The Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent.
The main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of the norms of daily life.
Do you plan any balls or party in that season?. I have chosen three country to show you how you can enjoy carnival.
- The Polish Carnival Season includes Fat Thursday (Polish: Tłusty Czwartek), when pączki (doughnuts) are eaten, and Śledzik (Shrove Tuesday) or Herring Day. The Tuesday before the start of Lent is also often called Ostatki (literally “leftovers”), meaning the last day to party before the Lenten season.The traditional way to celebrate Carnival is the kulig, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside. In modern times, Carnival is increasingly seen as an excuse for intensive partying and night-clubbing, and has become more commercialized with stores offering Carnival-season sales. (In 2015 6 January -17 February)
- The Carnival of Venice is an annual festival, held in Venice. The Carnival starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Martedì Grasso), the day before Ash Wednesday. The Venice Carnival is now world famous .
During carnival period lots of tourist come to celebrate. Masks and costumes became the symbol of Venice Carnival. People parade around the city, enjoy the live music in the main squares of the city. The events organised by the tourist board and is a wonderful open-air festival where everyone can join in. Fantastic costumes are displayed in St Mark’s Square and Venice is the perfect back-drop for amazing photographs. There is lots of balls and events during this period.Tickets are selling really fast.
I have chosen three events to show you this year.
- Gala Dinner & Live Entertainment- 8 February 2015
Location: Palazzo Pesaro Papafava – Venice
Start Time: 9:15 pm
Dress Code: Costume and mask
The Three Tenors Grand Ball takes place in the “piano nobile” of Palazzo Ca’ Pesaro Papafava, an authentic 14th Century palace with an exclusive water entrance.
During the gala dinner, only candlelight and classical music illuminate the ancient rooms, whisking guests back to a time of enchantment.
21:15 Welcome cocktail with gondoliers and traditional Venetian music
21:45 Seated candlelight gala dinner with Venetian cuisine, wine included Chocolate fountain and traditional Carnival sweets
23:00 Arias, Broadway hits and Neapolitan songs with The Three Tenors Midnight: Live music and dancing with closed bar
Prices
Normal: 320.00 €
- The Enchanted Palace- 13 February 2015
Location: Palazzo Flangini
Start Time: 8:00 pm
Dress Code: Traditional Venetian costume and mask
This party is a Venetian Grand Ball with a twist, a hint of mystery, an ancient legend, a little dark and eerie.
Every year during the exciting Carnival period, the purest virgin in Venice was drawn by a powerful spell to the Palace of the Count, who threw this miraculous ball attracting all the aristocracy and nobles of Venice. In order to find the purest young lady, at around midnight Igor, the devoted servant, declared the beginning of a ceremony. For you to know the rest of this story, you must have a personal invite and attend this Grand Ball where the tale unfolds before you.
The Count offers a dinner served, requiring elaborate table service comprising of numerous vessels and utensils that were designed to serve both functional and decorative purposes, definitely with a wicked edge! Prepare yourselves for an ostentatious dining experience.
After dinner you will be invited to a fantastic party on the ground floor of the palace, where you will be astounded by the wild and ingenious costumes and characters and can join in to the sultry beat of the music. Beware, the Count himself may take your hand……..
Location
Set in Venice, with a few minutes walk from the train station and Piazzale Roma, or arriving by boat to its own water entrance, our beautiful 15th century Palace overlooks the left bank of the Grand Canal. Its Renaissance facade displays the distinctive elegance of an important Venetian palazzo. Views from this palace are stunning, particularly by night.
Once you have booked, you will receive a voucher which will give you full details of the address of the palace and directions on how to reach it.
Highlights
A unique one off myserious experience in a private palace (normally closed to the public) overlooking the Grand Canal
Live in this story performed by talented entertainers, gifted actors, dancers and musicians
An exquisite Gala dinner served along with fine Italian wines
After-dinner party including DJ, alcoholic bar, dancers until late. Wild costumes abound.
Prices
Normal Ticket – side rooms – Early booking: 490.00 €
VIP Ticket – main noble room Giuseppe Sardi – Early booking: 590.00 €
Normal Ticket – side rooms: 590.00 €
VIP Ticket – main noble room Giuseppe Sardi: 710.00 €
- St Valentine’s Grand Ball- 14 February 2015
Location: Palazzo Flangini
Start Time: 8:00 pm
Dress Code: Traditional Venetian costume and mask
Saint Valentine’s Masquerade Ball will take place in a prestigious charming Venetian palace on the beautiful Grand Canal, with romantic views of the Canal and it’s illuminated palaces, unique views of the most beautiful ‘highway’ in the world.
One of the reason’s for this evening’s extraordinary success, are the many small details which make the difference between an ordinary event, and a spectacular party.
Love is in the air, handsome waiters serve canape’s on trays and the evening begins…….
Who best to greet you, than Casanova himself – charming and smiling he will warmly welcome you, together with his entourage from the intriguing Commedia del’ Arte, all dressed in their finest traditional Venetian extravagant costumes. Literally ‘A feast for the eye’.
Entering the glamorous ‘piano nobile’ on the first floor of the palace, where 100’s of years of entertaining have taken place, you will be accompanied to your table to enjoy the candlelit Venetian style setting and romantic music. A sumptuous gala dinner will be served by charming waiters, along with the finest of Italian wines.
During dinner, Venetian and fantasy characters will enhance the St Valentine’s Grand Ball, with talented artistic displays and funny joyful improvisations. Guests from around the world will take part in a whirlwind of emotion, unique and unforgettable Masquerade party, reminding us of the Splendors and Magnificence of the Republic of the Serenissima – Venezia !
The party and celebrations will continue after dinner on the ground floor, with our DJ who specializes in love songs and songs of love. Music to suit everyone ! (not just slow waltzes)
‘Remember, you have to dance like there is nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, live like its heaven on earth.’
Unlimited alcohol from our late night bar will be served during dancing until the early hours.
Location
Set in Venice, with a few minutes walk from the train station and Piazzale Roma, or arriving by boat to its own water entrance, our beautiful 15th century Palace overlooks the left bank of the Grand Canal. Its Renaissance facade displays the distinctive elegance of an important Venetian palazzo. Views from this palace are stunning, particularly by night.
Once you have booked, you will receive a voucher which will give you full details of the address of the palace and directions on how to reach it.
Highlights
A unique Carnival Masquerade Ball in a private palace (normally closed to the public) overlooking the Grand Canal
Live music, talented entertainers, Venetian and fantasy characters in elaborate costumes
Candlelit Gala dinner served along with fine Italian wines
After-dinner party including DJ, alcoholic bar, dancers until late
Prices
Normal Ticket – side rooms – Early booking: 550.00 €
VIP Ticket – main noble room Giuseppe Sardi – Early booking: 650.00 €
Normal Ticket – side rooms: 660.00 €
VIP Ticket – main noble room Giuseppe Sardi : 780.00 €
- The street carnival of Rio de Janeiro as the largest carnival in the world with approximately two million people each day The Carnival in Rio is taking place from February 13th to February 18th.
You can expect spectacular parades put on by the city’s samba schools, along with street parties, live Brazilian music and plenty more. Every day during Carnival you’ll find a parade taking place at the Sambadrome, with various different samba schools taking part in the parades each day,which are also a competition between all the different schools.
A celebration of music, dance and colourful Rio Carnival costumes. Balls are another popular part of Carnival and take place at numerous locations around the city.
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