‘Don’t even think about not going in fancy dress:’ Readers’ favourite carnivals around Europe | Festivals

Wild weekends in southern France

After I traveled to the area for years, I finally reached Limoux Carnival Last winter. What took me a long time?! At the end of each week from January 25 to April 6, you can see dancers and musicians ignore around the Middle Ages Square in this beautiful city south of Carcassonne, wearing old clothes Perots And modern parking (Putin was shown last year), sweets were scattered. There can be no many carnivals that last for a long time in Europe. Parliament chants the scene with a bottle or two of Plancit de Limox, one of the oldest sparkling wine in the world, and an ideal accompaniment to chaos. A great place to stay soon MirepoixAnother Middle Ages for Creativity.
Samantha

The real spirit of Donkirk, France

Celebrating the seasonal departure of the fishing fleet, Dunkirk carnival (February 22 -8 March) consists of marches and balls of nature, General Julietti and chaos, which is fueled by beer, great pies and flares. Do not wear your most famous fashion (encouraging in the cross -style Panto), adding a pseudonym and paspasol, you are ready. Then just follow the band in the streets, sing the carnival songs, some in the local Patois, and some fruits for sure. To finish the evening, collect it around the band together until the last song from the Dunkirk Naval Captain and Privateer, Jean Bart. The carnival is not a scene of visitors, it is really common and local.
Peter Reynolds

A party for the prince in Cologne

For alternative carnival in Europe, one place – incredible Carnival for six days in Cologne (February 28-5). More than a million people visit regularly to the RosenMontag (Rose Monday, 3 March of this year). This has been operated for more than 200 years and covers about five miles from the city center. It contains everything: traditional buoys, gangs, colored dance sets, etc. D’r prinz kütt (The prince arrives). If this is not enough, sweets and processors are thrown until everyone can enjoy it.
Colin Snowland

Horses for courses, Sardinia

the Sartiglia from Oristano (2-4 March) is one of the best events on the island, and one of the oldest of it-started in 1478. An event that includes the identity and culture of Sardinia.
Judith Stone

The Italian scene is 631 years old

Venice carnival is the best known carnival in Italy. But Putignano in Puglia is one of the oldest. The first procession was held in 1394. The celebrations begin on December 26 with a large feast. After that two months of celebrations, it ends with a succession of the marches during the week before fasting (which starts on March 5). Each night up to 10,000 spectators comes to see the procession of buoys carrying huge paper cartoons. The big end will be held on the Shrove night on Tuesday with a “funeral” show that ends with 365 fees of the paper bell, before it is burned.
Scott h

Swiss Gambouri is unexpected

Basel’s visit was everything I expected; The place was organized, in paganism, and perhaps even a boring boy! until Carnival ((Mrs. Fasnacht10-12 March). In the early hours, the place was moving with people wearing costumes with tools, lanterns and torches. At four in the morning, he is still in the dark, the procession started. A lot of noise, music, lights, desserts and oranges. People moved to the bars and everything was more repeated, for children at back. An amazing and very expected experience. The next day, everything was cleaned and the streets were clean and clean and Swiss again.
Ruth Cobard

Satisfaction and song in cádiz

in Cádiz Carnival (February 27-9) The streets are vibrant, but what makes the unique scene is automatic satirical shows from local groups, Comparsas. Fashion celebrities celebrate local and broader political issues. Everyone is free to wear clothes and join, many domestic manzanilla wine. On a quieter day Del Carnaval Museum It provides an opportunity to learn more about this unique traditional event.
Cherry

Chaos in the square, near Rome

While we are in Rome, we followed the advice of a friend and visiting Poggio Marteto, a charming city of Hilltop, 90 minutes from public transport. She has two carnival celebrations: one of them is traditional and wild Carnevalone Liberato (It was held on January 1), which celebrates the liberation of the city from the papal state, at some point in the nineteenth century. The liberated version was pure chaos-an anti-treatment party, anything with dance, drinking, and outrageous costumes filled the square. It was a lot of fun! We were welcomed at the party and we felt the rebellion alongside fake nuns, etc. If you prefer something more traditional, hear the classic carnival coincides with the city’s brochetta festival …
Monia

The carnival by CandLelight, Malta

The Birgu annual lights festival turns this historic Maltese City into a glowing wonder. Unlike traditional carnival, the streets are only lit by thousands of candles, creating a magical atmosphere. Visitors wander through tight alleys, gravel decorated with lanterns, enjoying live music, traditional food and craftsmen. You can access early to explore the Fort Stw Angelo area before dusk, as Grand Harbour’s panoramic views are amazing and offer a perfect background to switch on candlesticks. The 2025 Festival will be held on October 10-11.
Lisa

A profitable advice: a sea of ​​foam in northern Spain

Avilés in northern Spain consists of narrow streets where each second building is a tape. The streets decrease into smaller and smaller corridors in the Venice when they are Antroxu carnival He runs. The event (from February 28 to March 4) is held in this street from the streets and reaches the degree of fever by SHROVE on Tuesday night when Calle Galiana is foam in the main show. Popies float, well, float. Like all the great festivals that you organized organically without a tourism council or a council. Tip: Don’t think not to go in a disguise dress. You will be the only one.
Vion