Many other Catholic cultures around the world have their own celebrations, and we think NoLa's sound advice applies to watching or partaking of Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and anywhere else, for that matter. Note that while most of the Caribbean islands hold wonderful festivities and traditional contests in honor of Mardi Gras, many have shifted their celebrations away from the Lenten period to the summer or other busy tourist times to enhance the destination’s tourist appeal.

Carnivals Around the United States

New Orleans, Louisiana

Since the devastation suffered during 2005's Hurricane Katrina, the civic party has been more limited than past years. However, preparations will begin in January with events scheduled for weeknds leading up to Mardi Gras, February 5, 2008. There will be fewer nights of festive parades by Krewes (secret societies which compete for the most lavish floats) and marching bands; though often unsuitable for children and modest adults, these late-into-the-night events are great fun. This year, Hulk Hogan and Kevin Costner join in, too. However, there will be many good-clean-fun events to choose from, and families can visit the site: www.mardigrasneworleans.com to determine which hotels have available rooms for this period.

In the past, the New Orleans Tourist Office has suggested that kids don't belong in the French Quarter or on Canal Street during Mardi Gras. Instead, take the family to St. Charles Avenue between First Street and Napoleon Avenue. According to the tourist office, "The atmosphere is good, clean family fun."

Mobile, Alabama

In America's own Mobile, Alabama, locals claim they’ve celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday since 1703, when their fair city was the capital of France’s Louisiana Province. The fun at "America's Family Mardi Gras" as they like to describe themselves, begins in January on Dauphin Island and continues through with weekend festivities and parties, until Mardi Gras Tuesday when parades and lavish costumed events occur. If you are there for it, please tell us all about the scheduled Infant Mystics Parade! The Mobile Bay website) has lodging and other events information as well.

Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola, Florida is better known for its Blue Angels than its extensive Mardi Gras party, but it's quickly become a local tradition. For several dates in January, then Friday, Saturday and Monday through February 5, families are more than welcome at galleries and local festivities. Expect to join in the bead throwing as parades pass by, and the catching of moonpies as they are tossed from floats. Count on the Krewe of Junkanoo Kritter Krawl at the Gulfside Pavilion to thrill the kids, who can stay after the pets have passed and join their own Krewe of Kids parade. Contests and Cajun food festivals abound. If you can find accommodations, they’re ususally a good value during this period, with doubles sleeping a family of four for under $100/night; call 800/874-1234 or go online for more information.

Port Arthur, Texas

Heading west to Port Arthur, Texas, the Cajun-style holiday is celebrated over the last weekend in January of 2008 with a boat parade and lots of barbecue. Not the best season to visit what it usually a popular summertime resort area, nonetheless, the hotels (most major chains are represented here) are a bargain and there is a full schedule of free, family-worthy events. Check out Port Arthur's Mardigras site for the current attractions at the Kids Mardi Gras Carnival which runs simultaneously.

Carnivals Around the World

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the many nights of Carnival’s raucous street parties, parades and dance-a-thons take on the colors, sensual sounds and picante flavors of Brazil’s African heritage. Beginning the prior December and continuing weekly through Carnival Sunday are dozens of samba school lessons, costume workshops and other preparatory events to build the carioca spirit. Only cheap seats for the bleachers will be left for the Samba Schools Parade held the Sunday and Monday before the big day, Mardi Gras (Feb. 5, 2008); each school's 80-minute parade may have up to 10 floats and 4,000 participants. Call Riotur, the tourist office (55-21/2239-4448) for information and ... watch out for pickpockets. See Riotur’s website for more information about attractions and events during this season.

Dominica, Eastern Caribbean

On the lesser known island of Dominica, between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, Carnival or Mas Domnik extends from four weeks prior to Fat Tuesday to a few weeks after. Highlights for families include the Carnival Princess Show (at the Old Mill), in which contestants from various primary schools compete for Princess; the Soca Superstar Rupee international artists' concert (Carnival City); the Teenage Pageant there, usually the next day; and the Stardom King of the Tent competition to select the Calypso King (at Reigate Downtown.) For information on accommodations, call 888/645-5637 (toll free from US) or visit the Dominica tourist office.

