Culture

European Carnival Traditions

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Updated:4/9/2026
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Carnival
City
Country
Held Since
Signature
Known For
Carnevale di Venezia
Venice
Italy1,162Bauta and Colombina masksElaborate 18th-century costumes, masked balls at palazzos, pre-Lent celebration in St. Mark's Square
Kolner Karneval
Cologne
Germany1,823Rose Monday parade (Rosenmontag)Fifth season of the year, massive street party, Kolle Alaaf chant, sweets thrown from floats
Basler Fasnacht
Basel
Switzerland1,376Morgenstraich at 4am MondayUNESCO heritage, piccolo and drum guilds march by lantern light, three days, protestant carnival
Carnaval de Nice
Nice
France1,294Battle of the FlowersFrench Riviera's biggest winter event, giant papier-mache heads, flower-throwing parades
Carnaval de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Spain1,605Queen of the Carnival crowningSecond largest carnival in the world after Rio, Canary Islands celebration with rivaling street parties
Carnaval de Binche
Binche
Belgium1,549Gilles in wax masks and ostrich plumesUNESCO heritage, Gilles throw oranges to crowds, costumes forbidden outside Binche
Patras Carnival
Patras
Greece1,829Treasure Hunt and Grand ParadeLargest event in Greece, over 40,000 participants, closes with Bourboulia masked ball for women
Carnival of Viareggio
Viareggio
Italy1,873Giant papier-mache satirical floatsPolitical caricatures up to 20m tall, Tuscan beach town carnival, month-long celebration
Carnaval de Malmedy
Malmedy
Belgium1,459Haguetes and long pincersFour days of medieval costumes, Haguetes pinch spectators with wooden tongs, Walloon tradition
Ivrea Battle of the Oranges
Ivrea
Italy1,808Orange throwing battleCommemorates medieval uprising, 9 teams on foot pelt cart-riders with oranges, 500 tons of fruit used
Carnaval de Dunkerque
Dunkirk
France1,676Herring throwing from the town hallFishermen's carnival, huge crowds in striped costumes and umbrellas, Cap d'Abord drumbeats
Fasching Munchen
Munich
Germany1,700Dance of the Market WivesBavarian version of Fasching, Viktualienmarkt dance on Shrove Tuesday, costumed Munich bar crawl

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