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The Top Gay Carnival Events in 2026

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!

Most Carnivals take place on the lead up to Ash Wednesday, which falls on Wednesday February 18th 2026, however there are exceptions, particularly the popular Maspalomas Carnival which typically takes place several weeks later, (date to be confirmed).

The top Gay Carnival Events 2026
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.

Most Carnivals take place on the lead up to Ash Wednesday, which falls on Wednesday February 18th, 2026, however there are exceptions, particularly the popular Maspalomas Carnival which takes place several weeks later. (date to be confirmed).

Featured Event

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Feb. 11.2026 - To: Feb. 22.2026

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.

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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.

Lou Queernaval Nice Gay Carnival

From: Feb. 27.2026 - To: Feb. 27.2026

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.

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Pack your costume and get ready to party!

St Louis Mardi Gras

From: Jan. 06.2026 - To: Feb. 17.2026

Wednesday, Jun 30th, 2021

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

Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

From: Jan. 24.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

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.

Venice Carnival

From: Jan. 31.2026 - To: Feb. 17.2026

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.

Carnevale Acireale - Carnival Sicily

From: Jan. 31.2026 - To: Feb. 17.2026

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.

Curaçao Carnival

From: Feb. 08.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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

Sitges Carnival

From: Feb. 10.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

Thursday, Oct 2nd, 2014

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

Nice Carnival

From: Feb. 11.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

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.

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Feb. 11.2026 - To: Feb. 22.2026

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.

Fête du citron Menton Lemon Festival

From: Feb. 11.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

Sunday, Nov 6th, 2022

(One Hour from Nice) 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.

Cologne Carnival

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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.

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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.

Florianopolis Gay Carnival

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

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

Malta Carnival

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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

Dusseldorf Carnival

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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.

Carnaval de Cadiz

From: Feb. 12.2026 - To: Mar. 22.2026

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!

Sydney Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 13.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

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!

Rio Carnival

From: Feb. 13.2026 - To: Feb. 21.2026

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. 13.2026 - To: Feb. 18.2026

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

Galveston Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 13.2026 - To: Feb. 17.2026

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.

Zurich Carnival

From: Feb. 20.2026 - To: Feb. 22.2026

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.

Gala Drag Queen Torremolinos

From: Feb. 21.2026 - To: Feb. 21.2026

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

Malaga Carnival and Drag Queen Spectacular

From: Feb. 21.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

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.

Tulum Carnival

From: Feb. 26.2026 - To: Mar. 01.2026

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

Lou Queernaval Nice Gay Carnival

From: Feb. 27.2026 - To: Feb. 27.2026

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.

Purim Celebrations Tel Aviv

From: Mar. 01.2026 - To: Mar. 04.2026

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

Maspalomas Carnival

From: Mar. 10.2026 - To: Mar. 22.2026

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!

St Maarten Carnival

From: Apr. 16.2026 - To: May. 04.2026

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. 05.2026 - To: Aug. 13.2026

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. 16.2026 - To: Aug. 25.2026

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

New Orleans Greasing of the Poles

From: Feb. 05.2027 - To: Feb. 05.2027

Friday, Jan 19th, 2024

Celebrate the start of Mardi Gras in New Orleans at the iconic Greasing of the Poles, a unique NOLA tradition.

Mallorca Carnival

From: Feb. 06.2027 - To: Feb. 07.2027

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.

Barcelona Gay Carnival Carnestoltes LGBTIQ+

From: Feb. 06.2027 - To: Feb. 06.2027

Friday, Jan 26th, 2024

Celebrate all things Carnival in Barcelona as the gay district of Eixample celebrates "Carnestoltes LGBTIQ+".

Carnaval Des Couleurs Montreal

Awaiting dates

Tuesday, Aug 17th, 2021

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

Carnaval Puerto Vallarta

Awaiting dates

Monday, Feb 5th, 2018

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

Komplexo Tempo KARNAVAL Sao Paulo

Awaiting dates

Wednesday, Jan 18th, 2023

Sao Paulo's leading gay club presents 4 days and nights of special events during the annual Sao Paulo Carnival celebrations.

Sexy Carnival Festival Cologne

Awaiting dates

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.

Fetish Gras San Diego

Awaiting dates

Saturday, Jan 27th, 2024

Fetish Gras San Diego event combines the pomp and circumstance of Mardi Gras with fetish fantasies all weekend long!

Florianopolis Gay Carnival Circuit Festival

Awaiting dates

Saturday, Feb 12th, 2022

Florianopolis Gay Carnival Circuit Festival features the world's biggest DJs paying over four days and nights during the Carnival celebrations.

Club High presents TNW Carnival Festival Sao Paulo

Awaiting dates

Tuesday, Jan 29th, 2019

Club High presents TNW Carnival Festival Sao Paulo, where the leading party promoter brings together their top parties for a Carnival celebration.

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