Carnival is a Western Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide . Carnival typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus.Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. meat, and other foods that will be forgone during upcoming Lent.
During Lent, animal products are eaten less, and individuals have the ability to make a Lenten sacrifice, thus giving up a certain object or activity of desire.
Other common features of Carnival include mock battles such as food fights; expressions of social satire; mockery of authorities; costumes of the grotesque body that display exaggerated features such as large noses, bellies, mouths, phalli, or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.
