4 Party Hotspots for Mardi Gras
The big Mardi Gras parade in Rio de Janeiro had to be canceled in 2022 due to corona - but the carnival will still take place. And it's happening all over the world, from Europe to America: We present four of the absolute hotspots for parades, parties and antics for this year's Mardi Gras.
11 February 2022
Mardi Gras in America: Mardi Gras in New Orleans
In upbeat New Orleans, the "cradle of jazz," impressive and varied parade floats roll through the city's neighborhoods on Mardi Gras Sunday. They are decorated by the Mardi Gras clubs, the Krewes, carefully prepared weeks in advance.
This ranges from horse parades that are not for young people of the Krewe of Vieux, about the early risers of the North Side Skull & Bones Gang to the dog parade of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus. Flambeaux acts often demonstrate their traditional art of flaming. Definitely worth seeing!
On Mardi Gras, the streets of New Orleans come alive. © Cayetano Gil
In the French Quarter, night owls in daring costumes take to the streets, clubs and pubs. Art exhibitions, costume contests, balls, numerous concerts and picnics also take place.
When do people celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is rung in on Monday evening, Lundi Gras, by the king of Mardi Gras "Rex". Celebrations take place on March 1 - but it's worth arriving two to three weeks in advance to be there for the first events.
Highlight:
In addition to the countless parades, one should by no means miss the Endymion Extravaganza in Caesar's Superdome - this year Maroon 5 and Diana Ross are headlining the stage there.
Good to know:
The official greeting on Mardi Gras Days is the French Cajun phrase "Laissez les bon temps rouler" ("Let the good times roll").
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Mardi Gras in New Orleans. © Samuel Dixon
Accommodation in New Orleans: Maison de la Luz
In the luxurious suites of the Maison de la Luz in the French Quarter, you leave the hustle and bustle behind. Spaciously furnished in the style of the southern states, with floor-to-ceiling windows and many selected details, feeling good is the order of the day here. Fine dining is available in the hotel's two restaurants, and the Alto Rooftop Pool Bar provides a view over New Orleans.
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Maison de la Luz
546 Carondelet Street, 70130 New Orleans, Louisiana
Tel.: +1 504 814 7720
Web: maisondelaluz.com
Price: from € 402/night, 2 persons
Italian Carnival: Carnival in Venice
Casanova, Venetian masks and elegant dresses come to mind: whoever takes part in the Venice Carnival , does so with tradition and style. The Italians have been celebrating the festival since the 13th century, over time it has become more and more pompous - and is still one of the most sought-after in the world today.
A colorful spectacle: Carnival in Venice has a long tradition - but the event is not at all dusty. © Pascal Riben
Throughout the "City of Masks" one finds artistic performances, concerts, operas and balls in magnificent palaces and colorful Rowing boat removals in the canals. During the day you go into the narrow streets of Venice and let the colorful hustle and bustle of the crowd carry you away.
When do you celebrate Carnival in Venice?
In the lagoon city, the festivities start on Saturday evening with the Festa delle Marie and 12 girls in Renaissance costumes at the Gran Teatro. On February 12 the Angel Flight officially rings in the fooling season from the bell tower, the carnival reaches its climax on Shrove Tuesday, March 01.
Highlight:
The clear highlight is the crowning of the most beautiful costume on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. "Il Concorso della Maschera più bella" takes place in the afternoon in Piazza San Marco.
The election of the most beautiful costume is one of the highlights in the lagoon city. © Eugene Zhyvchik
Good to know:
The traditional venetian Half mask, often richly decorated with golden ornaments, originally comes from the Commedia dell' arte. Together with a cape and the Italian tricorn, one took it to all important occasions.
Accommodation in Venice: Il Palazzo Experimental
Clean, modern, bright: Located in the heart of the Dorsoduro district, right on the Canal Della Giudecca, Il Palazzo Experimental offers spacious design rooms with terrazzo floors and eye-catching marble accents. The Experimental is a bit off the beaten path, allowing for relaxing hours after all-nighters - such as in the hotel's courtyard-side garden.
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Il Palazzo Experimental
Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1411, 30123 Venice, Italy
Tel.: +39 041 098 0200
Web: palazzoexperimental.com
Price: from € 250/night, 2 persons
The Carnival in Bolivia: Carnaval de Oruro
Bolivia is the land of diversity: Tropical rainforests can be found here as well as the azure Lake Titicaca, the snow-covered Andes or the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. And also the carnival: in the mining town of Oruro invite the inhabitants every year to the lively Devil's Carnival to the Andes Massif. Their much-visited "Carnaval" is a mixture of Catholic customs and indigenous Rites.
