Gay Carnival Events

The Top Gay Carnival Events in 2023

Let’s face it, Carnival makes a long Winter bearable! It is the perfect excuse to dress up and party in some of the world’s best destinations. From the beaches of Rio to the promenades of Nice, discover the best Carnivals to attend around the world. Although not exclusively gay, the following Carnivals attract a wide and diverse audience and host significant LGBTQ+ events as part of their celebrations, where genderbending is de rigueur!

The top Gay Carnival Events 2023
There’s nothing quite like a Carnival. After a long Winter, it’s the perfect excuse to party! From Cologne to Rio, discover the top Carnivals with significant gay events as part of their celebrations.

Featured Event

Bunnies on the Bayou - Houston Easter Gay Party

From: Apr. 09.2023 - To: Apr. 09.2023

Friday, Jan 4th, 2019

Bunnies on the Bayou 2022- Houston Easter Gay Party thousands gather on the shores of Buffalo Bayou for one of the biggest annual parties in H-Town.

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 01.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Sunday, Oct 12th, 2014

The New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras Weekend takes place from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Dates vary depending on the fall of Easter.

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Feb. 07.2024 - To: Feb. 18.2024

Wednesday, Feb 24th, 2021

Carnival is the best time to experience the pink nightlife in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz. The city hosts one of the biggest Carnival parties in Europe.

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The Top Gay Friendly Carnival Events

Pack your costume and get ready to party!

Maspalomas Bear Carnival

From: Mar. 18.2023 - To: Mar. 26.2023

Tuesday, Nov 18th, 2014

Maspalomas Bear Carnival is a large-scale bear meeting in Gran Canaria (Spain),,on during the famous Maspalomas Carnival.

Purim Celebrations Tel Aviv

From: Mar. 24.2023 - To: Mar. 26.2023

Tuesday, Feb 26th, 2019

Purim Celebrations Tel Aviv has taken on a life of its own, and it’s celebrated by the whole nation of Israel a mashup between Halloween & Mardi Gras

St Maarten Carnival

From: Apr. 14.2023 - To: May. 03.2023

Saturday, Dec 10th, 2022

Celebrate Carnival in the Caribbean in St Maarten and enjoy colourful parades, spectacular pageants, Calypso competitions, energetic bands concerts and delicious carnival cuisine

Carnival of Bogotá & El Festival de Verano

From: Aug. 05.2023 - To: Aug. 10.2023

Saturday, Feb 12th, 2022

Every year in August, the residents of Bogotá commemorate the founding of the city (August 6th) and enjoy about 200 cultural and recreational activities in the city's public parks

Provincetown Carnival

From: Aug. 12.2023 - To: Aug. 19.2023

Sunday, Nov 2nd, 2014

Provincetown Carnival attracts 90,000 people to the coast for this week long event in August, including a major parade, pool parties & a costume ball

Provincetown Carnival Sunset Boat Cruise

From: Aug. 13.2023 - To: Aug. 13.2023

Sunday, Jul 25th, 2021

Kick off Carnival in style by cruising somewhere over the rainbow while the sun sets over our Provincetown.

P Town Carnival Opening Party

From: Aug. 13.2023 - To: Aug. 13.2023

Thursday, Jul 21st, 2022

Kick start your celebrations with one of the most famous gay Summer carnival events at the Opening Party in PTown

PTown Carnival Pool Party at the Brass Key

From: Aug. 14.2023 - To: Aug. 14.2023

Wednesday, Jul 6th, 2022

If you can only make it to one pool party this season, make it this one! Provincetown Carnival's epic pool adventure at the Brass Key is a Summer Season highlight to remember.

Carnaval Des Couleurs Montreal

From: Oct. 05.2023 - To: Oct. 09.2023

Tuesday, Aug 17th, 2021

The Carnaval Des Couleurs Montreal is a gathering and celebration of multicultural and LGBTQ + communities

Carnevale Acireale - Carnival Sicily

From: Jan. 27.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Saturday, Mar 5th, 2022

Carnevale is celebrated all over Sicily, but this one is one of the most famous in Italy. Acireale is just 10 minutes by train from Catania between Mount Etna and the sea.

Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

From: Jan. 27.2024 - To: Feb. 24.2024

Sunday, Jan 16th, 2022

On the island of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas Carnival is one of the oldest and most traditional festivals on the Canary Islands, filling the city streets with an explosion of colour, joy, music, and dance.

