After a successful debut in 2021, Grand Carnivale, the “Spectacle of Color, Unlike Any Other” has returned to Carowinds (and multiple other Cedar Fair parks) this season. Described by the park as a “day-to-night, larger-than-life, global celebration,” Grand Carnivale, taking place nightly from June 25-July 10, features a wide range of global cuisine from six countries, unique live entertainment, and concludes nightly with the Spectacle of Color parade.
We recently had the opportunity to attend a preview for Grand Carnivale at Carowinds, and got to take in some of the sights, sounds, and culinary delights that Grand Carnivale has to offer.
The Food
One of the highlights of Grand Carnivale is the food, expertly prepared by the Carowinds culinary team. Featuring 24 menu items — including both sweet and savory options — from Spain, Germany, China, Italy, France, and India, the 2022 edition of the Grand Carnivale menu features 22 all-new items compared to last year’s offerings.
Each of the food booths are located semi-close to Carowinds’ main entrance in Celebration Plaza.
- Germany – Near former Rip Roarin’ Rapids entrance
- France – Inside Funnel Cake Emporium
- India – Adjacent to Burrito Cafe
- China – Between Intimidator and Carolina Skytower
- Italy – Near Nighthawk’s Entrance
- Spain – Near Nighthawk’s Entrance
While each of the samples are available a la carte, your best value option is purchasing a tasting card, good for six ($39.99, ~$6.67 per taste) or ten ($59.99, ~$6.00 per taste) tastes. Our first piece of advice for Grand Carnivale — come hungry. The portion sizes are fantastic for a food festival event. We tried seven samples during our visit. (Yes, we were starving. No, we did not leave hungry!)
Germany: Potato Pancakes and Pretzel Bites
We were “carb loading” for energy at Germany. The Potato Pancakes were served with an apple chutney and sour cream, and had the perfect level of crispiness on the edges, and softness in the middle. The pretzel bites were on the menu last year, but this year featured a different shape, as well as a new beer cheese sauce. They had a fantastic taste, but to be perfectly honest, I love soft pretzels a lot more than most people.
France: Raclette
The French love their cheese, and the Raclette was a great example. Served with arugula on a garlic buttered baguette, there was a great mix of textures with the melty cheese and crisp baguette. I will say, that while it was very tasty, I almost regret not getting the savory crepe or Pear & Brie Crossaint, because they looked really delicious as well.
India: Vada Pav
One of my favorite parts of Carnivale is the opportunity to adventure out a little bit and try something out of my comfort zone. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Indian food, but the Vada Pav, which was a Potato Dumpling inside of a potato bun with two sauces, had an incredible flavor, and just the right kick of spice on the back end. I might have to seek out some Vada Pav in the future!
Spain: Calimari de Ajo
A unique twist on Calimari, the Grand Carnivale Spanish version featured calimari with some peppadew oil and served with peppadew peppers. “Theme park” and “calimari” aren’t often words that belong in the same sentence, but the calimari had a fantastic taste and texture to it. I’d put it up against other calimari dishes at restaurants where it’s regular menu item.
China: Char Siu Pork Belly
Was this dish particularly adventurous? Not really, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t delicious. The steamed bun and teriyaki-glazed pork belly had a great flavor together. (It was also my last taste of the night, and the Spicy Shrimp Udon felt like a lot of food to try to tackle for Taste #7.
Italy: Lasagna Fritta
We’ve made it to my favorite dish of the night, the fried lasagna in Italy. The plate featured three fried lasagna roll-ups that were stuffed with Ricotta Cheese, and featured a hearty tomato sauce. This was a taste that could easily be shared, but there was no way I was going to share with anyone. It was that good.
Live Entertainment
Carnivale features three live shows that run multiple times each night on the Celebration Plaza stage: The Grand Showcase, Royal Rhythms, and Pulse of Carnivale. There are also opening and closing ceremonies, and multiple dance parties that take place throughout the night in Celebration Plaza.
