Festivals & Celebrations: fun facts and quiz

Carnival is a burst of parades, music and costumes before Lent. Rio de Janeiro’s is the biggest, with samba schools; Venice’s is famous for elegant masks.

Key fact
Rio’s Carnival draws millions of people onto the streets.

In Mexico, on 1 and 2 November, families welcome the spirits of loved ones with altars, orange marigolds, candles and sugar skulls. It’s joyful, not sad.

Key fact
The Day of the Dead is on UNESCO’s heritage list.

In Spain, people eat twelve grapes at midnight, one per chime. In Scotland, Hogmanay brings “first-footing”: the first visitor of the year brings luck.

Key fact
In Denmark, people smash old plates on friends’ doors for good luck.

Many cultures celebrate the harvest: Thanksgiving in North America, Chuseok in Korea, and the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, with mooncakes and lanterns.

Key fact
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on a full moon.

At La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain, thousands throw tomatoes at each other every August. In Thailand, Songkran marks the new year with huge water fights.

Key fact
La Tomatina began with a street scuffle in 1945.

Fire lights up many festivals. Valencia’s Fallas burn giant satirical figures; Shetland’s Up Helly Aa burns a Viking longship; Britain has Bonfire Night.

Key fact
Las Fallas is on UNESCO’s heritage list.

In Japan, hanami means picnics under blooming cherry trees. In Sweden, Midsummer brings flower crowns and dancing round a maypole.

Key fact
At Swedish Midsummer, people dance around like little frogs.