Carnival — dates, where it's observed, and how it affects

When & where

Carnival by country — 2026

The date follows a religious calendar, so it shifts by country and year.

North & Central America

Caribbean

South America

Africa

Europe

AndorraTuesday 9 February 2027

For the traveller

How it affects a trip

In carnival cities hotels sell out very early at several times the price. In Germany (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz) Carnival Monday and Tuesday are effectively holidays — offices, shops and schools close, and transport is disrupted by the parades.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

When is Carnival in 2026?

The date varies by country. Soonest: Saint Lucia on Friday 16 July 2027. Full list below.

Which countries observe Carnival as a public holiday?

Saint Lucia, Grenada, Aruba, Curacao, Dominica, Ecuador, Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, Angola, Argentina and 6 more.

What's closed on Carnival?

In countries where it's a public holiday: banks, government offices and most shops close, and public transport shifts to a weekend timetable. Museums and attractions vary — check each one.

Is it a good time to travel around Carnival?

In carnival cities hotels sell out very early at several times the price. In Germany (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz) Carnival Monday and Tuesday are effectively holidays — offices, shops and schools close, and transport is disrupted by the parades.

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Holiday dates: date-holidays · Background: Around the World

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