When you think about Mardi Gras, you might imagine vibrant colors, outrageous costumes, and exuberant celebrations—particularly the fun of the biggest Mardi Gras parades around the world. This celebration of excess and indulgence is both the culmination of Carnival season and the prelude to the fasting period of Lent, observed by many Christians. The name Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday) comes from the French for “Fat Tuesday” because nothing is forbidden on this day, which precedes forty days of fasting.
Explore some of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the world, learn what makes each one unique, and learn what languages and cultures are key to fully participating in the celebrations.
Table of Contents
1. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You just can’t think of Carnaval (“Carnival” in Portuguese) without giving a nod to the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the world, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The location of famous festivities since sometime in the 18th century, the city is expected to host millions of visitors each year between the 15th and 21st of February, with a lavish festival of parades, music, and dancing. Visitors to Brazil’s most dazzling seaport crowd Rio’s streets, attend blocos (street parties), enjoy bandas (bands), and attend the dazzling parades.
One word you need to know how to pronounce before you go is samba (SAHM-buh). Samba is more than just a dance or a rhythm, especially during Carnaval. Several elite samba schools compete at the Sambódromo, an outdoor stadium built for the purpose of hosting the gigantic floats, magnificent costumes, and elaborate creativity of Rio’s Samba schools.
Buy your tickets in advance to see some of the world’s biggest Mardi Gras parades from the grandstands, boxes, or suites to view the parades.
2. Masquerade Balls in Venice, Italy
Carnevale di Venezia (“Carnival of Venice” in Italian) will be held between January 31-February 17, 2026, with an Olympic theme. For fans of Mardi Gras parades, don’t miss the festivities on the canals of Venice with the Corteo Acqueo (water parade), which may not be one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades, but is certainly the most aquatic.
A holdover from the Renaissance, this Italian Mardi Gras celebration is known for elaborate masquerade balls, featuring gorgeous, intricate maschere (masks). After King Frances II outlawed Carnival in 1797, the masks were forbidden for centuries, but reemerged in the nineteenth century. When the ban on Carnival was lifted in 1979, creating masks became a full-time occupation for the robust Venetian tourism industry.
A contest, called the La Maschera più bella (the most beautiful mask), will be judged by international fashion designers, and the best competitors are featured in a parade on martedì grasso (“Shrove Tuesday” in Italian).
3. Cajun Carnival in New Orleans, Louisiana (US)
Two weeks of street parades and festivals culminate in a world-famous Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Louisiana Cajun French and French Creole are still widely spoken. The unofficial motto of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the French phrase Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll).
While you may think this holiday is all about the debauchery of Bourbon Street, locals will tell you that the best way to enjoy New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) is to head up to the Frenchman Street jazz clubs. Don’t forget to enjoy a good bowl of gumbo while you’re there.
Immerse yourself in purple, green, and gold during the biggest Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. This year, they are held during most of January and February, with each parade featuring a different “krewe,” a private organization or club that organizes the exquisite floats and performances.
4. Creole Celebrations in Cape Verde, Africa
Unrestrained parades and a vibrant tradition of music are the hallmarks of African Mardi Gras celebrations. The São Vicente Carnival celebration in Mindelo is often compared to its Brazilian counterpart in Rio. Known as Pequeno Brasil (little Brazil), it’s home to one of the biggest parades in Africa, with an explosion of color, rhythm, and culture. The five-day party in Mindelo in 2026 features five days of celebration, with parades to open and close the competitions.
Get to know some Cape Verdean Creole, known as Kabuverdianu, with its pronunciation of Bonjour (like “bon-jew”). This specific dialect, classified as a Portuguese-based Creole language, has a rich history and is still a first language for many.
5. Battle of the Flowers in Nice, France
Not to be outdone by their Italian neighbors, Nice hosts one of the most floral French festivals. This glamorous city of the French Riviera gets decked out in elaborate, blossoming parade floats that take over the streets. The Bataille de Fleurs, a French phrase that means “Battle of the Flowers,” takes place beside the sea on the famous Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English).
According to Carnaval de Nice, the spectacle has been transmitted via television since 1966, but being there in person is the only way to experience the fragrance of the over 250,000 fresh stems of flowers, arranged and pinned to the floats in the 72 hours preceding the event. While you’re in Nice, you can enjoy everything else that France is known for.
6. Cumbia music in Barranquilla, Colombia
This Spanish-speaking city, nestled near the Caribbean Sea, has its own Batalla de flores (Battle of the flowers) toward the beginning of this extravaganza of desfiles (parades), bailes (dances), and celebrations in la calle (the street). Brush up on your Spanish with ease, because Colombian Spanish is one of the easiest dialects to learn.
Because it hosts some of the biggest Mardi Gras parades and more, the Carnaval de Barranquilla has been named by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. An important part of the celebration is listening to cumbia, a musical fusion of Caribbean, African, and European influences.
7. Carnival in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago
The islands of the Caribbean, such as Trinidad and Tobago, have a vibrant Carnival tradition headlined by Calypso and Soca music. Among the Mardi Gras parades, masquerade and costume contests, and fiery theatrics are celebrations called j’ouvert. Short for jour ouvert (day open), this celebration features people who cover themselves in mud, oil, and paint and dance for hours to Soca rhythms.
8. Carnival in Goa, India
Brought to this Indian seaport by the Portuguese, Carnival has become a mesh of traditions, blending Mardi Gras and other Indian festivals like Holi. Celebrations in Goa feature vibrant colors, parades, and feasts. If you hear the Hindi phrase bura na maano, you may want to duck. It translates into “no offense,” and it’s typically what the locals say before they lob a color bomb your way.
9. Carnival in Quebec City, Canada
Inherited from French Mardi Gras celebrations, this winter version of Carnival can seem a bit tame in comparison, but it is every bit as lovely. Events include fashioning sparkling snow sculptures and outdoor sporting events and competitions. The mascot of Quebec’s Carnival is a snowman named Bonhomme, short for bonhomme de neige (snowman) in French. He hosts not only Canada’s biggest Mardi Gras parades, but also many other winter activities in one of the biggest French-speaking countries.
The snowman master of ceremonies will introduce cold-weather enthusiasts to the festivities this year from February 6-15, 2026, including the ice palace, night parade, and many family-friendly activities in the frigid environment.
Frequently asked questions about Mardi Gras
The nine celebrations in this guide are just the beginning. Each location brings its own customs, costumes, and musical genres to the experience.
Where are the biggest mardi gras celebrations in the US?
Mardi Gras celebrations aren’t limited to New Orleans. Many cities and even small towns in the US host Mardi Gras themed celebrations. Check out St. Louis, Missouri, Mobile, Alabama, Galveston, Texas, or Portland, Oregon.
How many Mardi Gras parades are in New Orleans?
Depending on the year, you can choose from over 40 different parades, spanning several routes around the city. There are even parades in nearby cities if you can’t make it all the way to NOLA.
What are some fun Mardi Gras activities?
You can bring the fun of Mardi Gras celebrations home with golden coin hunts, mask decorating, music and dancing, or learning the rest of the days of the week in French.
Some bakeries sell “Kings’ Cakes” at this time of year, typically a ring-shaped cake decorated with purple, green, and gold, and containing a hidden “baby” or bean. Whoever finds the baby gets to wear a crown or host the next party.
What is the date of Mardi Gras?
The date varies from year to year as it’s tied to the date of Easter, another important French holiday, which is affected by the spring equinox. Mardi Gras is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, and can shift between February 3 and March 9.
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