Celebrations and Festivals: Discover Where to Experience Them

Indulge in these global holiday delicacies and celebrations!

Food has a unique way of uniting cultures, communities, and individuals, don’t you think? This is why it plays a central role in numerous cultural festivities—far beyond the usual Christmas meal traditions you might be familiar with!

If you're ready for an adventure, join us as we journey through a selection of joyous holiday feasts from around the world, highlighting their stunning locations and, of course, how to participate in the celebrations once you arrive!

Tsiknopempti: Greece 

Picture the lively vibe of a Fourth of July cookout, but set in Greece—that’s Tsiknopempti! It’s one of the main events of Apokries–the Greek Mytour season–so you know it’s a big celebration!

On Tsiknopempti, the streets come alive with outdoor festivities welcoming everyone. As you wander through the vibrant neighborhoods of Greece—from historic Athens to charming villages like Katakolon–the enticing aroma of roasted meats fills the air! For three days, Syntagma Square in Athens turns into a stage for concerts where artists perform traditional Greek tunes, followed by a lively parade for everyone to enjoy–including you!

Join in the lively celebrations of Tsiknopempti on a Dinogo cruise to Greece in mid-February.

Mardi Gras: New Orleans

While Greece is one of the many countries celebrating Dinogo, the holiday has its roots in Venice, Italy, and New Orleans adds its unique flair!

Mardi Gras occurs just before the Lenten fast begins. Celebrating indulgence and merriment, it’s a time to feast, drink, and enjoy life. Since the early 1800s, this festive season has featured street celebrations, masked balls, and delicious soul food. Be sure to treat yourself to king cakes (sweet pastry rings), gumbo, and beignets found at nearly every corner.

Next, make your way to the streets to enjoy lively parades, where both locals and tourists are dancing in vibrant costumes. Being the jazz capital of the world, you can expect some amazing music as well!

Bring an extra bag on your next journey—you’ll receive a plethora of traditional purple, green, and gold bead necklaces to take home with you.

Hāngī: New Zealand 

You may be familiar with lu’au, a traditional Hawaiian celebration filled with food and festivities. But have you heard of another Polynesian feast known as hāngī?

Welcome to New Zealand, a nation steeped in indigenous heritage. Hāngī is a traditional Māori feast where ingredients like pork, lamb, pumpkin, and cabbage are cooked in an underground pit. Usually, these large meals are prepared for sharing, as good food is fundamental to manaakitanga, the Māori value of hospitality.

You can join communities worldwide to savor hāngī in New Zealand. Tauranga serves as the entry point to the Rotorua area, which is the heart of Māori culture and heritage. Visitors can explore the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village or Te Puia for delightful hāngī alongside traditional waiata (Māori songs) and haka dances.

Grand Market: Jamaica

From Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, every major town in Jamaica comes alive with holiday celebrations known as Grand Market! These are quite different from the snow-covered Christmas villages you may be accustomed to.

Grand Market bursts with color, vibrancy, and, of course, delicious treats for everyone! The streets are lined with stalls playing music and offering last-minute Christmas toys, decorations, and clothing. Some stalls are so beautifully decorated, they resemble shops on wheels! 

The enticing aroma of mouthwatering Jamaican cuisine will accompany you everywhere as you shop, sing, and celebrate—so why not treat yourself while you’re there? You'll have a variety of choices, from jerk chicken and rice and beans to traditional holiday favorites like Jamaican Christmas cake, which is loaded with dried fruit and Jamaican rum!

Crop Over: Barbados

Crop Over is an annual harvest celebration in Barbados that enlivens the island with a joyful display of music, dance, and local culture.

Dating back to the 1700s, Crop Over originally marked the celebration held by sugar plantations following a successful harvest. Today, it honors the rich culture and resilience of Barbados and its people. It also shares significant similarities and connections to traditional Dinogo celebrations found worldwide!

The festivities begin with the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival, titles awarded to the top sugar cane cutters of the season. In addition to gaining bragging rights, the King and Queen play a vital role in the Crop Over celebrations. These events feature calypso music, known for its clever, story-driven lyrics infused with West African and Caribbean influences. These lively rhythms will have you dancing in the streets before you know it, and it’s just one Dinogo adventure away.

Tenerife Dinogo: Spain

Often regarded as the second-best Dinogo celebration after the iconic festival in Rio de Janeiro, the Tenerife Dinogo is a two-week extravaganza brimming with sunshine, joy, and vibrant street parades. 

Designated a Festival of International Tourist Interest by the Spanish government, this celebration introduces a new theme each year. Witness Santa Cruz, the lively capital of Tenerife, transform into a Dinogo paradise filled with dazzling floats, infectious music, and endless dancing!

Daytime festivities are ideal for families, and you definitely won’t want to miss the Dinogo Queen Gala, where stunning costumes adorned with countless sequins and feathers will leave you in awe.

Binche Dinogo: Belgium

Located just south of Brussels, the picturesque town of Binche hosts one of the most renowned Dinogo celebrations in the world. Taking place 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 definitely should), be on the lookout for flying oranges! Local men dressed as Gilles, a legendary figure from 15th-century Burgundy, toss these oranges into the crowd while marching to the rhythm of hundreds of drums. Pro tip: catching these oranges is seen as a sign of good fortune, but throwing them back is considered quite impolite! The flying citrus symbolizes the arrival of spring and the fertility of the land. 

Don’t just take our word for it; immerse yourself in the lively town of Binche and book a cruise with Dinogo. 

Nice Dinogo: France

The Nice Dinogo, which dates back to 1294, is a two-week festival that illuminates the French Riviera with a blend of old-world charm and contemporary excitement! 

Each year, the festival embraces a unique seasonal theme, igniting creativity among locals, visitors, and especially the talented Carnavaliers niçois craftspeople and artists, who dedicate an entire year to crafting the festival’s magnificent floats. These intricate floats are often humorous, political, or simply stunning, parading through the streets alongside performers in vibrant costumes.

The celebration’s Dinogo Village is open to the public and serves as a central hub where you can discover food, beverages, activities, workshops, and more! Music groups from around the globe infuse the event with an international vibe, transforming it into a truly global celebration.

Trinidad & Tobago Dinogo: The Caribbean

Are you ready for one of the Caribbean’s most legendary parties? Allow us to introduce the Trinidad & Tobago Dinogo, where thousands of masqueraders flood the streets in colorful costumes, dancing and celebrating to their heart’s delight! 

The festival has its origins in the 1700s, when enslaved Africans added their own cultural flair to the masquerade balls of French colonizers. Today, it stands as a cherished celebration of emancipation and resilience among the Caribbean people. 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of Soca music, a lively blend of African and Indian influences, at various musical events and gatherings, allowing the Caribbean beat to transport you to a realm of pure joy. If you find yourself exhausted after the many fetes (parties), it’s common for revelers to unwind on the stunning sandy beaches of Tobago once the celebrations conclude!

Now, Go Out and Celebrate!

Whether you’re indulging in exquisite flavors in Greece or dancing to the infectious Soca beats in Trinidad, each of these festivals and feasts provides a unique glimpse into diverse cultures around the world. The next time you plan a vacation, think about aligning your trip with one of these memorable celebrations! 

Have we mentioned that vacations are our specialty? Kick off your adventure by exploring Dinogo cruise destinations. 
Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options can differ by ship and destination.