Carnival Season Kicks Off Around the World

By chang - February 11, 2014

By law, float riders at Mardi Gras must always be wearing a mask.
New Orleans starts celebrating Mardi Gras on February 15.
One of the most anticipated events during the Venice Carnival is the boat parade.
A reveler covered in paint for j’ouvert in Trinidad and Tobago.

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It’s Carnival season again, with the biggest celebration kicking off in Rio de Janeiro on February 28. Here are four more to look out for, rollover the images and use the arrows for more
By Christi Hang

Carnival of Venice
Cloaked, masked figures and a water parade of beautifully decorated boats floating down the Grand Canal make this carnevale a standout. On land, there are events for the entire family including an ice-skating rink at Campo San Polo, a theatrical walking tour uncovering the city’s secrets, and daily parades filled with clowns, music, dancing, and costume contests. This year’s Carnival, which starts on February 15 and lasts for two and a half weeks, takes on an international flavor thanks to its theme: fairy tales and fantasy—both delightful and frightful—from around the world.