The World stage is set for the grandest celebrations of the year- The Carnivals

The season of carnivals has arrived and here’s a list of a few carnivals celebrated in different part of the world with grandiose. Visit these carnivals and be a part of the utmost merriment accompanied by music,dance,parades and delicious delicacies.

Rio Carnival 

When: 28 February – 4 March, 2014
Where: Rio, Brazil

Best time to visit Brazil is during its grand carnivals. Carnival, is an annual event in the Roman Catholic tradition celebrated before the peaceful 40 days of Lent penance which culminates with Holy or Passion Week and Easter. Although Carnival is celebrated in towns and villages throughout Brazil and other Catholic countries, Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the world. Elegant and

extravagant in every aspect, Rio carnival is incorporated with music and dance. Street parades, blocos and bandas are held throughout the city of Rio during carnival. The carnival parade is filled with revellers, floats and adornments from numerous samba schools. Various samba schools compete to organize best floats, costumes, lyrics, aesthetics and great music to depict their themes. The floatees have the most luxurious and expensive costumes, music and dancing street festivals are very common during carnival with two million people on the streets every day.

Cadiz Carnival
When: 27th February- 9th March
Where: Spain
The 10 day-long street party, Cadiz Carnival attracts thousands of visitors to Spain for a grand celebration. Featuring various street shows, delicious gastronomical delights, parades accompanied by music and dance, theatre performances, humorous lyrics and much more Cadiz Carnival is simply euphoria. The light-hearted fun and entertainment of the Carnival of Cadiz makes it a unique fiesta. It is mandatory to wear fancy costumes and dress up elegantly during the Carnival. There are two parades where the public become an active part of the multi-color cavalcade. The Gran Cabalgata(Great Parade) on the first Sunday, runs down the avenue at the entrance to the city and brings tens of thousands of people together. The second is the Cabalgata del Humor (Comedy Parade), which runs through the old town on the last weekend. The “charangas ilegales” are another characteristic element of the Cadiz Carnival. They usually come together in Plaza de las Flores. This March ensure a trip to Spain to participate and witness this age-old glorious tradition.

Carnival – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
When: 4th March – 9th March
Where: Canary Island, Tenerife

Portraying grandiose in its appeal Santa Cruz Carnival is the best of its kind celebrated in the picturesque Canary Island in Tenerife. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the most “Brazilian” of all the Spanish carnivals, and it is famous all over the world for its extravagance. Several months are spent in preparation for this dazzling event held in all seven Canary Islands. The occasion begins after the conclusion of the most prestigious pageant for electing the head monarch. Beauties across the land dress up in glamorous clothes to contest for the position. Celebrated with music, dance and grand parades this festival is undoubtedly a major tourist attraction in Tenerife. Burial of the Sardine marks the end of the festivities. Pulsating rhythm, spectrum of vivacious colors and flamboyance create most brilliant spectacle.

Carnaval de Barranquilla
When: 1st March – 4th March
Where: Barranquilla, Colombia
Spectacular samba dance performances, rocking music, delicious delicacies and grand parades welcome you to Carnaval de Barranquilla in the picturesque destination of Colombia. UNESCO honored the carnival of Barranquilla by declaring it a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Rejoice in the ethnic ambience of the region during the august event. A perfect fusion of European, African and Indian culture, the Carnival of Barranquilla continues for four days before Ash Wednesday and reaches its climax the following Saturday during the Batalla de las Flores (battle of the flowers).

So pack your bags and rush to rejoice this season!