Get the dust off your masks, the Carnival festivities have begun! When is carnival celebrated? Taking place between February and March, this celebration spins our daily lives with parades, parties, and costumes. Carnival is a well-known festivity in every corner of the Earth. From Mardi Gras to the Venetian carnival tradition, it brings light, colo...
Data extracted from the Freepik search engine from the last year.
Masquerade ball
This collection of masquerade ball photos whispers elegance and mystery. Use them to design invitations that spark curiosity and sophisticate marketing materials for promoting your brand. These photos speak louder than words!
Brazilian Carnival
Feel the cultural vibrancy of the Brazilian Carnival in high-resolution color, bringing definition to your Carnival projects. Such impactful imagery will look fantastic as a feature on a website or social media post, bringing about high volumes of traffic.
Venetian Carnival
The Carnival of Venice is the place where opulence and elegance go hand in hand. Velvet, lace, bauta and Medico Della Peste are the protagonists of this colorful selection of photographs. Your campaigns and projects will be full of life thanks to them.
Carnival costumes
Surrender to Carnival! Feel the energy that this festivity exudes and get the most colorful disguises and resources ready. Transform yourself into Mari Antoinette, Julius Caesar, a priest, or a beggar, and let your imagination run free with these high-quality pictures.
Carnival background
The party never ends when you make it your computer’s background! Scroll and discover Freepik’s selection of Carnival backgrounds and include them in your TV’s, computers, billboards and even presentations.
Carnival poster
Streets are covered in confetti, glitter and music — but also in tons of posters! Select the ones that suit your Carnival event best and customize it. Download, print your top design and gather everyone in your party!
Carnival banner
Make your website, social media and online business more Carnival-ish with our selection of Carnival banners, featuring all kinds of designs, colors, shapes and even costumes — ready to be shared and celebrated!
Carnival logo
Step into the spotlight with this Carnival logo collection. Celebrate the uniqueness of your brand and use these logos to inject energy into your projects, from social media banners to event promotions. Explore the art of distinction!
Symbols
Masquerade Mask
Mardi Gras Beads
Confetti
Feathers
Oh, the mystery! Venetian Masks allowed their wearers to conceal not only their individual identities, but also their class identities. Traditionally, these masquerade masks were worn to pass unnoticed in the city's bustling streets, and were mostly seen during Carnival celebrations. They became so popular that had to be banned for the rest of the year! Eventually, in the eighteenth century, masks were eventually permitted to be worn from October to June, but were again prohibited in the 1930s. Nowadays, they represent the heart and soul of Venice's carnival, as well as a symbol of the city all around the world.
Like the saying, “Beads and bling. It’s a Mardi Gras thing”, Mardi Gras beads are strings of brightly colored, shiny beads that are frequently distributed at Mardi Gras parades and are used to decorate New Orleans’ streets for the Carnival. They are commonly referred to as Mardi Gras throws — due to them being thrown all over the place — and the necklaces, according to the tradition, are sometimes made with fake coins and cups. But what are throws? Well, exactly what sounds like! It refers to the many items that the members of the parade’s floats throw to the public as the floats passes by, so don’t hesitate and explore our archive!
Let’s get everybody’s hands in the air as confetti flies and covers everything! Confetti is an Italian word that comes from the Latin “confectum”, meaning small sweets or treats. Back in the days of medieval Italy, confetti would be what guests threw in celebrations like weddings or baptisms in order to attract fertility and prosperity. They were almonds coated in hard sugar, with the color of the coating depending on the event — Weddings, baptisms and even graduations! Fast forward to 1875, paper confetti made its big entrance and took over the world’s Carnival and festivities in a few years!
Long long ago, it is said that knights brought back feathers from their crusades, popularizing their use in the sixteenth century. Feathers were more than just a fashion statement back then; they represented a powerful status and wealth. When Carnival arrived to Brazil in the 1600s, it started as formal balls among the Portuguese high society, but these parties were quickly overshadowed by the colorful and lively Afro-Brazilian celebrations that eventually evolved into the grand festival that fills the streets of Rio de Janeiro every year. In all colors and shapes, feathers are now the heart of the Carnival celebrations!