Germany

All around Germany, cities with a largely Catholic population celebrate with parades, costume balls, puppet theaters and carnival choruses. The exact time of celebration and the traditions vary from county to county, but Karneval generally takes place in early spring. Munich, Cologne and Mainz are strongholds of Mardi Gras celebrations. Some highlights: In Mainz, there’s a children’s costume parade, with nearly 4,000 youngsters, many in elaborately decorated floats, taking part. Cologne (or Koln) celebrates from Feb. 1-5, but on the 4th, Rose Monday ("Rosenmontag"), the city hosts Europe’s largest float-filled parade, takes place. During this time in the Bavarian capital of Munich, revelers enjoy the famous Fasching doughnuts, an annual treat purchased –– and consumed –– by the dozen! For schedule information, visit the official German Tourist Office site.

Italy, Venice

In a country where everything is high style, the colorful Carnevale di Venezia in Venice is the largest Carnival celebration. For 2008, it will take place from mid-January to early February. As they have since the year 1268, strolling citizens clad in elaborate, themed costumes and masks will parade each evening, entertaining visitors clustered in the Piazza San Marco and other neighborhood squares. Giovedi Grasso and Martedi Grasso are the biggest nights; this website is a good resource for a schedule of activities. The masks are popular with all ages, and with people from all walks of life, and usually represent characters from classic Italian folk tales. The largest, most elite party is perhaps Il Ballo del Doge (The Duke's Ball), notes Guido D'Ugo. "The ball takes place, ironically, along the Grand Canal, rather than at the famous Doge's Palace," adds Mr. D'Ugo, president of Ciao Italy Travel, a tour operator specializing in cultural trips to Italy. "It's cooler outside, and, because of all the canals, a mist hangs in the air. People in fantastical attire appear and fade into the fog. It's surreal."

Mexico

Families will find somewhat toned-down celebrations in Mexico, where Catholics spend five days enjoying music, dance, parades and feasts before the arrival of Lent. The narrow streets of Mazatlan, Mexico's largest Carnaval, fill with organized parades of masked and costumed dancers, local mariachi, live bands from Cuba and the Caribbean, and visiting revelers. It's more fun than Spring Break and room rates are lower! The oceanside Malecón running along Olas Altas Beach downtown is the prime parade route; grab a spot and watch the regional Sinaloenses bands with lots of brass, passing paper mache floats (some very elaborate) and performing rock groups. Food festivals are organized in the Zona Dorada and the Plaza Machado, and there is an on-going fair with amusement park rides for all ages running for about two weeks. Known for its Afro-Caribbean-influenced culture, the port city of Veracruz hosts Mexico’s second-largest Carnaval; its parade features Draculas, drag queens and women in outrageous sparkling dresses dancing to the Caribbean - Spanish rhythms along Miguel Avila Camacho Boulevard. Take your outgoing kids to the historic zócalo, or central square, to join in the evening dancing. Smaller celebrations are held in Merida, Ensenada, La Paz and Cozumel.

Trinidad & Tobago

The twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), the most southerly islands in the Caribbean,explains Carnival as a celebration of its self-identity and multicultural history. With the entire nation focusing energy into a creation of artistry and music (not to say Soca dancing!), culturally-rich Trinidad and the beach-rimmed Tobago welcome visitors to their annual re-birth. Each week in January brings smaller events and contests, leading up to a Junior Panorama Steel Drum play off and Junior King & Queen of Carnival competitions. From dawn on Carnival Monday through the night of Mardi Gras (Carnival Tuesday), the festival unites local and foreign communities in celebrating a proud Caribbean tradition. For more information, visit the Trinidad & Tobago website.

In fact, any family traveling during this period should check with the local tourist office to see what the locals have in store. This season, we’ve noted celebrations from DisneyWorld to Cuba, wherever the party spirit lives on!