--and other Mardi Gras festivities

There's no better time of year to visit the quaint city of Quebec than in the middle of winter, when thousands of families have a good time over two weekends.

And don't worry if you don't parlez francais: English is widely spoken, especially in the tourist sector.

2006 is the 52st year of the "Mr. Christie's Québec Winter Carnival", with night parades, snow sculptures, music performances, ice castle, snow rafting, and much more. Dates are January 27 to February 12, 2006.

• read more about Carnival de Quebec .

Of course Quebec isn't the only place celebrating Carnival...

Carnival, or Mardi Gras, is a tradition in Catholic areas around the world: a last burst of good times before the sobering weeks of Lent (leading up to Easter.)

The Quebec Carnival is, however, the world's largest winter celebration. Some of the warmer-climate festivities are family-friendly too: even the famous Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

• read about this year's New Orleans Mardi Gras, with parades from February 18 to 28; and see especially Mardi Gras for Kids
• read about Mardi Gras celebrations around the world
• and -- definitely popular with families-- read about Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, which takes place on multiple weekends in Feb. to April