Festivals in February

25 of the world's notable festivals fall in February, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania. Biggest draws include Rio Carnival, Carnival of Venice, Mardi Gras.

Rio Carnival
1
Rio Carnival
Feb–Mar (before Lent) · Rio de Janeiro
The world's biggest carnival — samba parades in the Sambadrome and millions in the streets.
Carnival of Venice
2
Carnival of Venice
Feb (two weeks before Lent) · Venice
Elaborate masks and masquerade balls in the canals of Venice.
Mardi Gras
3
Mardi Gras
Feb (Fat Tuesday) · New Orleans
Pre-Lenten carnival of parades, beads and jazz in New Orleans.
Sapporo Snow Festival
4
Sapporo Snow Festival
Early February · Sapporo
Giant snow and ice sculptures draw millions to Hokkaido.
Trinidad Carnival
5
Trinidad Carnival
Feb–Mar (before Lent) · Port of Spain
The Caribbean's most famous carnival, birthplace of soca and steelpan.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
6
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
First weekend of February · Chiang Mai
Floral floats and parades fill Chiang Mai at the end of the cool season.
7
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
22 February & 22 October · Abu Simbel
Sunlight illuminates Ramesses II's inner sanctuary twice a year.
Oruro Carnival
8
Oruro Carnival
Feb–Mar (before Lent) · Oruro
UNESCO Masterpiece carnival famous for the Diablada dance.
Barranquilla Carnival
9
Barranquilla Carnival
Feb–Mar (before Lent) · Barranquilla
Colombia's UNESCO-listed carnival, second only to Rio.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
10
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival (Feb) · New Taipei
Thousands of wish-lanterns released into the sky in Pingxi.
Chinese New Year
11
Chinese New Year
Jan–Feb (new moon) · China
Lunar New Year with feasts, lion dances, lanterns and fireworks.
Kumbh Mela
12
Kumbh Mela
Jan–Mar (every 3–12 years) · Prayagraj
The largest religious gathering on Earth, where millions bathe in sacred rivers.
Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
13
Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
Jan–Feb (lunar new year) · Vietnam
Vietnam's most important holiday, welcoming the lunar new year.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
14
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Feb–Mar · Sydney
One of the world's largest Pride parades and LGBTQ festivals.
Cologne Carnival
15
Cologne Carnival
Feb (Rose Monday) · Cologne
Germany's 'fifth season' street carnival in Cologne.
Nice Carnival
16
Nice Carnival
February · Nice
The French Riviera's flower-battle carnival.
Goa Carnival
17
Goa Carnival
Feb–Mar · Panaji
India's Portuguese-rooted pre-Lenten carnival.
Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao)
18
Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao)
15th day of Lunar New Year · China
Lanterns and riddles close the Chinese New Year period.
FESPACO
19
FESPACO
Feb–Mar (odd years) · Ouagadougou
Africa's largest film festival.
Quebec Winter Carnival
20
Quebec Winter Carnival
Feb · Quebec City
The world's largest winter carnival, led by Bonhomme.
Carnival of Viareggio
21
Carnival of Viareggio
Feb–Mar · Viareggio
Tuscan seaside carnival famous for giant satirical floats.
22
Sauti za Busara
February · Zanzibar
East Africa's premier music festival in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
23
Adelaide Fringe
Feb–Mar · Adelaide
The southern hemisphere's largest arts festival.
24
Virgen de la Candelaria
February · Puno
Puno's massive festival of folk dance around Lake Titicaca.
25
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Jan-Feb (lunar new year) · Bangkok
Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown erupts with lion dances, lanterns and street food.