Ana M. López
Research expert covering travel, tourism and hospitality
Carnivals worldwide - statistics & facts
Why do many countries around the world celebrate Carnival? The origins of this festivity can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations held around February that involved feasting, drinking, and merrymaking. When Christianity became the dominant religion in Europe, it adapted these festivals to its traditions, with the carnival season usually leading up to the 40 days of Lent.
The word "carnival" comes from the Latin expression "carnem levare," which means "farewell to meat." It refers to the period of celebration that occurs before the Christian season of Lent, during which people traditionally abstain from meat and other indulgences. Today, the carnival has evolved into a time of revelry and celebration, featuring parades, parties, costumes, and more.
The word "carnival" comes from the Latin expression "carnem levare," which means "farewell to meat." It refers to the period of celebration that occurs before the Christian season of Lent, during which people traditionally abstain from meat and other indulgences. Today, the carnival has evolved into a time of revelry and celebration, featuring parades, parties, costumes, and more.
Main carnivals in the Americas
One of the most famous carnivals in the world takes place in Brazil, with its main hub in the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro. Each year, thousands of people (1108195) participate in the five-day samba rave. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago holds one of the most popular carnivals in the Caribbean. During the 2023 edition of the Carnival, the event attracted over 27 thousand visitors in the previous year. This translated into a significant economic impact of more than 400 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars, considering the expenditure of international tourists during the Carnival season. In Barranquilla, Colombia, almost five million Carnival revelers came together in 2023, while famous Mardi Gras parades rolled in the streets of New Orleans that year as well after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Main carnivals in Europe
Each February, the Italian city of Venice turns into a parade of costumes and masks, attracting thousands of tourists. In 2023, the tourism volume in the city of Venice during the Carnival month amounted to nearly 335 thousand in total, which even surpassed the tourism volume registered in the same month of 2019. Interestingly, most visitors to that Carnival are not Italian residents. Further north, Berlin and Cologne held the largest Rose Monday parades during the German Fasching.
