Europe has some of the most spectacular carnival celebrations around the world. Here are our top picks for must-see carnival festivities, ranging from the colourful festivals in Spain to the festivities in Switzerland.
Experience the vibrancy of some of Europe's most spectacular carnival celebrations in the following cities:
This iconic festival in Spain only has one rule: have fun! The fiesta is held in Santa Cruz De Tenerife in February each year. The city comes to life for 15 days in a vibrant mix of rhythm, colour, flamboyancy and luxury. One of the most significant events is the gala to elect the Carnival Queen, which is held on the Wednesday of the first week of festivities.
In this glamorous competition, all the candidates gather on a 1.200-square-metre stage, wearing fantastic costumes that can weigh more than 100 kilos. Along with the gala, there are dozens of musical groups that swell through the streets in a multicoloured, melodic blur. The festival ends with “Pinata Chica” with splendid shows, dances, and parades.
The Cologne Carnival has a unique commencement: it is declared 11 minutes past 11 on November 11, the 11th month of the year. The carnival is then suspended for Advent and Christmas, and it picks back up after January 6. The real bustle of the carnival doesn’t start until “The Crazy Days”, which go from Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday, before the beginning of Lent.
During this week, visitors in fancy dress descend en masse, occupying the many never-ending parties that fill the streets of Cologne. The climax of the festival is on Rose Monday, when the city centre is filled with a parade with over 70 decorated floats from which costumed paraders throw sweets, flowers, and other various small gifts to the crowd. For an entire week, people can be seen singing, dancing, and parading through the streets, pubs, and restaurants of Cologne.
One of the most renowned celebrations all around Europe is the Viareggio Carnival, a stunning beachside town on the Versilia Coast in northern Tuscany, which is known for its extravagant displays. The floats presented at this carnival are 20 metres high, made of papier mache, and reflect a different theme each year. The parades take place along the seaside boulevards, which are transformed into a two-kilometre circuit.
The carnival is not simply just a party; it is a celebration of the Viareggio people, seamlessly blending tradition and art and displaying the important history and culture of Viareggio. Along with the famous floats, there are costumed parties that rock all the clubs of the city for an entire month. The marvellous spectacle can be summed up by the famous phrase of the Tuscans: “A carnevale, ogni scherzo vale” which translates to “at the carnival, anything goes!”
The carnival in Nice is one of the largest events of its kind in the world, and it is usually held sometime between late February and early March. The celebration has very long roots, having records that go all the way back to 1294, which may make it one of the oldest carnivals in the world. The modernised version of the carnival was established in 1873, when masquerades, satirical floats and competitions were implemented.
Now, the two-week event attracts over 1 million people every year, with a specific theme and intricately designed floats that parade through the streets day and night. In addition to the floats, flowers are very important to this carnival, and there are traditional flower parades that are included in the celebrations.
For a great carnival closer to home, Basel hosts the largest carnival in Switzerland, Basel Fasnacht. The carnival takes place over three unique and wild days. The carnival always reserves space to discuss sociopolitical topics, stories, and current events in the proud, witty, and humorous manner that is traditional to the Basel people.
The carnival starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, in complete darkness at 4am; then, the “Morgestraich” transforms the city centre into a sea of hand-painted, illuminated lanterns, accompanied by the music of thousands of pipers and drummers. This continues until Thursday morning at 4am.
The Schnitzelbank singers comment on political and social events with self-penned songs, known for their witty verses and clever rhymes. The carnival ends with Endstreich: all the participants go all out and play a final march to mark the end of the Basel Carnival. The variety of this carnival makes it a great event for families with children.
These are some of the most exciting carnivals in Europe, and there is no shortage of fantastic festivities to take part of, so plan your visit today!