Curaçao Carnival

From: Jan. 28.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Wednesday, Jul 7th, 2021

The Curaçao Carnival is a unique celebration that takes over the entire Island with amazing competitions such as the Tumba music and Calypso festivals, beauty pageants, street parties

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 01.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Sunday, Oct 12th, 2014

The New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras Weekend takes place from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Dates vary depending on the fall of Easter.

Galveston Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 02.2024 - To: Feb. 13.2024

Thursday, Mar 11th, 2021

The two-week celebration is best known for its lavish parades held on the streets of the city's historic downtown and beachfront.

Venice Carnival

From: Feb. 03.2024 - To: Feb. 13.2024

Wednesday, Jan 21st, 2015

Venice Carnival will give you the opportunity to go back in time and live a daydream. It takes place each year at the end of February to early March.

Malaga Carnival and Drag Queen Spectacular

From: Feb. 03.2024 - To: Feb. 11.2024

Wednesday, Nov 23rd, 2022

Málaga is famous for hosting over-the-top events, and its Carnival celebrations are just as crazy with elaborate parades, spectacular lighting displays, street food, concerts, dancing and drag queens. The event attracts more than 600,000 visitors.

St Louis Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 05.2024 - To: Feb. 13.2024

Wednesday, Jun 30th, 2021

St.Louis Mardi Gras (Soulard Mardi Gras) is the second largest Mardi Gras festival in the United States

Sitges Carnival

From: Feb. 06.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Thursday, Oct 2nd, 2014

Sitges better known as a gay beach resort in the summer months, comes alive in February for carnival

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Feb. 07.2024 - To: Feb. 18.2024

Wednesday, Feb 24th, 2021

Carnival is the best time to experience the pink nightlife in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz. The city hosts one of the biggest Carnival parties in Europe.

Dusseldorf Carnival

From: Feb. 08.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Monday, Feb 7th, 2022

Along with Cologne, Düsseldorf puts on one of the largest Carnival celebrations in Germany, involving colourful costumes, parades and a series of Carnival parties and costume balls.

Cologne Carnival

From: Feb. 08.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Saturday, Oct 11th, 2014

Although Cologne Carnival is not a gay event in itself, it is very gay friendly and runs each year between February and March, depending on Easter.

Carnaval de Cadiz

From: Feb. 08.2024 - To: Feb. 18.2024

Tuesday, Nov 8th, 2022

Cádiz is one of Western Europe's oldest cities, famous for its stunning blend of Moroccan and Spanish architecture, windy streets and impressive Atlantic Views and, of course, Carnival!

Florianopolis Gay Carnival

From: Feb. 08.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

The Florianópolis Gay Carnival is one of Brazil's biggest LGBT events, attracting more than 50,000 visitors each year.

Carnaval Puerto Vallarta

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Monday, Feb 5th, 2018

Carnaval Puerto Vallarta Annual Mardi Gras parade brings together gay, straight, male, female, to celebrate the diversity of the city

Heaven Club Rio Carnival Edition

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Monday, Feb 14th, 2022

Rio Carnival is one of the biggest parties in the world. Once the parades and the street parties end, the party continues late into the night and early morning at Heaven, one of the city's top gay night venues.

Revolution Rio Carnival Edition

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 13.2024

Saturday, Jan 15th, 2022

Celebrate Carnival with some of the hottest gay guys on the planet in Rio as the R:Evolution party hosts a spectacular series of events

Super Festas Carnival São Paulo Circuit Weekend

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 12.2024

Saturday, Feb 5th, 2022

Superfestas is the biggest party promoter in São Paulo and brings world-class DJs to the hottest events in the city. The Carnival weekend is one of their biggest events of the year.

EJoy Florianopolis Circuit Festival

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 13.2024

Saturday, Feb 12th, 2022

EJoy Events brings the biggest circuit weekend to Florianopolis during the annual Carnival celebrations. The event will feature the world's biggest DJs paying over four days and nights.

Rio Carnival

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 17.2024

Saturday, Oct 11th, 2014

Rio Carnival is the worlds largest and most famous in the world. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro takes place in Feb or March, depending on when Easter falls.

Carnival Sao Paulo

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Thursday, Jan 31st, 2019

Carnival Sao Paulo, Carnival's main events takes place in the Sambadrome on the Friday and Saturday night of the week of Carnival

Sexy Carnival Festival Cologne

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 11.2024

Saturday, Jan 21st, 2017

Sexy Carnival Festival takes place during the Cologne Carnival and features 3 days of the world's biggest circuit events and DJs. Unmissable.