Trip to the Bolivian Andes leads to a carnival of a special kind. © Shutterstock
The ConjuntosThe local dance groups organize festive parades with bandas, large marching bands, dance for the Virgen del Sovacón, the virgin of the mine tunnels, and celebrate Dios Momo, the god of fun. The big highlight on Shrove Monday is the Diablada.
When do you celebrate the Carnaval de Oruro?
The religious festivities start on carnival saturday and last for three days.
Highlight:
At Diablada, also known as Dance of the devils, the performers dress up as devils, dragons, snake and bird creatures from prehistoric times. An impressive spectacle of colorful costumes that harkens back to pre-Columbian ritual dances.
The Diablada is among the highlights in Oruro. © Shutterstock
Good to know:
In 2001, the Carnival of Oruro was included in the list of the UNESCO Cultural heritage recorded.
Accommodation in Oruro: Virgen del Sovacón
Due to its remote location, Oruro offers little in the way of accommodations. The Virgen del Sovacón stands out in the small selection of the contemplative mountain village, the rooms are quite cozy compared to other local hotels. It will certainly not be really glamorous here - a relaxing night after the long festivities of the Diablada can still be spent at the Sovacón.
The Virgen del Sovacón is venerated at the Devil's Carnival - and is also the namesake of the lodging in Oruro. © Shutterstock
Virgen del Sovacón
Junín 1179, Ouro, Bolivia
Tel.: +591 2 5282 184
Web: hotel-virgen-del-socavon.ratedhotels.co
Price: from € 260/night, 2 persons
Caribbean Carnival: Mardi Gras in Trinidad & Tobago
At the end of February, in the immediate vicinity of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago is ruled by the caribbean carnival. In the Port of Spain on Trinidad, lavish celebrations take place, huge, fancy costumes and colorful masks bob to the beat of rousing rhythms. The Caribbean island nation dubs its carnival "biggest show in the worldin London.
A blaze of color, sequins and feathers: The Mardi Gras in the Caribbean is in no way inferior to the one in Rio. © Holger Woizick
Here, participants find themselves under showers of cocoa and color, among swirls of drums and people barely covered by glittering sequins and feathers.
When do you celebrate Carnival Trinidad & Tobago?
From February 28, the Rose Monday, to including March 01 the Port of Spain in Trinidad is the place to be. But also in the days before the Caribbeanisland already lures with countless parties and events.
Highlight:
From Shrove Friday to Ash Wednesday, Trinidad celebrates non-stop. After that you relax on Tobago with its white sandy beaches and palm groves.
Caribbean carnival under palm trees: After the debauchery in Trinidad, revelers are drawn to Tobago. © Renaldo Matamoro
Good to know:
The rousing music heard during the raucous festivities is called "Soca". The music style combines calypso with soul, funk and Indian rhythms and originated in the early 1970s.
Accommodation in Trinidad & Tobago: The BRIX
The 5 star hotel BRIX at the Port of Spain captivates with elegant, Caribbean-contemporary charm. The bright, spacious suites and rooms offer a retreat for those who want to leave the wild fooling season at the door for a few hours.
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The BRIX
2-4 Coblentz Avenue, Cascade, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel.: +1 868 612 4000
Web: thebrixtrinidad.com
Price: from € 170/night, 2 persons
Carnival, Mardi Gras, Fastnacht & Fasching - what's the difference?
Carnival in Venice, Mardi Gras in Austria and Mardi Gras in New Orleans - all have one thing in common: Mardi Gras. © Llanydd Lloyd
- Mardi Gras: The French term for "Fat Tuesday" actually means Shrove Tuesday. In the meantime, however, "Mardi Gras Season" is used synonymously for the entire carnival season.
- Carnival: Also known as the "fifth season," the term carnival is common in Germany. Jokingly, many often interpret it as "carne vale!" (i.e.: meat, farewell!) as a celebration of fasting before Lent.
- Fas(t)night: Fasnacht or Shrovetide, the evening before Lent begins, is common in parts of Germany, western Austria and Switzerland.
- Carnival: Bavaria and Austria celebrate the Festival of Fools every year anew as Fasching. The origin of the word lies in the last alcoholic beverage before Lent ("Fastenschank"). The highlight, as everywhere else, is Shrove Tuesday.
