Carnival

Rise in mixed pagan and Christian traditions
According to Wikipedia, the Carnival is a time of parties governed by the lunar year which has its origins in antiquity and was recovered by Christianity, which began on the day of Kings (Epiphany) and ended on Wednesday of ash on the eve of Lent.
The period was marked by a carnival of "farewell to meat" or "meat is worth nothing" giving rise to the term "carnival". During the carnival there was a high concentration of popular celebrations. Each city to play their way, according to their customs.
The modern carnival, parades and costumes made of, is the product of nineteenth-century Victorian society. The cities of Paris and Venice are the major exporters of models party carnival for the world. Cities like Nice, New Orleans, Toronto and Rio de Janeiro carnival is inspired by French, to deploy its new carnival celebrations.
Today the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is considered one of the largest parades in the world.
In Portugal there is a big carnival tradition, particularly the Carnivals of Podence, Ovar, Lisbon, Sesimbra, Rio Maior, Torres Vedras, Sines, Mealhada, among others. The Carnaval de Torres, is the oldest and most said the Portuguese of Portugal, as it remains popular and true to tradition while rejecting the samba and other foreigners.
For the history and etymology, some researchers argue that the carnival has historical roots dating back to Jasons and similar celebrations in Rome, while other historians even more daring to link to the Carnival celebrations in honor of the goddess Isis and the god Osiris, in Egypt old. Another believes that the current festival began with the adoption of the Christian calendar.