. Even flowers get in on the action during the Flower Parade, with thousands of fresh carnations, roses, daisies, mimosas, gladioli and so much more grasping onto every inch of the floats and colorfully decorating the participants of the spectacle.
But the celebration doesn't stop here. Nights are also bombarded with the loud stomps of costumed revelers and colossal floats parading through the streets. Fireworks join the stars in the sky, illuminating the streets and smiles of excited spectators with each blast in the air. As one of the biggest parties to grace Europe, the Carnival of Nice is a must-see festival.
Italy: Carnival of Venice
This is one masquerade you'll want to dress up in your fanciest digs to feel like an insider at this exquisite spectacle. The city of Venice transforms into a world romanticized by elaborate balls, poetry and world-class performers, which make the carnival seem more like a sophisticated circus by the way acrobats, jugglers and actors all freakishly welcome their guest to the past.
Set against the backdrop of an ancient castle, the striking Renaissance-style garments go hand-in-hand with the historic vibe exuded throughout the entire festival. From Jan. 31-Feb.17, you too can become a part of this mythical celebration with just a beautiful mask, vintage costume and perhaps a wig. While other festivals are known for their wild dancing and scantily dressed clothing, the Carnival of Venice is one celebration where the more unnoticeable you are and the more mysterious your outfit appears to be, the better.
London: Notting Hill Carnival
Believe it or not, the British like to party hard too, and this is quite evident at the Notting Hill Carnival. At the end of August during the Bank Holiday, the sounds of steel bands and calypso bring celebrators of London and beyond out to Notting Hill to celebrate the heritage of the Caribbean.
Bringing their love for a good party across the ocean, the experience here is matched with vibrant clothes a euphoric spirit and traditional wild dancing through the streets. You'll want to capture an eyeful of this rainbow-speckled show, or at least bring your dancing shoes to party like the carousers here.
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