Not just a festival, a carnival is a celebration of joy and a showcase of expression. And did we mention the costumes? Call your tailor and book your flight there now, stat.
Nice, on the French Riviera, kicked off this year's global carnival season Saturday, February 11, along with Venice, Italy, which brought the Cannaregio canal to life with an aquatic show ahead of festivities on February 18. Here are four carnivals to check out.
The Carnival of Venice
Where: Venice, Italy,
When: February 18 to 28
What to wear: To experience the Venice carnival is to step out in one of the famous masks for which the carnival is renowned (although there's no obligation!). Private lessons held in the Italian city teach the Venetian art of paper mache mask-making. Otherwise, masks can be bought or rented from various stores. Look out for the famous long-nosed mask, the Colombina half-mask or Burano lace masks.
What not to miss: Festivities culminate on the last day of the carnival, February 28. Head to Saint Mark's Square to see the Maria of the Carnival ceremony, then watch the Flight of the Lion. This tradition involves sending a huge Venice flag sailing over Saint Mark's Square from the bell tower above.
Kölner Karneval
Where: Cologne, Germany
When: There are several stages to the Cologne Carnival, including Women's Carnival Day on February 23, Rose Monday on February 27 and Ash Wednesday on March 1.
What to wear: There's no set theme to Cologne Carnival. All of the wackiest ideas are welcome, with carnival-goers slipping into costume as anything from clowns to pirates and more. Traditionally, it's good form to make your costume yourself.
What not to miss: The high point of Cologne Carnival is Rose Monday, with a parade starting from 10am. A million spectators in fancy dress are showered with sweets, small bouquets of flowers and pecks on the cheek.
Rio Carnival
Where: Rio, Brazil,
When: February 24 to 28
What to wear: While the Rio Carnival is celebrated throughout the city streets, for the full experience head to the Sambodrome to watch the dance schools' parades. You'll need to buy a ticket and be sure to order a costume well in advance to strut your stuff alongside the samba school dancers as they parade through the stadium.
What not to miss: The "samba parade" is the most spectacular event of the Rio carnival for tourists experiencing Mardi Gras in the Brazilian city for the first time. Students from the best samba schools parade through Rio's Sambodrome, a kind of samba stadium, where ticket-holders can grab a seat and enjoy the show.
Notting Hill Carnival
Where: Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom
When: The UK's Summer Bank Holiday weekend, usually the last weekend of August. This year it falls August 27 and 28.
What to wear: The Notting Hill Carnival is distinctly Caribbean in flavour. Some consider it Europe's equivalent to the Rio Carnival, although the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, in Spain's Canary Islands, is also a colourful affair. Feathers and sequins take to the city streets for Monday's parade. Carnival-goers can take inspiration from the elaborate costumes and dress up for the occasion.
What not to miss: The biggest parade closes the carnival on Bank Holiday Monday, a public holiday in the UK. The sound of steel drums, soca and calypso create a vibrant, electric atmosphere, fragranced with the aromas of Caribbean cuisine. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, since the parade runs from 10am to 8:30pm, then the party continues in all corners of West London.
(Related: Where To See And Be Seen In 2017)