Here in Germany Carnival, Fasnacht, Fasching are big events, at least in parts of Germany. From what I know, all that is left of it in England are pancake races on Shrove Tuesday. Reformation has killed off Carnival there. How is it like in your corner of the world? And has anyone of you ever seen Carnival in Germany?
Some over-pious Christians think that Carnival is sinful. I don't. Have you got any opinion on the topic?
I think it's mostly just a Latin and German thing, not really practiced even in Catholic traditions in Africa and Asia. In my distant observation it's a cultural practice now, completely divorced from any religious significance. The Anglo world still celebrates Mardi Gras, but I'm going to guess fewer and fewer people of faith participate in any Mardi Gras celebrations every year as it becomes increasingly secular and appropriated by the LGBT movement. For what my personal view of it is, everyone just gets a little bit too close, too festive and too colourful. We Anglicans appreciate our distance and our misery. Leave the merriment for birthdays, weddings and Christmas - we haven't much capacity for any more fun than that.
Btw: Carnival is not really a Catholic thing. On the contrary, it used to be a rebellion against the Catholic Church.