Feast your eyes on these international holiday foods and festivities!
Food brings cultures, communities, and people together, wouldn’t you say? That’s why it’s at the heart of many cultural celebrations–way more than the traditional Christmas dinner foods you may know!
So if you’re hungry for adventure, come tag along as we explore a few festive holiday meals across the globe, their beautiful destinations, and of course how to enjoy the festivities once you’re there!
Tsiknopempti: Greece
Imagine the exciting atmosphere of a Fourth of July barbecue, but in Greece–that’s Tsiknopempti! It’s a highlight of Apokries–the Greek Carnival season–so you can be sure they go all out!
During Tsiknopempti, the streets are lined with outdoor parties where all are welcome. As you stroll through the sprawling neighborhoods of Greece–from ancient Athens to remote villages like Katakolon–you’ll smell plenty of delicious roasted meats for sale! For three days, Syntagma Square in Athens transforms into a concert stage where performers dance to and sing traditional Greek songs. It’s followed by a music parade for all to see–including you!
Experience the vibrant festivities of Tsiknopempti for yourself on a Carnival cruise to Greece in mid-February.
Mardi Gras: New Orleans
Greece is just one of the many places that celebrate Carnival! The origins of the holiday trace back to Venice, Italy, but New Orleans has its own spin!
Mardi Gras takes place right before the fasts of Lent begin. As a celebration of excess and revelry, Mardi Gras is a time to eat, drink, and be merry. And since the early 19th century, celebrations include street parties, masked balls, and of course soul food feasts. So grab some delicious king cakes (sweet pastry rings), gumbo, and beignets that are available just about every turn.
Then, head to the streets to watch bustling parades, where locals and visitors alike are dancing and decked out in colorful costumes. It’s the jazz capital of the world, so you’re guaranteed some incredible music too!
Pack an extra bag with you on your next trip–you’ll be gifted tons of traditional purple, green, and gold bead necklaces to take home.
Hāngī: New Zealand
You might’ve heard of lu’au, a traditional Hawaiian party featuring food and entertainment. But have you heard of another Polynesian feast called hāngī?
Enter: New Zealand, a land rich with indigenous history. Hāngī is a traditional Māori meal where foods like pork, lamb, pumpkin, and cabbage are steamed in an underground pit. Typically, large meals are prepared to share with plenty of people–good food, after all, is central to manaakitanga, the Māori concept of hospitality.
You can come together with communities all over the world to enjoy hāngī in New Zealand. Tauranga is the gateway to the Rotorua region, the central hub of Māori culture and heritage. Visitors can head to the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village or Te Puia for delicious hāngī accompanied by traditional waiata (Māori songs) and haka dances.
Grand Market: Jamaica
From Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, all major towns in Jamaica are alight with holiday festivities known as Grand Market! These aren’t the snow-covered Christmas villages you might be used to.
Grand Market is full of color, energy, and of course tasty treats for all! The streets are packed with stalls playing music and selling last-minute Christmas toys, decorations, and clothing. Some stalls are so decked out, they look like stores on wheels!
The smell of delicious Jamaican food will follow you everywhere you go as you shop, sing, and celebrate–so why not indulge while you’re there? You’ll have your pick of everything from jerk chicken, rice and beans to local holiday staples like Jamaican Christmas cake that’s filled with dried fruit and Jamaican rum!
Crop Over: Barbados
Crop Over is an annual harvest festival in Barbados, bringing the island to life in a fun-filled celebration of music, dance, and local culture.
Originating in the 1700s, Crop Over was traditionally a celebration that sugar plantations would hold after a successful harvest season. Today, it commemorates the beautiful culture and resilience of Barbados and its people. It also has strong similarities and ties to traditional Carnival celebrations around the world!
The fun kicks off with the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival, titles awarded to the top sugar cane cutters of that season. Along with bragging rights, the King and Queen of the Festival play a significant role in the Crop Over festivities. These festivities include calypso music, known for its witty, narrative-driven tunes with West African and Caribbean influences. These beats will have you dancing in the streets in no time, and it’s just one Carnival Cruise Line trip away.
Tenerife Carnival: Spain
Often hailed as runner-up only to the legendary Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, the Tenerife Carnival is a two-week festival overflowing with sun, smiles, and street parades.
Named a Festival of International Tourist Interest by the Spanish government, this celebration keeps it fresh with a new theme every year. Watch as Santa Cruz, the bustling capital of Tenerife, transforms into a Carnival wonderland filled with vibrant floats, dance-worthy music, and nonstop dancing!
Daytime events are perfect for families, and you won’t want to miss the Carnival Queen Gala, where you’ll be dazzled by costumes draped in countless sequins and feathers.
Binche Carnival: Belgium
Just south of Brussels, Belgium, the charming town of Binche hosts one of the world’s most iconic Carnival celebrations. Held every year on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, this festival is even recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
If you catch the parade (which you absolutely should), watch out for flying oranges! Local men dressed as Gilles, a legendary figure from 15th-century Burgundy France, toss them into the crowd while marching to the beat of hundreds of drums. Pro tip: catching these oranges is considered good luck, but tossing them back is considered very rude! The airborne citrus symbolizes the coming of spring and the fertility of the land.
Don’t just take our word for it, explore the vibrant town of Binche firsthand and book a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line.
Nice Carnival: France
The Nice Carnival, which dates all the way back to 1294, is a two-week celebration that lights up the French Riviera with old-world charm and modern-day fun!
Every year, the festival has a unique seasonal theme, inspiring great creativity among visitors, locals, and especially the skilled Carnavaliers niçois craftspeople and artists, who work year-long to create the festival’s splendid floats. These elaborate floats are known to be humorous, political, or simply beautiful, and they parade through the streets alongside performers in colorful costumes.
The celebration’s Carnival Village is free to the public and offers a central hub where you can find food, beverages, activities, workshops, and more! Music troupes from all over the world bring an international flavor to the event, making it a truly global celebration.
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival: The Caribbean
Ready for one of the Caribbean’s most iconic parties? Let us introduce the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, where thousands of masqueraders take over the streets in colorful costumes, all dancing and celebrating to their heart’s content!
The festival dates back to the 1700s, when enslaved Africans mocked and put their own cultural spin on French colonizers’ masquerade balls. Today, it’s a beloved celebration of emancipation and resistance among the Caribbean people.
Groove to the beats of Soca music, a lively mix of African and Indian influences, at various music events and gatherings, and let the rhythm of the Caribbean take you away to a place of totally uninhibited joy. If you find yourself tired after all the fetes (parties), it’s common for people to rest and relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of Tobago after the celebration ends!
Now, Go Out and Celebrate!
Whether you’re savoring some truly spectacular flavors in Greece or moving and grooving to Soca beats in Trinidad, every one of these festivals and feasts offers a one-of-a-kind look into worldwide cultures. Next time you’re planning a getaway, consider timing your trip with one of these unforgettable celebrations!
Did we mention we’re really good at vacations? Get your trip started by browsing Carnival cruise destinations.
Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.