Purple is of the most traditional Carnival colors. It is associated with royalty, opulence and wealth. It was brought into the New Orleans carnival tradition thanks to King's Rex verdict in 1872, and nowadays, purple is as New Orleanian as it can get! Myths and legends surround the birth of this decision, as it is said that it was picked to honor the visit of the Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanoff that took place at that very same carnival. Representing creativity, originality, luxury as well as peace and even magic, purple is the perfect color to give your carnival designs a unique touch, and make them unforgettable and everlasting.
When and where did Carnival originate? Carnival celebrations and rituals can be traced back to even around 4000 years ago in Ancient Egypt! The festivities we know and enjoy nowadays are slightly different, and derive from the Latin phrase “carne vale”, which means “to remove flesh”. This stands as a reference to the red meat fasting that takes place in Catholic countries during the Lenten season, where everybody would abstain from eating red meat as a preparation for the Easter season. The Carnival embodies those last days of prosperity, excess, fun and plenitude for all folks, no matter their place in society.
The earliest farming efforts and enjoying how hard work pays off
The origins of Carnival are ancient, diverse and ceremonial, and they can be traced up through many cultures and ages all over the Earth. One of the oldest examples can be found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 B.C., where Agrarian celebrations took place with drinks, dances and general bliss in the community. These festivities are considered timeless, with a tradition dating back to mankind’s earliest farming efforts and enjoying how hard work pays off. This could mark the beginning and inception of the most popular party in history.
Monumental spring festival in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine
It’s not for nothing that the ancients were known for their parties, fests and shindigs! Among the oldest of gatherings we find Dionysia, sometimes referred and known as Bacchanalia, which was a monumental spring festival held in Ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine. The Romans embraced this tradition and celebrated it fatuously up until the middle of the 10th century under the name of Brumalia, to honor their particular wine deities. These festivities included feasting, drinking, and merriment for as long as the bodies could handle it!
Finding absolution for your sins by undergoing penance and confession
The day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the very beginning of the Lenten season, is Shrove Tuesday. The word shrove refers to finding absolution for your sins by undergoing penance and confession. That’s why it was named after the custom of Christians to confess at the start of Lent. Also known as Mardi Gras, the French translation for Fat Tuesday, it’s the last night where eating fine meals and acting lavishly is allowed before the sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season take place. During these last days, people dress up and parade the streets to the rhythm of music!
The role of the colonizers
Carnival in the Caribbean has a complicated origin and birth. It is undoubtedly tied to colonialism, religious conversion, and ultimately, the celebration of freedom. The pre-Lenten tradition was brought to many Caribbean Islands such as Trinidad, Dominica, Haiti or Martinique by the Catholic French and Spanish, who settled on these islands. The Fat Tuesday tradition was then imported to these islands in the late 18th century, and the people celebrated their native culture and their emancipation with music, dances and incredible attires.
We’ve seen how the roots and origins of Carnival go back in time for a long time and how they span across many countries and cultures, but how has the tradition evolved? How do people celebrate Carnival in modern times? Let’s take a stroll around the world and learn more about it!
Rio during Carnival is like no other place on Earth! Samba, colors, lights, music — everything is filled with adornments and a great ambiance. There’s about two million people in the city during the festivities, and over 200 samba schools take the streets. Looking for the best place to live the full carnival experience? You’re headed to the Sambadrome! It’s an impressive venue — designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer — where samba schools parade for hours and more than 72,500 spectators can dance from the stands! The term comes from the word “samba”, name of the Brazilian music genre and the suffix "-dromo” meaning open air venue. Plus — did you know that the prizes of the very impressive Brazilian Carnival costumes can be as high as 10k dollars? Risky to walk around! But don’t worry, in Rio anyone is allowed to participate in the street festivals and parades, it takes nothing to jump in so valeu, obrigado!
When is Carnival in Trinidad? Masquerades, dances and marches thrive on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago the two days prior to Ash Wednesday. This carnival is known for its exuberant costumes, newly-crowned king and queen, colorful decorations as well as calypso and soca music that resonates throughout the island. One of the main parties you can’t miss is J’ouvert. On Monday, before the very first light, people will cover their bodies with mud, oil and paint and jump to the streets! But it’s a festivity also known for its very peculiar characters, specific to this celebration. Figures like the Burrokeet, Moko jumbie or Jab Jab flood the streets, from dusk to dawn, and share references to the history and traditions of the islanders, known as Trinis. And remember, during Carnival, any time is Trinidad time!
