Explore the Top February Travel Destinations for Epic Celebrations

February is our absolute favorite month to travel, as it holds some of the best opportunities for adventure and celebration. Discover the top February travel destinations that offer unique experiences, vibrant festivals, and breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for a winter getaway.

As the winter cold is at its most extreme, this month provides the chance to escape to warmer climates or indulge in epic celebrations. From lively carnivals to winter festivals, February is packed with options that cater to the partiers out there.

Whether you’re seeking a tropical getaway or a winter wonderland, February’s offerings are sure to inspire your wanderlust. Let’s explore the top 12 February travel destinations and make the most of your travel plans!

The Top February Travel Destinations #1: Brazil

Welcome to the month of Carnaval! The top February travel destinations are those that celebrate big. Although it can sometimes run into March, the majority of the festivities happen during a two week span. They mostly start sometime in February, and can vary a bit as the dates depend on the holy calendar.

Brazil is one of the best places in the world to travel in February. This is because it is home to the most famous celebrations of Carnaval in the world. The biggest one is held in Rio de Janeiro, where you can find people dressed in costumes, parties in the streets, huge concerts, and parades with extravagantly dressed women.

Although the most famous location is Rio de Janeiro, there are celebrations all over the country! The largest ones also include Sao Paolo, Fortaleza, Salvador, and Recife. So grab your costumes and glitter, and get ready to attend some of the biggest parties of your life!

The Best Places to Travel in February #2: Tenerife, Spain

Another one of the biggest locations for Carnival is Spain. The primary location for the largest parties are actually located in the Canary Islands, on the island of Tenerife. 

This may be a small island, but we can promise you that you won't be disappointed. Start from midday, and stay through the night. The weather is perfect, and celebrations are big. Get ready to party like you never have before, staying out on the streets drinking and dancing til 8 AM.

When it comes to bang for your buck, the Canary Islands are one of the best in the world. If you want great weather, food, beaches, parties, and prices, then Tenerife is the spot for you. We definitely suggest the Canary Islands as one of the best places to travel in February, and one for the bucket list.

Want more info about the carnival in Tenerife and the surrounding islands? Check out all the detailed information on our Tenerife Travel Guide.

Best Places to Travel in February #3: Cadiz, Spain

The second biggest Carnival destination in Spain is located in the southern province of Andalusia. Cadiz is a beautiful coastal town that is normally very quaint. But once February hits, the town sure does come to life, So grab a costume, and be ready to party all day and all night with your friends on the streets of Cadiz.

The Best Places to Travel in February #3: New Orleans, USA

This is one of the most wild holidays around the world celebrated out there. Mardi Gras is widely celebrated through the US, but the number one celebration is in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is essentially the US version of Carnival, and it happens during the same two week span.

Mardi Gras actually translates to "Fat Tuesday", which is the last day of the festival. The significance is because it had been thought of as the last day to be able to "eat fatty foods", since it falls right before Ash Wednesday and the start of lent.

The traditions consist of parades of elaborate decorations and costumes, everything dressed in the colors of purple, green, and gold. The two main symbols of the holiday are the beautifully decorated masks, and the strings of beads that are thrown to girls for flashing the public.

The Best Places to Travel in February #5: China

The reason China is one of the top February travel destinations is two-fold. This is when they celebrate the new year, which is the biggest celebration in the country, as well as their lantern festival.

Unlike the traditional calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year. The date depends on the lunar calendar, and can be anywhere from Mid January to the end of February. Meanwhile, the Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar (which is usually February).

The New Year is celebrated with parades, fireworks, special dinners, and gift giving, and is definitely a magical time to experience the Chinese traditions. Then the Lantern Festival follow by celebrating Spring, with the dreamy lanterns flying in the air.

The Best Places to Travel in February #6: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Did you know that Chinese New Year isn't only celebrated in China? Actually, it is also celebrated in Malaysia! (Also unlike China, you won't need a visa to visit)

Also known as the spring festival, the celebrations take place primarily in Kuala Lumpur, and are revolved around the lunar calendar. They include red lanterns, cultural events, and fireworks to kick off the new year, making it another one of the top February travel destinations.

The Best Places to Travel in February #7: Singapore

Another incredible celebration in Asia during February is the lantern festival. Located on Sentosa Island in Singapore, the festival is one where thousands of lanterns are lit and then released into the sky.

It's a magical celebration where wishes are made, bringing people from all over together for hope and prosperity.

The Best Places to Travel in February #8: Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla isn't normally one of our favorite parts of Colombia, but they sure do know how to throw a party. Just like other places throughout the world, Colombia celebrates carnival with parades in the streets and extravagant costumes.

Barranquilla is home to this fabulous festival, and it's just two hours from Cartagena, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, as well as South America! Before or after the the carnival, we suggest checking out all that the Caribbean part of Colombia has to offer.

The Best Places to Travel in February #9: Trinidad and Tobago

Looking for more Caribbean carnivals? Well Trinidad & Tobago offers one of the biggest celebrations in the Caribbean Islands. Enjoy the heat, and join in on the fun while the local women are dripped in jewels dancing to the Caribbean beats.

Unlike the other Carnival celebrations, the festival here is just a few days. The festivities are taken place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, as well as the weekend leading up to these dates.

The Best Places to Travel in February #10: Venice, Italy

Head to Italy and you'll find another great set of carnivals, the most famous one being in Venice. Have you ever seen the mask souvenirs in the many shops there? Well they are significant of the famous carnival that takes place every year.

The city's main events are centered around Piazza San Marco, and there are also other events held in every sestiere (quarter). There are gondola parades along the canals, a mask parade in Piazza San Marco, and a special carnival for children event in the Cannaregio district.

This year the dates start from Saturday, January 27th, and goes until Tuesday, February 13th.

The Best Places to Travel in February #11: Ivrea, Italy

This is one of the most unique events the world and places to travel in February! While the carnival in Venice is full of beautiful masks, parades, and dances, the carnival in Ivrea is more the more wild ones out there.

Every year the small northern town of Ivrea hosts "Battle of the Oranges" where thousands gather to have the biggest food fight in the country. It's similar to "La Tomatina" in Spain, but is done with oranges, and is definitely one to add to the bucket list!

The three day long festival stretches from Sunday to Shrove Tuesday each year. This year the dates are February 11th to the 13th, at 10 am.

The Best Places to Travel in February #12: Sydney, Australia

Since 1978 the iconic city of Sydney has been hosting one of the biggest LGBT parades in the entire world. Not only that, but it is the first one ever to be had in the Southern Hemisphere!

For 2022 from February 18th to March 6th tens of thousands will flood the streets of city for the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The couple of weeks is full of pride with fabulous costumes, bright colors, and the best vibes. 

Not only is the festival super exciting, but it is summertime in Australia, making it an even more fun experience, and one of the best places to travel in February.

If you like to party and experience unique celebrations through the world, then make sure to save the month of February for traveling! We hope you enjoyed our list of top February travel destinations, and continue to tick off epic places and experiences off your bucket list.

Want to know what other great places there are to travel in the following months? We have plenty of other guides for great place to travel each month, as well as tons of great bucket list events throughout the globe.

Need help planning your trip? Well, now with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you can explore more and spend less. Leave the work to us and have your post epic trip! 

Here are some other articles you'll love: