Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Carnaval
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Two samba dancers in elaborate blue and green feathered costumes with crowns perform joyfully in front of a crowd at Sesimbra Carnival in Portugal.
Blue textured background with white text reading Carnaval.
All About Carnaval: The Festive Season Before Lent
Colorful Weiberfastnacht Mardi Gras
The Extravaganza of Venice Carnaval
Shrove Tuesday Carnival in Binche, Belgium A member of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school in an elaborate green, white, and silver costume plays a drum and dances during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade at night. Carnival parade
Quizzes
Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday
Christianity Quiz
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Two samba dancers in elaborate blue and green feathered costumes with crowns perform joyfully in front of a crowd at Sesimbra Carnival in Portugal.
Samba dancers Samba dancers performing in the Sesimbra Carnaval, Portugal.

Carnaval

pre-Lent festival
Also known as: Carnival
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Carnaval, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in many historically Roman Catholic countries in the last days and hours before the Lenten season. The derivation of the word is uncertain, though it possibly can be traced to the medieval Latin carnem levare or carnelevarium, which means to take away or remove meat. This coincides with the fact that Carnaval is the final festivity before the commencement of the austere 40-day season of Lent, during...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile