Carnival (Mardi Gras)
In the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, the Haitian Carnival is celebrated amidst colourful street parades and psychedelic costumes. The Lenten period is marked with scarcity and sober reflections, so this festival is celebrated prior to lent and people go all out and indulge in their extravagance before lent.
The biggest Madi Gras carnival is held in Port-au-Prince, the island’s capital with smaller versions across other towns. This carnival attracts many tourists and celebrants from other Caribbean islands and North America.
Haiti’s wealthy families, businesses and government usually sponsor this extravagant carnival.
