5 Unusual Carnival Traditions Around the World
For a few days each year, ordinary streets stop behaving like ordinary streets. Masks blur who is who, music becomes the background noise of daily life, and the crowd moves with a confidence that feels contagious. Most people know carnival through the biggest global images, like Rio de Janeiro and its samba schools, floats, and stadium-scale parades. But did you know there are certain carnival traditions that involve orange throwing and parading coated in mud?
This blog post rounds up 5 unusual carnival traditions around the world, the unconventional local rituals that make you stop and look twice, and that communities protect and pass on year after year. If you are the type of traveler who wants a story you cannot get from a standard city break, you are in the right place. Keep reading, the strange parts are where the carnival gets unforgettable.
1. Belgium: The Gilles of Binche
Binche is a small town in Belgium’s Hainaut province, and its Carnival fills the historic center during the three days before Lent. In 2026, it runs from February 15 to February 17.
UNESCO includes the Carnival of Binche on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the traditions are treated as a serious local craft, not just a party.
What makes it unusual
The final day is Shrove Tuesday, also known locally as the day of the Gilles. The streets fill with groups moving to drum rhythms in traditional costumes, creating a procession that feels both festive and strangely uniform.
Earlier in the day, many Gilles wear wax masks with distinctive green spectacles and a small mustache. Later, the towering ostrich feather hats appear, and the most famous ritual begins as oranges are thrown into the crowd as a gesture linked with luck and prosperity. If you’re in the densest spots for orange throwing, keep your camera tucked away and don’t stand right against shopfront windows.
How to experience it well
If you only have one day, go on Shrove Tuesday, since the biggest moments happen then. Arrive early for the morning traditions, then stay for the afternoon procession when the feather hats come out and the orange throwing begins.
Binche also works well without a car. A direct train from Brussels to Binche takes about one hour, which makes a day trip or a nearby base realistic when rooms in town are limited.
Where to stay
This is a small, calm base in Binche itself, which comes in handy during the carnival when the center is crowded and moving around on foot saves time and stress. The property has outdoor space such as a garden and terrace, which is useful for taking a break between events without leaving town. Free private parking is also available, which helps if you are driving and want a simple arrival and departure plan.
Breakfast is another strong point, with a continental spread and flexible options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. That flexibility can be especially helpful on busy mornings when you want a reliable start and minimal decision-making before heading back into the crowds.
A convenient nearby base when Binche is sold out, especially if you prefer a larger hotel with an easier late-night return after the main processions. It suits travelers who want standard hotel facilities and straightforward logistics during a high-demand weekend.
It also suits routines that start early and end late. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet, a bar with long opening hours, and an on-site fitness room, which can make the trip feel smoother when your day is shaped by parade schedules rather than restaurant reservations.
View all hotels in La Louviere
2. Spain: Vilanova i la Geltrú and Les Comparses
Vilanova i la Geltrú is a coastal city in Catalonia, close enough to Barcelona for an easy stay that still feels local. Each February, the city’s carnival takes over the center for a week of costumes, marching groups, and street energy (in 2026, February 12–18). Trains connect the city with Barcelona in about 40 minutes, with departures roughly every 15 minutes, which makes arriving without a car very straightforward.
What makes it unusual
Les Comparses is the moment when the carnival turns into a full-scale candy battle. Thousands of couples parade and dance through the streets to the sound of the Turuta, while large amounts of candy fly between groups and into the crowd.
The action builds toward the town hall square, Plaça de la Vila, where the candy war becomes the main event, and the streets often end up carpeted in wrappers and sweets. If you want to watch without taking direct hits, stand at the edge of the square, but if you want the full effect, go center and accept the sugar.
How to experience it well
Plan your visit around Carnival Sunday morning, since that is when Les Comparses takes over the center and the candy battle is at its most intense.
Wear clothes you do not mind getting sticky, and choose shoes with good grip for crowded streets. If you want the best view, arrive early and stay near the central squares where the biggest crowd gathers.
Where to stay
This 3-star hotel is a classic choice if you want a stay with character that still feels practical for the carnival. The hotel highlights more than a century of history, and it pairs that heritage with a garden setting that includes a swimming pool and a sauna, which can be a real relief after a long morning in the crowds.
It also appeals to travelers who care about food as part of the trip. The hotel promotes Mediterranean cuisine on site, so you can keep your day simple with an easy meal plan before and after the festivities. Rooms are described as bright with natural light and views over the gardens, which is a nice contrast to the noisy center during carnival hours.
