While some cities more or less die out during the winter, others celebrate it with carnivals, where reindeer costumes seem much more appropriate than feathers and tiny bikinis.
Quebec
From January 23 to February 3, there is the annual Saint Paul Winter Carnival in Saint Paul Minnesota, which according to the modest organizers is ‘The Coolest Celebration on Earth’.
They probably disagree in Quebec, where the annual Quebec Winter Carnival (or Carnaval de Québec) begins on February 1. It is the biggest winter Carnival in the world and for 17 consecutive days, the approximately one million participants will celebrate anything cold such as dog sleigh racing, skiing and snow bathing! There will also be an amazing ice palace as well as the compulsory ice sculptures.
Prague
In Europe it is also carnival time. Venice has its world famous annual carnival from January 25 to February 5 and Prague has a Bohemian Carnival from January 31 to February 5. Despite the fact that none of these carnivals celebrate the winter, we can guarantee you (from bitter experience) that it can get chilly in Venice and Prague in February.
Rio
If you are carnival addict and need your fix of samba but despise cold weather then do not panic – Rio de Janeiro never lets you down! This year’s Rio Carnival is in the period of February 2-5. You could also go further down south to the Argentine town of Gualeguaychú, which dresses up for carnival on Saturdays during the months of January and February (sometimes also in March).
Author David Rich Momondo