While I didn’t manage to catch a performance of Royal Rhythms (and only caught a portion of the Cirque-inspired Grand Showcase in passing), Carowinds notes that Grand Carnivale guests will be able to “Kick the party into high gear and dance along with members of the Royal Court as they perform the Queen’s favorite hits live on stage!” If Royal Rhythms is anything like other live shows I’ve seen during previous Grand Carnivales (like at Kings Dominion in 2019), it’s certain to be a high energy affair.
Speaking of energy, we need to talk Pulse of Carnivale. This quintet of drummers was easily one of the most fun theme park drumline performances I’ve ever seen. Drumming along to international-inspired beats mixed in with a little “pop” music – Daft Punk’s One More Time and Ricky Martin’s La Copa De Vie/Cup of Life were played among others — Pulse of Carnivale knew how to get the party pumping. Check out a quick sample of the drumline below!
Grand Carnivale also plays host to more than 120 performers who not only march in the nightly “Spectacle of Color” parade (more on that shortly), but also take part in interacting with guests during dance parties in Celebration Plaza.
This isn’t your typical theme park “play Cha Cha Slide” dance party, as the performers all genuinely seemed to be having a fantastic time dancing and interacting with guests young and old. One of the “Pulse of Carnivale” drummers got really into in the short video clip we happened to capture below!
Sometimes you’ve gotta dance like you’re the main character. @Carowinds #GrandCarnivale pic.twitter.com/uJdwy3iBM6
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) June 25, 2022
The Spectacle of Color Parade
A nightly highlight of Grand Carnivale is the Spectacle of Color parade that steps off from Carolina Harbor into County Fair each night at 8:30. It takes a staff of nearly 30 just to operate the parade each night, outside of the aforementioned 120+ performers. Each of the parade’s floats are designed and manufactured by New Orleans’ Kern Studios, known primarily for their design work of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade floats.
While we weren’t able to see the parade in person during the preview (here’s a look at the 2021 parade at Carowinds just in case you’re curious!), we were able to get a behind-the-scenes and up-close-and-personal look at each of the ornate parade floats that will make their way through the midways each night of the Grand Carnivale Celebration.
While there are similarities in Grand Carnivale parade floats, each Grand Carnivale parade, depending on the park where the event takes places, will be a little different. Several of the floats in last year’s parade at Carowinds have been swapped out for new floats, which gives the parade a fresh feel each year.
New Floats for Carowinds this year include the Germany “Oktoberfest” float, and the Spain Float, which is meant to “bring Flamenco Culture to life.”
Each night, eight park guests will get the chance hop aboard the “Mardi Gras” float and throw beads along the parade route. These guests are selected by Carowinds throughout the night who evoke the Carnivale spirit.
I think my favorite float in this year’s parade is the Chinese Float, meant to represent the Chinese New Year. The dragon in the front periodically blows steam out of its nostrils, and it looks amazing!
The Spectacle of Color parade steps off nightly at 8:30 pm. With Carowinds’ operating calendar giving the park longer operating hours than last season, these floats are certainly going to light up the night at Carowinds after not being able to do so last year!
Everything Else
As with any good special event, there’s a good bit of special merchandise. (I almost talked myself into the tie-dye shirt below.)
Carowinds will also feature six limited edition fudge flavors during Carnivale, one to represent each of the six featured countries with flavors including, Pina Colada, Pistachio, German Chocolate Cake, and my personal favorite, Churro.
Carowinds has also created a series of “Instagrammable” moments throughout the Grand Carnivale footprint.
The verdict: Grand Carnivale is such a fun time at Carowinds. The food is great, the park looks amazing, and the live entertainment is fantastic. If you’re in the area and have the opportunity to check out Grand Carnivale, make sure you do it! You won’t regret it!
Grand Carnivale takes place nightly at Carowinds from June 25-July 10. For more information, visit Carowinds’ website, and follow the park on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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