Atenea Park Suites & Apartments
Atenea Park is a solid choice when you want more space and flexibility, especially for families or small groups. It is set up as suites and tourist apartments, with services designed for longer stays and a day-to-day routine that is easy to manage during a busy festival week.
The property features a large garden area and two swimming pools, including a children’s pool, plus a restaurant and terrace bar for low-effort meals. Useful extras like 24-hour reception, parking, free Wi-Fi, and on-site washers and dryers can make a big difference when your clothes meet a candy war.
View all hotels in Vilanova i la Geltru
3. Croatia: Zvončari in the Rijeka and Kastav area
A coastal city on Kvarner Bay, Rijeka sits near the Kastav region, home to one of Croatia’s loudest carnival traditions. During the carnival period, from 17 January to Ash Wednesday, bell-ringers known as Zvončari march through villages across the Kastav area in northwestern Croatia.
What makes it unusual
The look is part wild creature, part shepherd ritual. Zvončari wear sheepskin throws, heavy bells around their waists, and distinctive headwear that often includes evergreen sprigs. They move in groups that can range from just a couple of people to several dozen, led by a guide carrying a small evergreen tree.
The movement is designed for sound and spectacle. The ringers bump hips rhythmically and leap as they walk, then arrive in village squares and form concentric circles while ringing fiercely. The moment ends with food and a rest offered by locals before the group continues to the next village.
Some groups add theatrical characters, including a prankster bear figure who plays off the crowd. At the end of the season, there is also a communal closing ritual that involves collecting rubbish from homes and burning it, pulling the whole village into the ceremony.
How to experience it well
Plan for winter timing and outdoor viewing. The bell-ringers' pageant takes place during the carnival period, with groups walking traditional routes that can stretch for several kilometers.
Rijeka is a great place to stay if you want city energy alongside the tradition. The Halubian bell ringers are regular participants in the international Rijeka Carnival, so you can combine village processions with larger city events.
If you are planning around specific headline dates, Rijeka’s carnival calendar for 2026 includes the Carnival Queen Pageant on 23 January, the Children’s Carnival Parade on 31 January, and the International Carnival Parade on 15 February.
Where to stay
A central pick for travelers who want to stay in the heart of Rijeka and keep everything walkable. With 140 years of tradition, the hotel blends classic character with modern comfort, and it’s an especially good fit if you want a proper reset after long hours outside in the cold. The wellness area includes a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath, a relaxation lounge with sunbeds, treatment rooms, professional massages, and beauty treatments, plus a modern fitness center with Precor equipment.
Food is easy to handle here, which matters during carnival weeks. Kamov Restaurant focuses on Kvarner flavors with seasonal ingredients, and Café Dante leans into coffee and Croatian desserts, complete with a terrace in the warmer seasons.
Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort And Spa
Hilton Rijeka Costabella is a top choice for travelers who want a resort breather between carnival outings. Set on the Adriatic with access to a 200-meter-long pebble beach, it functions as an all-in-one place with six restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Nebo Bar and Lounge.
The pool setup is a major advantage in winter, with a 43-meter-long infinity pool overlooking the sea, an indoor pool, and a hot tub, plus indoor and outdoor kids’ pools and a beachside water play area with fountains and slides. It’s also a good fit for families thanks to the kids’ club, which offers supervised activities for children ages 4 to 12, handy when the carnival schedule is packed and you want downtime without leaving the property.
4. Brazil: Paraty and Bloco da Lama
Paraty is a colonial coastal town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, with a historic center of stone streets and colorful facades. During the carnival (February 13–17, 2026), the town hosts multiple street celebrations, and one of the most unusual is Bloco da Lama, a mud-covered parade that begins by the shore.
What makes it unusual
Bloco da Lama started in 1986, after friends played in the mangroves at Jabaquara Beach and realized the mud made them unrecognizable. The following year, the idea returned as a Carnival bloco, and it has grown into a signature Paraty tradition.
The main ritual is simple and unforgettable. People throw themselves into the silty shallows at Jabaquara Beach, emerge coated in grey mud, then dance and move along the sand with the crowd. The vibe leans playful and primal, often with caveman-style chanting and improvised props.
