The 4 Largest Carnival Celebrations On Earth

Rio de Janeiro: The biggest carnival in the world takes place in Rio De Janeiro. Carnival in Rio paralyzes the city of 6.5 million people, it also attracts 500,000 foreign visitors. Each day, 2 million people take to the streets to participate in the festivities. Why has Rio become the biggest carnival in the world? Brazilians like to party, and in the temperate temperatures of tropical Rio, that means partying all year round. Another factor is the history of Samba, who’s famous schools concentrated around Rio, and made carnival into the superbowl of samba music and dancing. Lastly, Brazil is one of the most affluent countries in Latin America and the colonized world. It has the money to support huge events, unlike it’s less fortunate colonial cousins like Angola or Peru.

Venice: while attendance statistics are unclear, Venetian carnival has been running for a very long time, and has been the most attended carnival before Brazil’s boom. Venetian carnival still pays tribute to it’s Renaissance-era roots. Italy is too cold to dress in the fringe and lace of a samba queen, so revelers don capes and other heavy gear. Other accessories would be woe to wear in the tropics as well: powdered wigs and masks fill the famous gondolas of Venice’s canals all through carnival.

London: Notting Hill Carnival in the U.K. claims to be the second-largest carnival in the world. It attracts a diverse crowd, drawing from the large African and Caribbean diaspora that inhabit London. In fact, London might be the most representative carnival in the world, as it features over 50 troupes, many from from different regions. And oh my is it a party: in past years, Notting Hill partygoers are said to have consumed over 25,000 bottle of rum and 800,000 servings of beer.

Barranquilla: Colombia’s largest carnival also claims to be the second-largest in the world. Revelers are treated fire-eating, juggling and petaled showers at the “Battle of the Flowers.” In this year’s event, attendees were showered with party favors: candies, religious pamphlets, and condoms. Those gifts epitomize the spirit of carnival, which is part binge with a flavor of religion and a whole lot of lust. Despite the latex party favors, Barranquilla is a vanguard of folkloric tradition, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site, in part for the displays during carnival.