Grab your dancing shoes, don a mask, and get ready to dance, because Carnival 2016 has officially kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. And while you have probably seen the dazzling images of revelers partying all night long and samba schools battling it out to take home the title in Brazil, you may be surprised to know that people in Croatia, Belgium, Russia, and beyond celebrate Carnival, too. Some celebrations (like Brazil's) are pegged to the start of the Christian holy period of Lent, while many of those north of the equator draw on traditions celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring. But while each culture has its own unique way of celebrating, good food, vibrant music, creative costumes, and a willingness to leave behind worries are the key ingredients for any good Carnival celebration.
Ahead, stunning photos of how people around the world celebrate Carnival.
Caption: A reveler looks on as Rex, King of Carnival, parades down St. Charles Avenue during Mardi Gras Day in 2014 in New Orleans. Fat Tuesday, the traditional celebration on the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, is marked in New Orleans with parades and marches.
Brazil
Members of the Beija-Flor samba school perform during the second day of the Carnival parade in the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, in February 2015.
A reveler dances dressed in indigenous clothing at a pre-Carnival "bloco," or street party, during the unofficial opening of Rio's 2016 Carnival on Jan. 3. The revelers marched through Rio's historic Centro neighborhood kicking off Carnival festivities, which officially begin Feb. 5. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games commence in August.
Members of the Portela Samba School perform during the Champions' Parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro during last year's Carnival. Dancers from Portela came in fifth place in the samba competition.
Switzerland
A marching band dressed as cats plays piccolos during the Carnival in Basel.
Macedonia
Disguised revelers take part in a Carnival procession through the town of Vevchani in 2011. The Vevchani Carnival is 1,400 years old and is held every year on the eve of the feast of Saint Basil, which also marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Julian calendar, observed by the Macedonian Orthodox Church. The masks are handmade, and the performances typically present everything from pagan rituals to Bible stories to political satire of current events.
South Africa
Brazilian Carnival dancer Marcella Alvez performs at a media conference in 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. The dancers performed in a preview for the Cape Town Carnival.
Belgium
Clown-like performers known as Gilles take part in a Carnival parade in the streets of Binche on Shrove Tuesday last year. The Binche Carnival tradition is one of the most ancient, and was inscribed on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Russia
People in the village of Khlyupino take part in the celebration of Maslenitsa (Shrovetide), a farewell ceremony to winter, in 2015. Shrovetide precedes the beginning of Lent, with each day of the week holding its own meaning. Shrove Sunday, also known as the Sunday of Forgiveness, is a day for asking forgiveness for the harm caused to other people intentionally or unintentionally.
France
People take part in the Carnival of Dunkirk (Dunkerque) in northern France in 2014. This year about 50,000 people are expected to participate in the first day of the event, which runs for three days.
Croatia
Members of a traditional Carnival procession dance in the city of Rijeka's main street in 2008. With more than 10,000 participants, this city's Carnival is one of the biggest in Europe.
Czech Republic
A man leads local residents dressed to look like a horse across a field covered with snow as they attend a traditional Carnival on Jan. 23 in Roztoky. Carnivals across the Czech Republic mark the end of winter, welcoming spring and the beginning of Lent.
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