While New Orleans rightfully gets attention for its Mardi Gras festivities, other locations within the United States and around the world also know how to go all-out to celebrate before Lent begins. Across the globe, Mardi Gras celebrations take on different names (think Carnaval or Carneval) and meanings, and even carry on longtime traditions or adopt new ones. From the Americas to Europe and through the Caribbean, go on a global journey to discover how destinations spend their days ahead of Ash Wednesday in truly colorful splendor.
Sorry, New Orleans. This port city along Alabama's Gulf Coast is said to be the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States. The story goes that the first Mardi Gras celebration happened in 1703, then a man named Joe Cain got it going again after the Civil War by putting on a spur-of-the-moment street parade. Since then, Mobile's Mardi Gras has grown to encompass a festive scene that's also family-friendly. Beginning two-and-a-half weeks before Fat Tuesday, the busy schedule includes a ton of grand parades led by various organizations. And of course, Joe Cain gets his due: Sunday is known as Joe Cain Day, and he gets his own procession!
Head to Venice during Carnevale di Venezia, a two-week celebration that turns this waterside city into a circus spectacular. What makes this party so magical is that carnevale-goers wander around dressed in elaborate masks and clothing replicating nobility and attend masquerade balls and events, including processions and a best-masked costume competition.
The origins of this festival are said to date back to 1162, when Venice won a major victory over the Patriarch of Aquileia and the locals gathered to celebrate and dance within San Marco Square. This occasion became a Venetian tradition that would continue until being strictly forbidden in 1797. Luckily, it was fully restored in 1979.
Held in this port city near the Caribbean Sea, Carnaval de Barranquilla can hold its own against Rio in attracting visitors with its four-day extravaganza. In honoring Colombia's indigenous folklore and African culture, this carnaval puts on different types of events that bring out people from all walks of life and talents, incorporating dance, singing, and even comedy. Its first day, called Batalla de Flores (Battle of Flowers), features a grand procession of floats led by an appointed Queen of the Carnaval, plus folk and dancing groups. Its last day is marked by Joselito se va con las cenizas (meaning "Joselito leaves with the ashes"), when a character named Joselito is given a funeral procession; his passing marks the end of the occasion.
While carnivals are held throughout Brazil, the Carnival in Rio De Janeiro gets much attention as visitors from around the globe come to watch colorful processions. Watch street celebrations happening all over the city, in which everyone gathers to enjoy the pulsating music and dance. Then samba schools, which consist of dance groups, perform on the Saturday and Sunday portions of the festival at the Sambadrome, a stadium where these routines take place. It's definitely a show you don't want to miss, with an impressive combo of color and sound, vibrant costumes, and gigantic parade floats. So, how did this party get started? Its origins go back to Brazil's colonial period with the arrival of the Portuguese, and it initially was influenced by the entrudo, a Portuguese festivity preceding Lent.
Known as the "fifth season of the year," the Cologne Carnival is listed as kicking off on Nov. 11 but apparently gets a resurgence on the Thursday before Lent. It's also got a nickname: the "crazy days." Perhaps it might be due to people celebrating within public squares with festivities. Held on a Thursday, Weiberfastnacht (translated as Women's Carnival) is a day for the ladies, in which they show they're in charge by wearing fun outfits and cutting off men's ties. Guys who remain good sports about their sudden loss get rewarded with a kiss (also known as Bützchen). Another major day is Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, in which a huge parade starts off in the morning from the Severinstorburg, a city gateway, with marching bands and participants on floats throwing small tokens such as flowers and sweets to crowds while en route.
This southern Belgian town has an approach to Mardi Gras dating back to the 14th century that gets a bit peculiar. Known as the Carnival of Binche, the main characters of this pre-Lenten celebration are the Gilles, a clown-looking, waxy-masked bunch of males who are seen on a day known as Shrove Tuesday wearing tunics, trousers, and clogs. These guys parade around on the afternoon of that day and give out oranges to onlookers. Along with having some precarnival festivities six weeks before the actual event, including marching and musical performances, the Carnival of Binche welcomes other noteworthy costumed groups, known as societies such as the Arlequins and Pierrots.
This Gulf Coast city goes Texas big on Mardi Gras festivities, apparently stating to have the third largest celebration of its kind in the United States. With the first event happening in 1871 and put on by two rival Mardi Gras societies, this tradition went up and down in planning over time until 1985, when it was restored to its full splendor. Galveston's 2020 edition will feature numerous concerts, parades (with some catering to families), balcony parties, and elegant masked balls. Just check on the festival schedule to see if you need to buy tickets, then dress up in fun and flashy attire.
Part of the Lesser Antilles, this French Caribbean island carries on its Carnival all the way into Ash Wednesday. While beginning in January, with parties and a Carnival queens parade happening every weekend, the full festivities start on Fat Sunday, or Dimanche Gras. On this day, Martinique is full of daytime parades, with marchers in costume and carrying fancy-dressed puppets known as bwa bwa. Monday is a day for "mock weddings," in which men and women trade places wearing wedding attire. Then Tuesday gets a bit devilish; it's known as Red Devils Day, and groupings of red-wearing figures dance about until sundown. Finishing up on Ash Wednesday, revelers wear black and white to mourn the end of this festive period.
Known as "Mas Domnik," the festivities happening within this commonwealth in the Caribbean are a feast of calypso music, carnival competitions, and activities all leading up to two days of what's known as street jump-up. About a month prior to these festivities, Carnival formally starts with an official opening parade and ceremony, with the noted — and final — dates being on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Started by Catholic Europeans in the late 1700s — then with freed slaves getting engaged in celebrations through masquerades, dancing, and singing in the streets — present-day highlights include Afrikulture Stilt Walkers and parades such as a large street party known as J'ouvert.