How to experience it well
Go to Jabaquara Beach first and treat the event as beach time, not a city parade. Wear a swimsuit or clothes you are ready to sacrifice, and bring only what you can rinse later. Expect mud to get everywhere, including hands, hair, and phone screens. Go early enough to claim a spot near the shoreline before the crowd thickens, because the best part is seeing the first wave emerge fully coated.
Plan your cleanup before you leave the beach. Many people wash off in the sea or nearby water before heading toward town, and Paraty also promotes care around the historic center so the mud does not end up on walls, cars, or bystanders.
Where to stay
This is a lovely pick if you want a refined stay right in the Historic Center, with a calm atmosphere that balances the chaos of carnival days. The property offers a spa setup with options such as sauna, hot tub, and massage services, which can feel essential after hours in sun, sand, and crowds. It also has an outdoor pool and quiet common areas that suit slower mornings before the street parties start.
It also works well for travelers who like a hotel to be part of the trip, not just a place to sleep. A complimentary breakfast is included, and the overall layout is designed for lingering, with garden spaces and a library-style feel that matches Paraty’s cultural side. When Bloco da Lama is on the agenda, the ability to return to a comfortable shower, a pool, and a wellness area can make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Sandi Hotel is a great option for a central stay with resort-style comforts, especially if you want to combine Historic Center wandering with recovery time between events. The hotel offers a spa, sauna, fitness facilities, and a year-round outdoor pool, which is a big advantage when you want to wind down after a hot afternoon on the beach or a late night in town.
It is also convenient for a carnival schedule because breakfast is included, and on-site food and drink options help keep logistics simple when restaurants get busy. If your plan is Bloco da Lama at Jabaquara Beach and then evening street events back in the center, staying somewhere that supports quick turnarounds, cleanups, and downtime can be the difference between one wild day and a full weekend you can actually sustain.
5. Canada: Québec City Winter Carnival
Home to one of the world’s best-known winter festivals, Québec City puts on a program built around snow and ice art, outdoor activity sites, and a larger-than-life mascot named Bonhomme. In 2026, the festival runs from February 6 to February 15.
What makes it unusual
The most surreal element is Bonhomme’s Ice Palace, a walk through winter monument built entirely from ice. Add the night parades, where floats and performers move through snowy streets under festival lighting, and the whole city starts to feel like a live stage set.
How to experience it well
Base yourself near the main activity areas so you can drop in and out throughout the day without overplanning. Many signature events are spread across central sites, so a central location helps you stay warm and flexible between sculptures, shows, and evening programming.
Plan for access requirements early. An event pass is required for ages 13 and up.
Where to stay
This is the iconic choice for a festival weekend, mostly because the location keeps you close to the atmosphere even when you are indoors. The hotel sits within the walls of Old Québec, which makes it easy to step out for photos, parade routes, and evening strolls, then come back quickly when the cold ramps up.
It also has the kind of winter-friendly comfort that pairs well with the carnival schedule. There is an indoor heated pool, plus a whirlpool, steam bath, and sauna, which can be a real advantage after hours outdoors. If you are arriving by car, valet parking is available, and there is an electric vehicle charging service.
Hôtel Palace Royal Centre-Ville Québec par JARO
Hotel Palace Royal is a solid option when you want central Québec City access with practical amenities that make winter travel easier. The hotel is known for its indoor pool set in a central courtyard style atrium, which gives you a warm, bright place to unwind without leaving the building.
It also suits a packed festival plan where you might head out, come back to reset, then go out again for the evening. The hotel lists services like concierge and room service, plus a restaurant and bar on site, so meals and downtime stay simple during the busiest nights. There is also indoor public parking and electric vehicle charging stations, which helps if you are driving into the city for the carnival.
View all hotels in Quebec City
Conclusion
These 5 unusual carnival traditions prove how wildly different celebration can look from one place to the next, from feathered hats and flying oranges to bell ringing processions, mud covered parades, and full winter festivals. If you plan around the main event day and stay close enough to rest between outings, the experience becomes easier, safer, and much more fun.
To keep the hotel part simple, use Travelmyth to lock in the kind of accommodation that actually makes a high-energy trip work. Filter for what matters most, family-friendly with an indoor pool, spa comfort near the beach, or anything else your travel style demands, then compare the best matches in one place instead of juggling tabs and second-guessing. When you’re ready, explore our 60 hotel categories and find the exact kind of stay that fits your next trip.
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