Tulum Carnival

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 11.2024

Thursday, Apr 1st, 2021

Carnival Tulum is a colorful affair attracting thousands of visitors from all around Quintana Roo, Cancun and beyond for 3 days of parties, shows and parades

Malta Carnival

From: Feb. 09.2024 - To: Feb. 14.2024

Friday, Apr 16th, 2021

Carnival in Malta is an epic event, held across the island with the main parade taking pride of place in Valetta. Pack your costumes and get ready to party

Mallorca Carnival

From: Feb. 11.2024 - To: Feb. 11.2024

Monday, Feb 14th, 2022

Mallorca Carnival - Sa Rua & Sa Rueta & Easter Fira del Ram 2022 is a colourful event full of energy and life with parades and shows.

Sydney Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 16.2024 - To: Mar. 03.2024

Saturday, Oct 11th, 2014

Earth's largest gay festival, Sydney Mardi Gras takes place during Febryary and March and is one event every gay person needs to visit at least once!

Fête du citron Menton Lemon Festival

From: Feb. 17.2024 - To: Mar. 03.2024

Sunday, Nov 6th, 2022

The "Fête du Citron" (Lemon Festival) attracts more than 200,000 visitors every year to Menton, a stunning French town sitting on the Italian border between the Alpes Maritimes and the Mediterranean, just thirty minutes from Nice.

Carnavall Scala Rio - Rio Carnival Gay Ball

Carnaval Scala Rio Carnival Gay Ball

Awaiting dates

Tuesday, Feb 19th, 2019

Carnavall Scala Rio Carnival Gay Ball The Red Carpet arrival gala is broadcast on television with some of the most stunning costumes on display

Gala Drag Queen Sitges

Awaiting dates

Monday, Nov 14th, 2022

Gala Drag Queen Sitges celebrates its 2nd edition in February as part of the official Sitges Carnival celebrations.

Lou Queernaval Nice Gay Carnival & Circuit Parties

Awaiting dates

Sunday, Dec 12th, 2021

Lou Queernaval is the first gay Carnival in France and takes place on the Friday during the second week of Nice Carnival, one of the world's most significant carnival events.

Guapo Fiesta Rio

Awaiting dates

Wednesday, Jan 11th, 2023

Guapo Fiesta produces some of Brazil's hottest circuit events during Rio's biggest festivals and holiday celebrations

La Leche Gay Circuit Party Rio De Janeiro

Awaiting dates

Wednesday, Jan 18th, 2023

La Leche, Matinee's world-famous signature party, returns to Rio for a special celebration

Swim Club Sydney Pool Party

Awaiting dates

Friday, Aug 19th, 2022

Poof Doof presents "Swim Club", a Mardi Gras After Party at the legendary Ivy Pool Club

Zurich Carnival

Awaiting dates

Wednesday, Jan 5th, 2022

Carnival in Zurich is a serious affair, with lots of marching bands, parades and three days of partying, drinking and fun! Many of the city's famous gay bars host special events and parties during the celebration.

Nice Carnival

Awaiting dates

Tuesday, Jan 20th, 2015

More than 1 million people will descend upon Nice on the French Rivera for the annual Carnival festivities, one of the top 3 carnivals in the world.

Sydney Big Gay Pool Party

Awaiting dates

Friday, Aug 19th, 2022

Poof Doof's famous Summer nighttime "Big Gay Pool Party" is the ultimate way to end your Summer Mardi Gras celebrations

Finale Mardi Gras Sydney Closing Party

Awaiting dates

Monday, Jan 24th, 2022

Over the last few years at Sydney Mardi Gras, Sunday has become just as popular to party as the Saturday following the parade. This dance-floor is for all those looking to get that little bit more out of their weekend.

Gala Drag Queen Torremolinos

Awaiting dates

Friday, Mar 1st, 2019

Pink Carnival Weekend Torremolinos will feature a show of about twenty drags acts, think Lacquered wigs, shocking make-up, ostentatious costumes

Maspalomas Carnival

Awaiting dates

Saturday, Jan 15th, 2022

Maspalomas Carnival is one of Gran Canaria's most colourful events with parades, drag queens and sequins, as far as the eye can see! It is the perfect way to enjoy a Carnival experience without the cold, with Maspalomas welcoming visitors with temperatures averaging 22 degrees in the afternoon.

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The Top Gay Carnival Events in 2023

The top Gay Carnival Events 2023

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