Ponce, Puerto Rico: Carnival
January 3-February 5
Celebrating its 150th year, Puerto Rico's biggest bash is the Caribbean answer to the Brazilian and New Orleans' famous celebrations leading up to Ash Wednesday. The undisputed king of Carnival are the vejigante, costumed figures flamboyantly dressed and wearing demon masks. Representing Puerto Rican folk legends, these are local icons and the main authors, facilitators, and stars of the show. Carnival is the best time to visit Puerto Rico's Second City. 
www.letsgotoponce.com
 

New Orleans, LA: Mardi Gras
February 5
Music, drinks, dancing, debauchery, and those famous beads ... New Orleans continues its rise and return with a much-anticipated and publicized Mardi Gras celebration. Go for the parades; go for the parties; go for the bacchanal atmosphere of Fat Tuesday.
www.nola.com
 

China: Spring Festival and Lantern Festival
February 7-21
The Spring Festival marks the most important festival on the Chinese calendar, and as China follows a lunar calendar, the dates change every year on the Roman calendar. This year, it begins on February 7, and lasts until the Lantern Festival 15 days later, which is the big end-of-year festival. It's a very family-oriented time of year, but a great time to visit China. If you can't do that, check out what your local Chinatown has planned.
www.travelchinaguide.com
 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Carnaval
February 2-5
The Granddaddy of all Carnivals, the Rio Carnaval is known worldwide for its color, its sensuous atmosphere, its revelry, and its bevy of scantily clad women jiggling what their momma gave them. There is a whole bunch of activity going on in Rio during these days, but what has made the Rio Carnival a global icon is the Samba Parade, held on Carnival Sunday and Monday. And while Carnaval is celebrated throughout Brazil, Rio is the uncontested champion of the festival.
rio-carnival.net
 

Venice, Italy: Carnevale
February 8
Bring your mask, expect hedonism and wild partying for ten days. Carnevale in Venice has quite a reputation, since its inception in the 1200s! Get costumed up and head to Piazza San Marco, the center of activity during the event. Parades, parties, concerts, costume competition, acrobats, clowns, fireworks ... you name it, they do it. The biggest bash of all is the masked ball, Il Ballo del Doge, at the beautiful Palazzo Pisani Moretta.
www.italyarttrips.com