24-hour party places: The world's funkiest festivals

If your Saturday-night shindigs aren’t what they used to be, if ‘party’ means the same old people and same old places, it might be time to spread your wings. We'’ve chosen five of the best festivals and parties you’ll find anywhere, from the techno throbfest of Berlin’s Love Parade to the classic carnivals in Rio and New Orleans.

Mardi Gras, New Orleans

Where, when and why:

The ubiquitous beads, booze and breasts that abound on Bourbon Street belie the fact that Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) is essentially a Christian festival taking place during the two weeks preceding Lent and culminating on Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is a global celebration: among the more renowned pre-Lent party practitioners are Venice, Bahia, Mazatlán and, of course, Rio.

What goes on:

The floats, weather permitting, parade around the city, but the revellers instinctively head for the French Quarter and Bourbon Street at its heart. The long, narrow street (the French colonial architecture is something to behold), flanked by bars, clubs and restaurants, grinds to a halt as thousands of often semi-naked drinkers pack the streets and overhanging balconies.

Top tip:

If your purse or wallet can stretch to it, the balconies are where it's at. From here, you can look down at the proles and dangle 'party favours': strings of plastic beads given in exchange for a quick peek at the recipient's peaks, so to speak. The more beads around their necks, the more flesh flashed.

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