Vastly different from its festivity sibling — the one that takes place in Cadiz — the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held every February in the largest of the Canary Islands, south of Spain. This Spanish carnival is one of the most renowned worldwide, and is visited by tourists from all over the world. The festivities on the streets start on Friday with an opening parade with thousands of people dressed up in fancy outfits that dance for hours throughout the night. The official carnival, however, has more than a hundred music groups that range from murgas, comparsas and rondallas that tour the island non-stop! The top event is the Carnival Queen selection. In a spectacular gala, the candidates show their incredible attires -heavily inspired by Latin-American traditions—impossible heels and runaway skills, and the winner gets to be the ambassador for the Canary Islands in tourism fairs ¡Vamos!
Mardi Gras on! One of the greatest carnivals in the States unfolds right in the streets of New Orleans. Green, yellow and purple are the colors that are present everywhere, from Mardi Gras outfits, stages and even long beads. The city blossoms and parades are alive with people playing music, eating food, drinking and dancing all over the place. Don't forget to visit the Flambeaux, a parade where wooden torches were carried to illuminate the carnival at night. As the men dance down the street, they transform the torches into a spectacle as they wave and spin them. And the most important event, the presentation of Rex, the King of Carnival! It's chosen every year, and his identity is revealed just a day before the parade. Remember, don't forget to bring a bag and save as many beads as you can!
Benvenuti al Carnevale di Venezia! The most famous and elegant, this festivity has been around since the twelfth century! Known for their distinctive Venetian Carnival costumes and accessories, one of the most iconic masks is the Medico della peste (Plague doctor), with a very recognizable long beak. Its original use was sanitary, against the plague. Opulent dresses and gowns are displayed around the streets of Venice, accompanied by incredibly detailed masks and headdresses. Beginning with an opening weekend, accompanied by a closing weekend as well, the most important event of the carnival has to be the maschera più bella contest (the most beautiful mask) where a professional jury votes and picks the most stunning of them all. During the carnival, the city is flooded by tourists trying to find a spot in Piazza San Marco to take a glimpse at the marvelous costumes. Sometimes' there's so many people that policemen have to control the pedestrians' traffic in the streets!
A beautiful festivity takes place and warms our hearts. Bonjour Bonhomme! We’ve just arrived to the Quebec Winter Carnival, and amidst the cold and the snow, a beautiful festivity takes place and warms our hearts. A Carnival that has been going on since 1894, it features a set of traditions that last to this very day! From red clothing to music and drinks, it’s important that you wear your Ceinture fléchée. Also known as an arrow shash, it’s a traditional belt that’s worn around the waist to keep the cold at bay. The king of the festivities is Bonhomme the snowman! He loves to welcome visitors and locals, and it’s dressed with a red tuqué (a hat) and an arrow shash. To keep us warm, drinking Caribou is the best option while strolling the streets, enjoying the masquerades and gliding down ice slides. Remember to wear warm and comfortable clothes!
Notting Hill Carnival transport us to the Caribbean! We move down on the calendar, and as August approaches, so does the Notting Hill Carnival! Taking over the streets of Kensington, west of Central London, these festivities transport us to the Caribbean! Since 1955, the British Afro-Caribbean community embraces and shares its traditions, colors and music from Thursday to Monday night. It attracts over 2 million people every year, making it the second largest after Rio de Janeiro. But wait, tourists only make 20% of the festival’s crowd! Plenty of Mas bands tour the city, each one with about 80 to 300 participants, and on the last day, beware! Some Carnival goers will slap you with melted chocolate. Fun fact! Did you know that the band Pink Floyd played one of their first gigs as part of the original festival?
“Bataille de Fleurs” where more than 100,000 lilies, mimosas and many more flowers are thrown to the stunned spectators. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good time roll with this festival, taking place in Nice, just by the French Riviera. It’s one of the oldest Carnivals, as its existence can be traced back to 1294! For two-weeks, this event attracts over a million tourists to the Côte d’Azur. Every year, a brand-new theme is proposed, and a king and queen are elected. Watch them take part in extravagant floats, grosses têtes dances (giant head figures) and a beautiful flower parade, known as the “Bataille de Fleurs” where more than 100,000 lilies, mimosas and many more flowers are thrown to the stunned spectators. You can’t miss the parade of lights! Where figures and shapes are projected into the sky while floats twinkle in the night, and more than 20 tonnes of confetti are used! Ready to live Carnival in the French style?
