HolidayList
🎉 festival

Angola Carnival Day

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

— days to go

Carnival Day in Angola is celebrated on February 17 and marks the culmination of the country's carnival season. The celebration showcases Angola's rich cultural diversity through vibrant parades, traditional music, dance competitions, and colorful costumes. The main festivities take place in Luanda, where carnival groups compete for the title of champion.

History

Carnival was introduced to Angola by Portuguese colonizers and merged with local African traditions, dance styles, and rhythms. After Angola's independence in 1975, carnival evolved to incorporate distinctly Angolan elements, including traditional music styles like semba, kizomba, and kuduro. The celebration was disrupted during the civil war (1975-2002) but has since been revived as a major cultural event.

How It's Celebrated

Carnival groups parade through the streets with elaborately themed floats, costumes, and choreographed dances. Traditional Angolan music plays a central role, with samba and local rhythms blending together. Communities hold street parties, feasts, and cultural events. The day is a public holiday throughout the country.

Other Years

2021 Wed
17 Feb
2022 Thu
17 Feb
2023 Fri
17 Feb
2024 Sat
2/17
2025 Mon
2/17
2026 Tue
2/17
2027 Wed
2/17
2028 Thu
2/17
2029 Sat
17 Feb

Countries

AN

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