Europe’s most beautiful carnivals

In Europe, the month of February celebrates Carnival, real tradition whose origins come from the Christian religion under which, at the end at the week of seven days, Shrove Tuesday would be the day of all kinds of abuse just before the fast and abstinence period. Over the centuries, the carnival kept its festive character, magnified by the local customs of each country. Today it is a nice way to pay tribute to creativity, art, and conviviality.

The Carnival in Nice

Seen as one of the biggest carnivals in the world, the Nice Carnival is in full swing for 2 weeks. From the Place Massena to the Promenade des Anglais through the Cours Saleya, the entire city puts on its best costumes, while the grand floats parade between the flower battles and the street performances

Nota bene: For more folklore, the Nice Carnival selects a different theme each year, and in 2017 it’s the “King of the media”.

Dates: February 11th to 25th, 2017

The Carnival in Paris

Since the Middle Ages, Paris celebrated “Shrove Sunday” every year whose tradition comes from a scrolling ox head to symbolize the start of the harvest. Fanfares, puppets, music… From Saint Germain to Montmartre, all Paris districts are covered with confetti  

Note: Just like in Nice, Paris Carnival elects a theme. For this year, it’s ”The fantastic aquatic world” theme.

Date: February 26th 2017

The Carnival in Venice

The reputation of the exquisite Venice Carnival is well established. In the floating city, the masks have no equal as the historical and fanciful costume full of magic and poetry. Here the atmosphere is festive and refined: balls, dances and plays plunge the mysterious masked  venetians and their visitors into another world.

Date: January 18th to February 28th, 2017

VENICE CARNIVAL AND CASANOVA TOUR

The Carnival in Rome

Beautiful Rome is also of its finest trappings for Carnival: for two weeks, all the energy and good humor Italian make a crazy wind between Piazza Navona, the Colosseum and the Vatican. But the apotheosis of the Carnival takes place during the opening procession of the Via del Corso which features a spectacle not to be missed.

Dates: February 18th to 28th, 2017

The Carnival in Prague

Like the traditional old Bohemian feasts, Prague celebrates Shrove Tuesday for centuries by organizing parades, masked balls and various shows. One can easily imagine the eccentric genius Mozart disguise and headed swirling in the Nerudova street or the Charles Bridge

Dates:January 18th to February 28th, 2017

The Carnival in Madrid

For the Spanish capital, the carnival is also a great opportunity to make party. One of Madrid’s specialties is the Parade of Clowns accompanied by a large orchestra and extending the street from Bravo Murilloin to Almansa. Many shows, concerts and exhibitions are also organized throughout the city, mainly in the district of Tetuán

Dates: February 24th to March 1st, 2017

The Carnival in London

Although London Carnival is in August, it still deserves its place in this list. Organized in the famous Notting Hill, it symbolizes the multiculturalism of the British capital. The highlight of the show is the cosmopolitan parade through the streets of Portobello, during which one can admire traditional dances from around the world

Dates:  August 27th to 28th, 2017