Which Countries Celebrate Carnival: Popular Destinations To Book Now

If you want to know which countries celebrate Carnival, this post is for you. From New Orleans to Brazil, it’s a bucket list experience for the books. When it comes to traveling during these times, it’s necessary to book in advance so that you have the right accommodation ready to go. It’s hard to decide exactly which country/city to visit, so without further ado, a list of countries that celebrate carnival, so you can experience something new this year.

Which Countries Celebrate Carnival? The History of Carnival

Carnival originates as an ancient Egyptian pagan festival. It has evolved to a more Catholic celebration, marking the beginning of Lent. Celebrated in more than 50 countries, it is known for lively parades, colorful costumes, and festive activities. Carnival season typically falls between January and March and also marks the beginning of the spring season as it celebrates new life, change, and transformation. With unique traditions in different countries, such as samba blocks in Brazil, masked balls in Italy, and winter activities in Quebec, Canada, celebrating in one country isn’t enough.

Which Countries Celebrate Carnival?: Africa

1. Luanda, Angola (February 16 & 17, 2026). Angola is the world’s oldest celebration of Carnival. Its origins date back to 1162. The Latin expression ‘carne levare’ translates to ‘remove meat’ which is why people give up meat during this time. For more information, check it out here.
2. Lagos, Nigeria: (April 20th, 2026). So much influence from modern-day Carnival comes from Africa. From the extravagant costumes to the dances and more. Visiting the birthplace of Carnival is a must! For more information, read more about it here.

Which Countries Celebrate Carnival? : The Caribbean

1. Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (February 16-17, 2026). What started as locals being banned from celebrating, to getting emancipated, and creating a carnival festival, is a testament to how determined the people are. The festival has a two-day parade with community parties around the area. For more information on its history, check it out here & here & here & here
2. Bahamas (Bahamas Carnival May 17th-May 20th, 2026 4 & Junkanoo 12/26-1/1). The Junkanoo Carnival marks the three days that slaves were officially emancipated. Check out more information here. Looking for fun things to do in the Bahamas? Check out my post: Best Things To Do In Nassau Bahamas.
3. Barbados (First Monday of August). Also known as Crop Over, this festival celebrates the end of the harvesting of sugar cane and takes place on the first Monday of August. They celebrate with music and dancing & more! For more information, check it out here
4. Aruba: (November 11 – February 16th, 2026 [Mostly Feb 8th -16th]): Since slavery was abolished earlier than other countries (in 1863), this country was one of the first to celebrate Carnival. For more info, check it out here & for the full schedule, check it out here

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Which Countries Celebrate Carnival: The United States

1. New Orleans (February 17, 2026). The festivities date back to the 17th & 18th centuries, with origins from Medieval Europe. Thanks to French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, who started the festivities. Since then, it’s grown in popularity, so check out more info right here.
2. Miami (Oct 3-11th, 2026): For more information on celebrating all the festivities, check it out here & here

European Carnival Celebrations

1. Venice, Italy (February 7-17th, 2026). The Venice Carnival began in 1162 as a victory celebration, and as time went on, it became an excuse to have a lot of fun! For more information, check it out here, and for a comprehensive guide to Carnival in Venice, check it out here.
2. Basel, Switzerland (February 23rd to 25th, 2026). Did you know that this celebration is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List? Roots from this carnival date back to Celtic and Germanic origins. With medieval jousts and religious festivals before Lent, visiting is a bucket list experience! For more information, check it out here.
3. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (February 11 – 22nd, 2026). Did you know that in 1987, the carnival festivities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife broke the Guinness world record when 250,00 people came out to celebrate? It’s time to see it for yourself. For more information, check it out here.

Best Places To Celebrate Carnival In The World: South America

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (February 13-21st, 2026). There is really no carnival like the one in Brazil. In this case, learning about the history is better seen than told, especially at the Sambodromo festivities. For more information, check it out here.
2. Gualeguaychú, Argentina (January 3-February 28th, 2026). The carnival festivities used to not be as extravagant; however, once the town got together to propose a parade, they charged a fee to raise money, “and even imported carnival bands from outside areas”. For more information, check it out here.
3. Barranquilla, Colombia (February 14-17, 2026). Its origins date back to post-Spanish conquests, where afro-descendants would celebrate life with dancing, music, playing instruments, and wearing costumes. For more information, check it out here.

There You Have It

Celebrating Carnival has never been easier, and with this guide on the best places to celebrate, you’ll have to start making plans and booking them. I particularly hope you enjoyed learning about the history of the festivities as well. It was very insightful to learn just how different the origins of these celebrations vary depending on the country! That’s my favorite part about doing this research is learning and debunking myths/stereotypes. Let me know which carnival celebration you’re most excited about, and start messaging the group chats!

Veronica

Hi everyone! My name is Veronica, but you can also call me Vee! I grew up in the iconic city of Brooklyn, NY, the cultural hub of the world, and hence learned about so many different cultures. It was those experiences that inspired me to travel and from then on, I had learned the power of travel. In return, I want to give others that same experience, to help inspire others to unleash their inner travel enthusiast no matter the trip.

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