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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.

    The top Gay Carnivals in the world

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 takes place several weeks later. (date to be confirmed).

Featured Event

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Jan. 22.2027 - To: Feb. 28.2027
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.
Read more

Trending Carnival Events

New Orleans Mardi Gras

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
The New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras Weekend takes place from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Dates vary depending on the fall of Easter.
Read more
Bunnies on the Bayou - Houston Easter Gay Party

Bunnies on the Bayou - Houston Easter Gay Party

From: Mar. 28.2027 - To: Mar. 28.2027
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.
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The Top Gay Friendly Carnival Events

Pack your costume and get ready to party!

St.Louis Mardi Gras

St Louis Mardi Gras

From: Jan. 06.2027 - To: Feb. 09.2027
St.Louis Mardi Gras (Soulard Mardi Gras) is the second largest Mardi Gras festival in the United States
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Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

From: Jan. 22.2027 - To: Feb. 28.2027
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.
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Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

From: Jan. 22.2027 - To: Feb. 28.2027
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.
Read more
Venice Carnival

Venice Carnival

From: Jan. 30.2027 - To: Feb. 09.2027
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.
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Sitges Carnival

Sitges Carnival

From: Feb. 02.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
Sitges better known as a gay beach resort in the summer months, comes alive in February for carnival
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Carnaval de Cádiz

Carnaval de Cadiz

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 14.2027
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!
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Malta Carnival

Malta Carnival

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
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
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Dusseldorf Carnival

Dusseldorf Carnival

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
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.
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Carnival Sao Paulo

Carnival Sao Paulo

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 08.2027
Carnival Sao Paulo, Carnival's main events takes place in the Sambadrome on the Friday and Saturday night of the week of Carnival
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Florianopolis Gay Carnival

Florianopolis Gay Carnival

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
The Florianópolis Gay Carnival is one of Brazil's biggest LGBT events, attracting more than 50,000 visitors each year.
Read more
New Orleans Mardi Gras

New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
The New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras Weekend takes place from Friday to Fat Tuesday. Dates vary depending on the fall of Easter.
Read more
Cologne Carnival

Cologne Carnival

From: Feb. 04.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
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.
Read more
New Orleans Greasing of the Poles

New Orleans Greasing of the Poles

From: Feb. 05.2027 - To: Feb. 05.2027
Celebrate the start of Mardi Gras in New Orleans at the iconic Greasing of the Poles, a unique NOLA tradition.
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Cologne Sexy Carnival Festival

Sexy Carnival Festival Cologne

From: Feb. 05.2027 - To: Feb. 07.2027
Sexy Carnival Festival takes place during the Cologne Carnival and features 3 days of the world's biggest circuit events and DJs. Unmissable.
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Galveston Mardi Gras

Galveston Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 05.2027 - To: Feb. 09.2027
The two-week celebration is best known for its lavish parades held on the streets of the city's historic downtown and beachfront.
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Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival

From: Feb. 05.2027 - To: Feb. 13.2027
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.
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Mallorca Carnival

Mallorca Carnival

From: Feb. 06.2027 - To: Feb. 07.2027
Mallorca Carnival - Sa Rua & Sa Rueta & Easter Fira del Ram 2022 is a colourful event full of energy and life with parades and shows.
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Barcelona Gay Carnival Carnestoltes LGBTIQ+

Barcelona Gay Carnival Carnestoltes LGBTIQ+

From: Feb. 06.2027 - To: Feb. 06.2027
Celebrate all things Carnival in Barcelona as the gay district of Eixample celebrates "Carnestoltes LGBTIQ+".
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Curaçao Carnival

Curaçao Carnival

From: Feb. 07.2027 - To: Feb. 10.2027
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
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Nice Carnival

Nice Carnival

From: Feb. 09.2027 - To: Feb. 28.2027
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.
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ZüriCarneval, Zurich Carnival

Zurich Carnival

From: Feb. 12.2027 - To: Feb. 14.2027
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.
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Fête du citron Menton Lemon Festival

Fête du citron Menton Lemon Festival

From: Feb. 13.2027 - To: Feb. 28.2027
(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.
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Sydney Mardi Gras

Sydney Mardi Gras

From: Feb. 21.2027 - To: Mar. 07.2027
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!
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Maspalomas Carnival

Maspalomas Carnival

From: Mar. 05.2027 - To: Mar. 15.2027
Maspalomas Carnival is one of Gran Canaria's most colourful events with parades, drag queens and sequins, as far as the eye can see!
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Purim Celebrations Tel Aviv

Purim Celebrations Tel Aviv

From: Mar. 21.2027 - To: Mar. 24.2027
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
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St Maarten Carnival

St Maarten Carnival

From: Apr. 15.2027 - To: May. 03.2027
Celebrate Carnival in the Caribbean in St Maarten and enjoy colourful parades, spectacular pageants, Calypso competitions, energetic bands concerts and delicious carnival cuisine
Read more
Provincetown Carnival

Provincetown Carnival

From: Aug. 14.2027 - To: Aug. 21.2027
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
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Carnaval Puerto Vallarta

Carnaval Puerto Vallarta

Awaiting dates
Carnaval Puerto Vallarta Annual Mardi Gras parade brings together gay, straight, male, female, to celebrate the diversity of the city
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Komplexo Tempo KARNAVAL Sao Paulo

Komplexo Tempo KARNAVAL Sao Paulo

Awaiting dates
Sao Paulo's leading gay club presents 4 days and nights of special events during the annual Sao Paulo Carnival celebrations.
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Fetish Gras San Diego

Fetish Gras San Diego

Awaiting dates
Fetish Gras San Diego event combines the pomp and circumstance of Mardi Gras with fetish fantasies all weekend long!
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EJoy, Florianopolis Circuit Festival

Florianopolis Gay Carnival Circuit Festival

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

Club High presents TNW Carnival Festival Sao Paulo

Awaiting dates
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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Carnevale, Acireale - Carnival Sicily

Carnevale Acireale - Carnival Sicily

Awaiting dates
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.
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Pink Carnival Weekend Torremolinos

Gala Drag Queen Torremolinos

Awaiting dates
Pink Carnival Weekend Torremolinos will feature a show of about twenty drags acts, think Lacquered wigs, shocking make-up, ostentatious costumes
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Lou Queernaval, Nice Gay Carnival & Circuit Parties

Lou Queernaval Nice Gay Carnival

Awaiting dates
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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Tulum Carnival

Tulum Carnival

Awaiting dates
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
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Malaga Carnival and Drag Queen Spectacular

Malaga Carnival and Drag Queen Spectacular

Awaiting dates
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.
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Carnival of Bogotá & El Festival de Verano

Carnival of Bogotá & El Festival de Verano

Awaiting dates
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
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