Top February 2016 Events


Europe's Carnival Season

February marks the arrival of Europe’s carnival festivities. And you can be sure that the events laid on all over the continent during the 2nd month of the year are sure to rival the world famous Rio Carnival. 
It’s been a struggle to pick our favourites for you, but after a lot of contemplation we finally did it and here they are as follows:


 

 Italy: Carnival Fun In Venice & Ivrea

Location's: Venice & Ivrea
Date's: 23 January – 10 February 2016

February is the month when cities and towns all across Italy take on an even more fun loving, stylish and jolly atmosphere as the streets fill with locals and people from afar that all simply out to have a great time.


Venice Carnival 2016

Location: Venice 

Date's: 23 January – 9 February 2016

With the beginning of February the amazing city of Venice shakes of its winter gloom and embraces classiness, colour and great entertainment to the fullest. For just over two weeks locals and visitors alike are given the chance to don their most elaborate carnival masks and enjoy endless celebrations to honour a tradition that dates all he way back to the 18th century.

Key events:

But that is not all that makes the Venice carnival so unique. The events during the carnival are definitely worth a mention too. The key events for you to remember are:

  • Volo dell’Angelo ("flight of the angel"): when a beauty pageant winner gets to ride a zip wire from the campanile in St Mark’s square
  • Parade of costumes: Show off your costume or enjoy watching other visitors do just that, as the competition for the best costume gets on the way on the catwalk in St Mark’s square

Ivrea Carnival 2016

Location: Ivrea
Date's: 6 February – 10 February 2016 

The Ivrea Carnival in Italy’s north-west definitely a great mix history, tradition and fun.

Whilst the carnival actually kicks off in early January, it’s not until the 6th February that the celebrations are in full swing. From the 6th right through to the 10th February the Ivrea Carnival plays host to various different happenings including marches, the handing over of power, historical parades and of course lots of fancy dress opportunities too.
Key event:

Whilst there is plenty going on during this Italian carnival there is one fun event in particular that is worth a special mention.

Battle of the Orange: The first official Tuesday of the Carnival is when the fun starts. The entire day is dedicated to this special celebration.

In the early hours of the afternoon the orange throwing carts are grouped together in Corso M. d’Azeglio ready for their inspections. Yes, you heard right the battle is quite a serious yet extremely fun event for the locals and visitors alike.

Once the clock hits 2 pm the Carnival procession begins followed by the "Battle of the Orange" shortly after. It’s a tradition which has its roots in the mid 1800’s during and initially began with carnival goers using beans to assault fellow unsuspecting carnival goers for the fun of it.

These days the battle still takes place in Ivrea’s main squares between teams on carts which symbolise the tyrant’s guards and hundreds of orange-throwers that symbolise the rebellious commoners that are ready to get involved on foot.

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 Germany: 

Exciting Carnival memories in Cologne

Cologne Carnival 2016

Location: Cologne
Date's: 04 February – 10 February 2016

Germany certainly knows how to celebrate carnival season and some would even go as far as saying that Germany’s carnivals are just as good as the world famous Rio carnival. The Cologne Carnival is certainly a great testament to that. For approximately 3 days in mid February the streets of Germany’s fourth largest city are transformed into a fest of colour, laughter, creativity and joy.

Key event’s:

From the beginning to the end the Cologne Carnival holds a list of memorable events and the two most notable ones as are:

Women’s Carnival Day: 
The first day of the Carnival is the day when Women from all across town throw on their fancy dress costumes and head of to get started with their daily routine. But has soon as the clock hits 10 am they all set out to make their way to the Alter Markt to make it their for 11:11am on the dot. You wonder why? Well, 11:11am marks the official opening of Cologne’s street Carnival by the three principal Carnival figures: the Prince, the Peasant and the Virgin.


The day then continues at 1:30 pm with a showing of the historical theatre play “Jan un Griet” at the Severinstor. Once the play is done a procession to the Alter Market takes place to honour Jan von Werth, all made highly entertaining with cheerful music and dance performances. The end of the parade marks the end of the official happenings of the day, but the afternoon and evening are filled with lots more fun as plenty of masked balls and parties take place all across town.

Rose Monday: 
A day that is also known as the climax of this Cologne carnival. It is the day when the city is taken over by a truly enormous colourful parade where sweets, flowers, pecks and more than a million spectators in fancy dress get together to laugh, sing and have a great time. 

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 Belgium:

Where Carnival's are in a class of their own

Binche Carnival 2016

Location:  Binche 
Date's:  7 February – 9 February 2016

Belgium’s Binche Carnival certainly is in a class of its own. Particularly when you consider that the greatness of this event has actually been recognised by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” back in 2003. Giving it a UNESCO world heritage status for more than a decade now. With the first Binche Carnival events dating as far back as the 14th century, history and culture most definitely play a big part at the Binche Carnival, so if you’re fond of these things than make sure you give Binche and its carnival a visit during your Interrail trip.

Key event:

Parade of Gilles: 

The most famous Parade of the Binche Carnival takes place on Fat Tuesday and involves performers disguised with masks, red costumes and clogs and known by the locals as Gille/Gilles. 

All this may sound fairly simply, but trust us it’s not. The Gilles follow a strict set of rules, to become one you must be born in Binche, can only come out on Fat Tuesday, need to be guided by a drummer at all times and most importantly you are not allowed to sit down or get drunk in public. 

If you are intrigued by this interesting Carnival custom and want to experience not just a fun but also truly cultural and history Carnival then be sure to head to Binche in Belgium when Carnival time finally arrives in February.

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