The four festivals of February
Do you like to wait for the craziness of the winter holiday season to die down? Fancy immersing yourself in culture and local communities?
Here’s our round up of events going on in February that will tantalise and top up your inspiration.
Carnival of Venice
Dig out your most flamboyant middle-ages style costume and mask and head to The Carnival of Venice. Celebrated for 10 days, between Ash Wednesday and Shrove Tuesday, people flock from all parts of the country, Europe and America to be part of this giant masked ball and festival that takes over the city.
Typically around 8th-25th Feb
The Rio Carnival
Arguably Brazil's most famous national holiday, Rio de Janeiro has got to be a bucket-list destination to experience the festival in full samba swing. With over two million people on the streets daily, you need to research and plan the area of town you want to be in. Be sure not to miss the Sambadrome Parade, it’s enormous and features dancers and floats from all of Rio’s samba schools.
’Soak up the music, parades, open air performances and food and lose yourself in the spirit of celebration.’
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Traditionally taking place on the Tuesday before the first day of Lent, Mardi Gras translated means Fat Tuesday and is traditionally the day with the most extreme celebrations. People line the streets of New Orleans to watch the samba parade and attempt to catch a ‘throw’ - a popular tradition whereby the parade performers throw beads and presents into the crowd. The whole town gets into the spirit of partying, music food and good times. Originially designed to rid any bad behaviour before Lent begins, it’s a phenomenal display of music and talent to immerse yourself in.
Chinese New Year
January 29th in 2025, but mainly falling in February, the Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the world, however the most iconic place for this has to be Beijing. Dragons, dancing, parades, performance, food and music. The city is awash with colour and celebrations. Light lanterns and join in with the revelrry as their New Year begins …