Carnival celebrations around the world
Revelers covered with talcum powder wait for promotional goodies during the street carnival “Los Indianos” in Santa Cruz de la Palma, on the Spanish Canary island of La Palma, on Feb. 27, 2017.
The event began on Feb. 1 and finishes on March 5 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, to children and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) and street performances.
Click through to see more scenes of people celebrating across the world -- from Haiti to Germany, Italy and Spain.
Madrid, Spain
A performer poses for the camera before the carnival masked ball at Plaza Mayor square on Feb. 25, 2017 in Madrid, Spain.
The carnival, which is believed to come from pagan festivals during the middle ages, takes place across Spain before Lent.
This year Madrid celebrated the 4th centenary of the Plaza Mayor square with a Carnival Masked Ball. The carnival was forbidden for 44 years in Madrid during Franco’s dictatorship.
Mainz, Germany
Women dressed as clowns celebrate the annual Rose Monday parade on Feb. 27, 2017 in Mainz, Germany.
Political satire is a traditional cornerstone of the annual parades and the ascension of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, the rise of the populist far-right across Europe and the upcoming national elections in Germany provided rich fodder for float designers this year.
Mainz, Germany
A float featuring President Trump drives in the annual Rose Monday parade on Feb. 27, 2017 in Mainz, Germany.
Strumica, Macedonia
Costumed revelers perform in a procession on the streets of Strumica during the great evening carnival on Feb. 25, 2017.
The renowned carnival, which marks the beginning of the Christian Orthodox Lent, attracted hundreds of participants and tens of thousands of visitors in Strumica.
Ivrea, Italy
People throw oranges at each other during the traditional “battle of the oranges” as part of the carnival in Ivrea, near Turin, on Feb. 26, 2017.
During the event which marks the people’s rebellion against tyrannical lords who ruled the town in the Middle Ages, revelers parading on floats represent guards of the tyrant, while those on foot the townsfolk.
Les Cayes, Haiti
People perform during the 2017 National Carnival Parade on Feb. 26, 2017, in the city of Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.
The name of the carnival for this year is “Tet ansanb pou gran sid leve kanpe,” in Haitian creole, (together for the South to rise up).
Last year 546 people died and more than 175,000 people lost their homes when Hurricane Matthew roared ashore on Oct. 4, packing 143-mile-per-hour winds in Haiti. Food, medicine and other essential aids took time to reach the areas struck by Hurricane Matthew.
Les Cayes, Haiti
People perform during the 2017 National Carnival Parade on Feb. 26, 2017, in the city of Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.
Tripoli, Lebanon
A Lebanese boy takes part in the Zambo carnival held in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Feb. 26, 2017, to mark the last period of excess on the eve of the Christian Greek Orthodox lent.
The inspiration of the annual Zambo celebration is unclear, despite it being a tradition that stretches back over a century to when an emigrant to Brazil returned to his native Tripoli bringing the carnival with him.
Panama City
Revelers take part in a carnival parade in Panama City on Feb. 26, 2017.
Granville, France
People parade during the annual UNESCO listed carnival of Granville, northwestern France, on Feb. 26, 2017.
Getty Images contributed to this report.